Four score

The Loneliest Monk

Base: Ukrainian Village, Pilsen
Experience: Hideout, Empty Bottle, Beat Kitchen, Whistler
“Cute meets badass” is the description one of The Loneliest Monk’s friends coined for the band. We certainly can’t think of a better summary for this costumed and heavily theatrical cello-and-drums experimental rock duo. Comprising vocalist-cellist-keyboardist Michelle Morales, 26, and drummer-vocalist Miles Benjamin, 24, the group—whose full-length debut comes out this summer—offers an undeniably unique experience on stage, Morales says. “There’s no one like us. We create a full sound without the use of a guitar.” To win their way onto the Rock ‘n’ Vote stage, the band reached out via all possible social networking sites, and Benjamin drew plenty of intrigued glances at last Friday’s LaSalle Power Co. Sneak Peek party by walking around in the trademark mask he wears on stage. But don’t think the eccentric band is all about visuals. This is heady, original and arty music. As Morales says, “Every single note we discuss millions of times.”

Listen: “You Don’t Have to Try”

Read about all four bands Metromix readers chose to play the Rock 'n' Vote show

Look back on all 10 finalists for Rock 'n' Vote 2009