Monte Pride is a Michigan-born, Michigan-based folk singer-songwriter and fingerstyle guitarist. His rich tenor voice and accomplished guitar technique make him sound older than his years, but the enthusiasm he brings to the music and performance is all youthful, impassioned, and healing energy. His powerful ability to communicate wholeheartedly shines through in his writing, every phrase weaving and winding to form a complex array of soul stirring song. Monte draws inspiration from long-time trailblazing musicians like Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, and Nick Drake, along with contemporary folk genre-benders like The Tallest Man On Earth, The Avett Brothers, and Frontier Ruckus.
After releasing two well-received EPs, "Hollows on High" (2014) and "The Soul Sender" (2015), Monte released his first full-length album, "Hawthorne Morning Sound", in the Fall of 2016. Working with engineer and producer Elan Dantus at Big Sky Recording in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Monte compiled twelve original songs to showcase his evolving songwriting talents and musical direction. Focusing on honest storytelling and vivid lyricism, his new release “Hawthorne Morning Sound” blends swelling cello, shimmering electric guitar, wistful lap steel riffs, lively banjo lines, and mellow acoustics with delicate, stirring vocals to bring songs of love, loss, and longing to life. The album was met with a sold out show at The Robin Theatre in Lansing, Michigan, and much acclaim from local press.
Monte has been performing in Michigan for the past five years, since he was a senior in high-school, growing a strong local and regional following. He has shared stages with notable touring acts including The Cactus Blossoms, Rocky Votolato, Mutual Benefit, The Bones of JR Jones, and Florist, along with Michigan favorites like Luke Winslow King, Michigander, Breathe Owl Breathe, The Ragbirds, Gifts or Creatures, Timothy Monger, Sam Corbin, Brian Koenigsknecht, Watching for Foxes, Michelle Held, and The Rupple Brothers, among others. Monte has performed frequently at Lansing venues like The Robin Theatre, Broad Art Museum, Mac’s Bar, Turner-Dodge House, and The Old Town General Store, with recent growth outside of his local scene & within it, booking performances at the Ten Pound Fiddle Concert Series, River's Edge Brewing (Milford, MI), Long Road Distillers (Grand Rapids, MI), Plymouth Coffee Bean, and Louie’s Back Room (Kalamazoo, MI). He has also played local and regional festivals including Earthwork Harvest Gathering, Holler Fest, Ann Arbor Summer Festival, Pumpstock, Americana Music Festival (Acorn Theater), Handmade Music Festival, Riverscene Indie Music Festival, Dunesville, Farmfest, Pond Jam, Capital City Film Festival, Stoopfest,
and EastXEast Lansing.
In addition to his musical ventures, Monte began giving back to his local, Lansing community in Summer 2017, independently organizing the “Songs for Sustainability” Festival in Old Town Lansing, held in the Old Town General Store’s courtyard. The event focused on building and engaging community, and celebrating the importance of environmental awareness and sustainable practice around music. The Rupple Brothers & Company, The Dangling Participles, The Stump Brothers, Jim Jersey, and Sea Bridson shared songs through the afternoon. The festival also featured multiple vendors who produce sustainably and environmental awareness groups. These included Mystical Makings, Urbandale Farm, Rust Belt Roastery, and Oh Mi Organics, with the Sierra Club, MSU Community Sustainability, MSU Greener Together, and Go Green Trikes represented to share their message. The event was free, with all encouraged donations benefiting “Music is the Foundation”, a local non-profit that funds local music programs in schools and the community, bringing instruments and joy to those who may not have opportunities otherwise.
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Condensed Bio:
Monte Pride is a Michigan-born, Michigan-based singer-songwriter & fingerstyle guitarist whose songs recall the delicate vocals of Simon & Garfunkel, with guitar-work reminiscent of Nick Drake and The Tallest Man on Earth. He blends haunting melodies with vivid lyricism, bringing stories of love, loss, and longing to life in a complex array of healing, soul stirring song.
After releasing two well-received EPs, "Hollows on High" (2014) and "The Soul Sender" (2015), Monte released his first full-length album, "Hawthorne Morning Sound", in the Fall of 2016. Working with engineer and producer Elan Dantus at Big Sky Recording in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Monte compiled twelve original songs to showcase his evolving songwriting talents and musical direction. Focusing on honest storytelling and vivid lyricism, his new release “Hawthorne Morning Sound” blends swelling cello, shimmering electric guitar, wistful lap steel riffs, lively banjo lines, and mellow acoustics with delicate, stirring vocals to bring songs of love, loss, and longing to life. The album was met with a sold out show at The Robin Theatre in Lansing, Michigan, and much acclaim from local press.
Monte has been performing in Michigan for the past five years, since he was a senior in high-school, growing a strong local and regional following. He has shared stages with notable touring acts including The Cactus Blossoms, Rocky Votolato, Mutual Benefit, The Bones of JR Jones, and Florist, along with Michigan favorites like Luke Winslow King, Michigander, Breathe Owl Breathe, The Ragbirds, Gifts or Creatures, Timothy Monger, Sam Corbin, Brian Koenigsknecht, Watching for Foxes, Michelle Held, and The Rupple Brothers, among others. Monte has performed frequently at Lansing venues like The Robin Theatre, Broad Art Museum, Mac’s Bar, Turner-Dodge House, and The Old Town General Store, with recent growth outside of his local scene & within it, booking performances at the Ten Pound Fiddle Concert Series, River's Edge Brewing (Milford, MI), Long Road Distillers (Grand Rapids, MI), Plymouth Coffee Bean, and Louie’s Back Room (Kalamazoo, MI). He has also played local and regional festivals including Earthwork Harvest Gathering, Holler Fest, Ann Arbor Summer Festival, Pumpstock, Americana Music Festival (Acorn Theater), Handmade Music Festival, Riverscene Indie Music Festival, Dunesville, Farmfest, Pond Jam, Capital City Film Festival, Stoopfest,
and EastXEast Lansing.
In addition to his musical ventures, Monte began giving back to his local, Lansing community in Summer 2017, independently organizing the “Songs for Sustainability” Festival in Old Town Lansing, held in the Old Town General Store’s courtyard. The event focused on building and engaging community, and celebrating the importance of environmental awareness and sustainable practice around music. The Rupple Brothers & Company, The Dangling Participles, The Stump Brothers, Jim Jersey, and Sea Bridson shared songs through the afternoon. The festival also featured multiple vendors who produce sustainably and environmental awareness groups. These included Mystical Makings, Urbandale Farm, Rust Belt Roastery, and Oh Mi Organics, with the Sierra Club, MSU Community Sustainability, MSU Greener Together, and Go Green Trikes represented to share their message. The event was free, with all encouraged donations benefiting “Music is the Foundation”, a local non-profit that funds local music programs in schools and the community, bringing instruments and joy to those who may not have opportunities otherwise.
__________________________________________________
Condensed Bio:
Monte Pride is a Michigan-born, Michigan-based singer-songwriter & fingerstyle guitarist whose songs recall the delicate vocals of Simon & Garfunkel, with guitar-work reminiscent of Nick Drake and The Tallest Man on Earth. He blends haunting melodies with vivid lyricism, bringing stories of love, loss, and longing to life in a complex array of healing, soul stirring song.
