by Candace Parker-Dickerson
The term “monsoon” brings many thoughts to mind, mainly storms and chaos. So for three-piece indie punk band, Monsoon, the name that originated from the first song they ever wrote together, is a perfect fit. With a firecracker of a front woman, unyieldingly in-your-face songs, and explosive, raw energy, this band is anything but calm and quiet.
Hailing from Athens, Georgia, the band originally came together in 2013 for an Elliott Smith Tribute before forming Monsoon. Since then, lead guitarist / vocalist Sienna Chandler, drummer Joey Kegel, and bassist / vocalist, Scott Andrews, have created a unique and captivating sound all their own, drawing comparisons to other groundbreaking bands like No Doubt. And though the band has cited St. Vincent, The Pixies, and Of Montreal as some of their influences, Kegel said, “We all feel like we’re playing something that doesn’t take too much influence from other artists. It’s really a product of our own.”
After releasing their debut album Ride A’Rolla in January 2015, the band not only gained new listeners in
their hometown, but were listed as one of Yahoo Music’s “25 Singer-Songwriters Under 25 to Watch” this March, as well as being named The Blue Indian’s “Band of the Month” in February.
The first single from their debut album, also titled “Ride A’Rolla” is a Japanese-infused, pop-punk concoction that is sure to have listeners singing along with its catchy chorus, not to mention mesmerized by the impressive music video for the track.
When asked about the inspiration behind the song, Chandler said, “I’ve always had a fascination with Japanese culture. I think it’s beautiful and I love the traditions. So I learned a little bit of the language and it just felt right with the song. So I put some Japanese lyrics in there about the car of the future.”
As for the single’s action-packed music video, which was shot in one take, Kegel said, “They [creative directors] thought the song had a very constant flow and wanted to express that in the video.”
Now, after developing a strong fan base in their home state, the band will be stopping in Oxford to play their first show outside of Georgia on Wednesday, April 8th, at local hot spot, The Blind Pig.
And just in case anyone is wondering what to expect at the band’s live show, Chandler gives a fair warning. “We never play two shows the same,” she said. “We like to do a lot of theatrics because it’s fun for us and it’s also for the audience. But I feel like our shows are pretty wild! So expect chaos and something insane!”
Be sure to check them out while you have the chance. 
