Monowhales
| Company type | Independent |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2017 |
| Headquarters | Toronto , Canada |
| Products | Music albums, singles, EPs |
Number of employees | 3 (at disbandment) (2024) |
MONOWHALES (presented in all caps) was an alternative rock group hailing from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Initially known as Ginger Ale & the Monowhales, the ensemble featured lead singer Sally Shaar, drummer Jordan Circosta, and guitarist Zach Zanardo.
Their discography includes two full-length albums: Daytona Bleach released in 2020 and Tunnel Vision in 2022. The 2019 single "RWLYD (Really Wanna Let You Down)" made history on Canadian radio by becoming the highest-ranking track by an independent artist, peaking at number two on the Canadian Alternative Rock Chart.
At the 2022 Juno Awards, MONOWHALES were honored with the Breakthrough Group of the Year title. On April 9, 2024, they declared their official disbandment.
History
The band began as Ginger Ale & the Monowhales and debuted in 2017 with the single "Take It Back," produced by Al-P from MSTRKRFT. This track reached number 25 on the Mediabase Canada Alternative Rock Chart. In June 2018, they released a six-track EP titled Control Freak. Three songs from this EP were featured in Netflix’s 2020 series Spinning Out, which also included a cameo appearance by the band.
Following an extensive touring schedule throughout 2018, they collaborated with British Columbia producer Ryan Worsley to create new music. Their September 2019 single "RWLYD (Really Wanna Let You Down)" received widespread airplay on Canadian alternative radio, climbing to number two on the Mediabase chart—an unprecedented feat for an independent group. During their nationwide tour in 2019, they dedicated two weeks at Worsley’s Echoplant Studios to record their debut album. On July 30, 2020, synth player Holly Jamieson departed to pursue a career in music therapy, after which the band continued as a trio.
Their first album, Daytona Bleach, was released on March 5, 2021. Due to restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, promotional efforts focused on storefront displays and guerrilla-style projections around Toronto. Later that year, MONOWHALES issued a cover of Nine Inch Nails’ "The Hand That Feeds" and revealed that their label TRUE Records had secured a distribution agreement with Warner Music Canada.
In early 2022, MONOWHALES announced a national tour supporting Mother Mother alongside releasing the single "CTRL^^^" ahead of their autumn album Tunnel Vision. That same year, they earned the Juno Award for Breakthrough Group of the Year and performed at prominent festivals such as Osheaga, Festival d'été de Québec, and Hillside Festival before embarking on a cross-Canada headlining tour.
During summer 2023, the band appeared at Ottawa Bluesfest and joined Grandson as support on his Canadian tour. They also released the track "Hear Me Out" and announced a combined USA and Canada tour scheduled for fall 2023.
On April 9, 2024, MONOWHALES officially announced their breakup, attributing it to an inability to realize their initial artistic vision but indicating that members have "exciting endeavours ahead."
Members
Former
- Sally Shaar – lead vocals (2017–2024)
- Zach Zanardo – guitar, bass, synthesizer, backing vocals (2017–2024)
- Jordan Circosta – drums, percussion, synthesizer, backing vocals (2017–2024)
- Holly Jamieson – synthesizer, backing vocals (2017–2020)
Touring
- Dylan Burrett – bass, backing vocals (2022–2024)
- Gina Kennedy – bass, backing vocals (2021–2022)
Studio albums
| Album Title | Release Information |
|---|---|
| Daytona Bleach |
|
| Tunnel Vision |
|
EPs
| EP Title | Release Details |
|---|---|
| Control Freak |
|
| Who's There to Hear Me Out? |
|
Singles
| Title | Release Year | Highest Chart Position on CAN alt. |
Associated Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAN alt. | |||
| "Take It Back" | 2017 | 25 | Control Freak (EP) |
| "Real Love" | 2018 | 31 | |
| "Let It Go" | 32 | ||
| "RWLYD (Really Wanna Let You Down)" | 2019 | 2 | Daytona Bleach |
| "All or Nothing" | 2020 | 6 | |
| "Out with the Old" | 2021 | 5 | |
| "The Hand That Feeds" (Nine Inch Nails cover) | 30 | Template:Non-album single | |
| "CTRL^^^" | 2022 | 8 | Tunnel Vision |
| "Song 2" (Blur cover) | 2023 | — | Template:Non-album single |
| "Hear Me Out" | 10 | Who's There to Hear Me Out? (EP) | |
| "Backbone" | — |
Other charted songs
| Song Title | Year Released | Peak Position on CAN alt. |
Album Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAN alt. | |||
| "StuckInTheMiddle" | 2022 | 22 | Tunnel Vision |
| "RICH$$$" | 2023 | 7 |
Awards and nominations
| Year Awarded | Awarding Body | Category of Award | Recipient or Work Recognized | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Canadian Music Week | Jim Beam INDIES Award for Best Alternative Artist or Group of the Year | MONOWHALES | Winner |
| 2019 | Forest City London Music Awards | Ontario Indie Recording Artist of the Year | MONOWHALES | Winner |
| 2022 | Juno Award | Breakthrough Group of the Year | MONOWHALES | Template:Won |
External links
- Musical ensembles formed in 2017
- Toronto-based musical acts
- 2017 Ontario establishments
- Musical acts disbanded in 2024
- 2024 Ontario disbandments
- Canadian alternative rock bands
- Juno Award recipients for Breakthrough Group of the Year
- Musical groups led by female vocalists
- Musical groups disestablished in 2024