Keith Monacchio

In September 2008, Keith Monacchio, formally of the bands The Commons and The Semibeings officially launched a standalone career.
The Long Evening, his first solo record, was released in 2010 to stellar reviews and the album ended up on several year-end “Best Of” lists. Not only did it come in at number 12 in the best release of the decade” in Gary Wien’s book, Are You Listening-The Top 100 Albums of 2001-2010 from New Jersey Artists, but it was also praised by established music writers such as Jim Testa from Jersey Beat. Jim says, “Like a good book, Keith Monacchio’s songs drag you into his world and introduce you to unforgettable characters, however gray and unwelcoming that world may seem.”
Jay Lustig from The Star-Ledger also chimed in with his own insights when he said, “Gracefully melodic songs about life, love and dealing with the real world, with flashes of confidence but also moments of great vulnerability.”
In 2012, Monacchio released Tips, Drinks and Gas Money as an EP. Built in fan favorite “Coffee House” which got an Honorable Mention in the "Songdoor 2012 International Songwriting Contest" in the singer/songwriter category and was also a finalist in the 2013 “Philadelphia Songwriters Project Songwriting Contest”.

John Pfeiffer from The Aquarian Weekly said “Keith Monacchio is a guy who will leave his mark on our collective music history.”

His latest offering is called The Dust-Up. Comprised of 10 exciting and intimately composed songs. The Dust-Up is yet another Sean Glonek production that pulls the absolute best out of Monacchio’s very soul. The Dust-Up is some of Monacchio’s best music ever. His working relationship with Glonek is the perfect blend of songwriting craftsmanship and technical prowess. Warm and toned songs such as “Angels on the Horizon”, “Saber-Tooth Tiger” & “The Wheat Field” show the emotionally charged method of Monacchio and his lyrical accomplishments. Monacchio and crew of top-notch players including Jay Walker on bass, Tom Kale on drums, Jerry Steele on pedal Steel, churn across the vast open plains to get the listener to their personal salvation.
Other songs such as the wildly popular “The Bridge”, “Where You Live, I Live” to the confessional “Allenhurst” & “Bad Girlfriend” tear straight across the aural path to find individual power and success and bury themselves right in the heart of the listener.
Another fantastic song packed with excellent arrangements and horns aplenty is “A Little More Time,” a robust and swinging song in the traditional vein of Booker T and The MG’s. Filled with a blues swagger and soul-based feel, Monacchio also covers the bases on acoustic-based numbers as well. Songs such as “Million to One Shot” present Keith as the troubadour he truly is, delivering verse after introspective verse of lyrical prose. Trading harmonica riffs with acoustic guitar magic, Monacchio provides folkie goodness in the traditional style of the masters.
The Dust-Up closes with the track “I Won’t Give Up. A song about unwavering faith in oneself. This record runs the gamut when it comes to musical styles and sounds. From rock-based compositions to alternative sounds and spins on folk and down home blues, Keith and crew weave an extremely addictive tapestry of musical worth.