Monarchy (band)
| Company type | Musical duo |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
| Products | Electronic music, albums, singles, remixes |
Monarchy was an electronic music duo originating from Australia but based in the United Kingdom, composed of Andrew Armstrong (producer, DJ) and Ra Black (vocals, lyricist). Initially performing under the name Milke, the pair produced four full-length albums alongside two extended plays.
History
In November 2009, Monarchy earned recognition as The Guardian website's "Band of the Day." Their first single, "Gold in the Fire," was launched on 1 February 2010 through Neon Gold Records. They crafted remixes for a variety of artists such as Ellie Goulding, Kelis, Lady Gaga, Marina and the Diamonds, Jamiroquai, Kylie Minogue, and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark.
Their inaugural live performance was uniquely transmitted into space from Cape Canaveral in June 2010. They appeared at prominent UK venues including XOYO and HMV Forum, as well as performing at festivals like The Big Chill, Sweden's Popaganda, Bestival, Eurosonic in the Netherlands, Cannes' Midem, Coachella, Hay Festival, Melt!, and Together Winter Music Festival held at Alexandra Palace.
Following their signing with Mercury Records in February 2010, Monarchy intended to release their debut album that August. However, after being dropped by Mercury a few months later, the album's release was canceled. Eventually, it was issued on 11 July 2011 by the independent label 100% Records under the title Around the Sun, featuring an updated tracklist. The album received mixed critical reception but secured the fourteenth spot on Popjustice’s top albums of 2011. Their song "The Phoenix Alive" was featured in EA Sports' video game FIFA 12.
The single "Disintegration," which included Neo-Burlesque artist Dita Von Teese, became available digitally on 14 January 2013. Later, "Living Without You" was released on 28 April 2014. The Almost Human EP premiered exclusively on Vibe’s website before its official release on 8 September 2014. Their sophomore studio album, Abnocto, came out on 6 March 2015 through Hacan Sounds and was preceded by the single "Dancing in the Corner."
On 27 April 2015, Armstrong revealed Monarchy had disbanded but confirmed they reconciled and resumed touring and producing new material by June of that year.
Monarchy also collaborated with electronic musician Karma Fields on the track "Faint Echoes" from his album New Age | Dark Age, released on 2 March 2016.
On 6 August 2021, the duo announced their second dissolution coinciding with the release of their latest album SYZYGY.
Studio albums
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Around the Sun |
|
| Abnocto |
|
| Mid:Night |
|
Extended plays
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Almost Human |
|
| Re|Vision |
|
Singles
| Title | Release Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Gold in the Fire" | 2010 | Around the Sun |
| "The Phoenix Alive" | ||
| "Love Get Out of My Way" | ||
| "I Won't Let Go" | 2011 | |
| "Maybe I'm Crazy" | ||
| "You Don't Want to Dance with Me" (feat. Britt Love) | ||
| "Disintegration" (feat. Dita Von Teese) |
2013 | Abnocto |
| "Living Without You" | 2014 | |
| "Dancing in the Corner" | 2015 | |
| "Hula Hoop 8000" | 2016 | Mid:Night |
| "MidNight" | ||
| "Dance Like Hell" | Non-album single | |
| "Deep Cut" | 2018 | Mid:Night |
| "Back to the Start" | 2019 | |
| "Glow Vision" | Non-album singles | |
| "Just Give Me Your Love" | 2020 |
Music videos
| Title | Year Released | Director(s) |
|---|---|---|
| "The Phoenix Alive" | 2010 | Nils Porrmann |
| "Love Get Out of My Way" | Price James | |
| "I Won't Let Go" | 2011 | Roy Raz |
| "You Don't Want to Dance with Me" (feat. Britt Love) |
Ramy Dance | |
| "Disintegration" (feat. Dita Von Teese) |
2013 | Roy Raz |
| "Living Without You" | 2014 | Jimmy Ahlander and Robin Antiga |
| "Almost Human" | Matthew Daily Young | |
| "The Beautiful Ones" | Maud Regnault and Thomas Blanchard | |
| "Dancing in the Corner" | 2015 | Ch. Martínez |
| "Black Widow" | Ross McElwain and Manos Ioannou | |
| "Fractured World" | Rosie Roche | |
| "Girls & Boys" (feat. Dita Von Teese) |
Andrew Armstrong | |
| "Hula Hoop 8000" | 2017 | Virgili Jubero |
| "MidNight" | 2018 | Alberto Van Stokkum |
| "Back to the Start" | 2019 | Mar del Corral |
Remixes
| Track Title | Year Issued | Original Artist |
|---|---|---|
| "She Needs Me" (Monarchy Black Galaxy Remix) | 2010 | Fyfe Dangerfield |
| "Hollywood" (Monarchy 'Gliese Remix') | Marina and the Diamonds | |
| "Acapella" (Monarchy Urania Club Mix) | Kelis | |
| "Starry Eyed" (Monarchy 'The Horse Head Nebular' Remix) | Ellie Goulding | |
| "Dance in the Dark" (Monarchy 'Stylites' Remix) | Lady Gaga | |
| "White Knuckle Ride" (Monarchy Remix) | Jamiroquai | |
| "Sister Marie Says" (Monarchy Twin Galaxies Remix) | Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark | |
| "Better than Today" (Monarchy 'Kylie Through the Wormhole' Remix) | Kylie Minogue | |
| "Mantra Mania" (Monarchy Remix) | 2016 | S'Express |