A B o u t
Little Rock AR - Husband and wife multi-instrumental duo who charm audiences one stage at a time. Their music fills the space between indie pop and alternative blues rock, combining old instrumentation with new production elements. Their show embraces the energy of Sonny and Cher, with light-hearted banter and energy that can only come from still being love-sick fools after 17 years of marriage. The pair have graced the stages of Nashville to Austin, from 40-person SoFar Sounds shows to events with over 10,000 attendants.
Chris Long was raised on the blues of the Delta South, picking up every instrument in those garage rock jam sessions. Veronica Wirges is a classically trained saxophonist and pianist, with a love for world music percussion. It is as odd of a match, musically, as you could marry. So that is what they did, quite literally. They met, fell in love, and said I do.
Veronica feels a kinship with the quirkiness and sonic complexity of antique instruments, such as a 100-year-old 5-ft-tall bass saxophone and a 1930s Silvertone Accordion. While Chris harnesses the warmth of vintage keys and guitars from the 1960s-1990s. By integrating these iconic sounds with the modern-day intermingling of genres, world percussion, and found sound samples for beat making, they create their signature vibe.
As straight-passing members of the LGBT+ community, they find themselves with a foot in two worlds. Their work is centered around the journey of finding happiness and truth in a world clinging to labels. Their music speaks to hopeless romantics, band nerds, and creative spirits.
In Central Arkansas, the couple has hosted events highlighting queer creatives at venues such as The Rev Room and Stickyz Fingers. Providing a safe space for not just artists like themselves, but also for vulnerable gay and ally teens in the South. Inspired by the deficit of support they had as young artists, they seek to support and educate fellow creatives. They present workshops through the Arkansas Arts Council, the only state-funded arts agency, and Mid-America Arts Alliance, a regional, arts nonprofit organization.
Monsterboy LIVES started releasing singles in 2018. During the pandemic, like most musicians who relied heavily on performance income, they found themselves looking to connect and create in different spaces. They entertained up to 7,000 viewers a night via livestreaming from their living room for 60 days during the shutdown. In 2020, the duo wrote a collection of horror songs for the NPR affiliate podcast: Arts and Letters.
In 2022, they signed a selection of songs for licensing representation with various agents. In December, a collection of four songs was released by the music licensing house APM (part of Universal Music Group) under the label Kinetik Musik. The couple has been featured in an MTV.com article. They performed as semifinalists in the premier statewide competition, The Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase. They are Sally A. Williams Grant recipients, Artist INC Fellows, and members of the Arts on Tour program.
*** Booking note - Monsterboy LIVES offers both full productions of electric and lower key acoustic sets. This flexibility opens them up to entertaining at festivals, venues, events, and breweries. The eclectic selection of covers is reimagined in their signature style. While the duo's originals are represented in music libraries and are currently being pitched to tv and film placements, it's a great time to hear a song before it becomes famous. MBL's music is for Beck, The Black Keys, and Morphine fans.
Chris Long was raised on the blues of the Delta South, picking up every instrument in those garage rock jam sessions. Veronica Wirges is a classically trained saxophonist and pianist, with a love for world music percussion. It is as odd of a match, musically, as you could marry. So that is what they did, quite literally. They met, fell in love, and said I do.
Veronica feels a kinship with the quirkiness and sonic complexity of antique instruments, such as a 100-year-old 5-ft-tall bass saxophone and a 1930s Silvertone Accordion. While Chris harnesses the warmth of vintage keys and guitars from the 1960s-1990s. By integrating these iconic sounds with the modern-day intermingling of genres, world percussion, and found sound samples for beat making, they create their signature vibe.
As straight-passing members of the LGBT+ community, they find themselves with a foot in two worlds. Their work is centered around the journey of finding happiness and truth in a world clinging to labels. Their music speaks to hopeless romantics, band nerds, and creative spirits.
In Central Arkansas, the couple has hosted events highlighting queer creatives at venues such as The Rev Room and Stickyz Fingers. Providing a safe space for not just artists like themselves, but also for vulnerable gay and ally teens in the South. Inspired by the deficit of support they had as young artists, they seek to support and educate fellow creatives. They present workshops through the Arkansas Arts Council, the only state-funded arts agency, and Mid-America Arts Alliance, a regional, arts nonprofit organization.
Monsterboy LIVES started releasing singles in 2018. During the pandemic, like most musicians who relied heavily on performance income, they found themselves looking to connect and create in different spaces. They entertained up to 7,000 viewers a night via livestreaming from their living room for 60 days during the shutdown. In 2020, the duo wrote a collection of horror songs for the NPR affiliate podcast: Arts and Letters.
In 2022, they signed a selection of songs for licensing representation with various agents. In December, a collection of four songs was released by the music licensing house APM (part of Universal Music Group) under the label Kinetik Musik. The couple has been featured in an MTV.com article. They performed as semifinalists in the premier statewide competition, The Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase. They are Sally A. Williams Grant recipients, Artist INC Fellows, and members of the Arts on Tour program.
*** Booking note - Monsterboy LIVES offers both full productions of electric and lower key acoustic sets. This flexibility opens them up to entertaining at festivals, venues, events, and breweries. The eclectic selection of covers is reimagined in their signature style. While the duo's originals are represented in music libraries and are currently being pitched to tv and film placements, it's a great time to hear a song before it becomes famous. MBL's music is for Beck, The Black Keys, and Morphine fans.
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MusicMid TN Music: "Monsterboy delivers infectious and uplifting song arrangements which will stick with you long after each song ends. "
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: "first single, the fiercely catchy, radio friendly "My Heart," UALR NPR Tiny Desk:"Chris Long and Veronica Wirges of Little Rock, who combine smart, original vocals with powerful sax music." Sweet Yellow Cornbread Blog: "Their passion for music makes my heart smile. " |
upcoming shows |
Social MediaWebsite: monsterboylives.com
facebook.com/monsterboylives instagram.com/monsterboylives youtube.com/monsterboylives DiscographyAll songs have been released as singles - however they are grouped by the experience that inspired them.
'Roo Sessions: 2019 Flux Sessions: 2019 ATX Sessions: 2018 Nashville Sessions: 2018 |
HighlightsArts on Tour 2020 Roaster Member: Vetted Artists for performance and classes for the Arts on Tour Grant Program
Sally A. Williams Artists Fund: three time grant awarded by the Arkansas Arts Council AFEA: Member and 2019 Showcase Artist Ari Herstand Take Academy: Fellows of College Booking and Streaming Growth Courses Reverbnation: Senior Curated Artists and selected for Artist Feature Artist Inc Argenta: Mid America Arts Alliance 2018 fellows Think Big Little Rock 2017:Art and Culture Development think tank sponsored by Little Rock Chamber of Commerce and 50 for the Future. |
