13 The Mockingbird Song

10 She'll Be Alright

09 Monkeythumb

08 Califonialabama

07 In The Wind

06 Baton Rouge

05 Beating Dead Horses

04 Girl Might Do

03 Can't Say No

02 Enough

01 Bodacious

Mojo Monkeys - A Labor Of Love

Mojo Monkeys are three highly respected Los Angeles musicians: singer/drummer David Raven, bassist Taras Prodaniuk and guitarist Billy Watts.

Collectively, they’ve logged time in the studio and onstage with such notable artists as: Lucinda Williams, Keith Richards, Norah Jones, Dwight Yoakum, Bonnie Raitt, June Carter Cash, Mike Ness,Steve Jones (Sex Pistols), Dixie Chicks, Geoff Muldaur, John Trudell, Richard Thompson, Jim Lauderdale, Peter Himmelman, Buck Owens, T-Bone Burnett, The Meat Puppets and many, many more.

Initially connecting with each other via the L.A. music scene, they were drawn together through mutual respect for each other as players and as people. Playing together in a band was the logical next step for combining their great musical and personal empathy.

“When we started, we immediately noticed our musical chemistry was the most natural thing” says David Raven. “We wrote 25 songs for the album” he continues, “recorded about 20. When we tried to make it into an album, the title, Blessings & Curses, seemed to be the only theme that ran through the whole project. These songs are all pure expressions of moments; some are so different, they didn't seem to belong on the same record. After wrestling with it for a few months we just said, ‘we like all these 13 songs’, so we put them in the order we liked listening to them.”

The Mojo Monkeys are stellar players, each with a personal style that lovingly collides in a unique musical gumbo deeply rooted in the Louisiana bayou. Eclectic and fearlessly adventurous, their songs are soulful and authentic, with funny provocative lyrics and grooves that make you want to jump up and do the boogaloo. This is a project that comes out of love for the music, and it shows.

In the last few weeks, we were in the top 5 added to americana radio. this week, number 60 on the roots music chart: http://www.rootsmusicreport.com/index.php?page=statechart&state=CA

Early reviews for blessings & curses:

   "From straight ahead rock 'n roll to demented and dirty country blues to what could almost pass as modern country but is too damn good to be called that. I mean, sheee-ittt! What rock did these guys crawl out from under?" --Rock and Reprise

   "The songs of Blessings and Curses are soulful and authentic but there’s also an element of fun and a groove to the songs that make you think these guys wouldn’t mind if you were dancing while they sing of unrequited love and misfortune. The Mojo Monkeys are stellar players, each with personal style that lovingly collides in a unique musical gumbo…This is a bloody great album which I'm thoroughly enjoying listening to and you should do yourselves a favour and purchase a copy" --Beast of Bourbon 

    "The 13 songs that comprise “Blessings & Curses” express a decade’s worth of political and personal frustrations over insistent rhythms throbbing with blues, rock, psychedelia, country rock and zydeco. The blessings include the evocative folk-blues of “Baton Rouge” and metaphorical ballad “The Mockingbird Song,” dedicated to “the sirens in the City of the Angels.” --Pasadena Weekly

   "If you like your rock 'n roll literate but greasy, and pegging the needle on the different meter, you need to check these guys out right now! It's been 10 years between CDs, but boy, it was worth the wait!" --Page Hite

    “Three roots session cats that have played with all the headliners know this is a busman's holiday and have fun jamming out on originals that reflect their gritty take on roots music.”--Midwest Record

Mojo monkey songs have been used on a variety of TV shows including: Sons of Anarchy, One Tree Hill, Alias, and Parks and Recreation. 


mojomonkeys

Popular tracks