{{Short description|British-based Australian music duo}} {{Use British English|date=May 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Monarchy | image = Monarchy Palencia Sonora 2016 06.jpg | image_size = 250 | landscape = yes | caption = Monarchy performing at the Palencia Sonora festival in Palencia, Spain, June 2016 | alias = Milke | origin = London, England | genre = Synth-pop<ref name="hann"/> | years_active = 2009–2021 | label = {{hlist|Neon Gold|This Is Music|Mercury|Moda|100%|Monstercat}} | website = {{URL|http://www.monarchysound.com}} | current_members = * Andrew Armstrong * Ra Black }} '''Monarchy''' were a British-based Australian electronic music duo consisting of Andrew Armstrong (also known as Andrew "Friendly" Kornweibel; producer, DJ) and Ra Black (also known as Ra Khahn; vocals, lyrics).<ref>{{cite web |last=Lester |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Lester |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/jan/20/new-band-milke |title=New band of the week – No 467: Milke |work=The Guardian |date=20 January 2009 |access-date=1 July 2020}}</ref><ref name="independent">{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/revealed-why-the-hottest-new-bands-are-hiding-their-faces-1972725.html |title=Revealed: why the hottest new bands are hiding their faces |work=The Independent |date=14 May 2010 |access-date=31 May 2013}}</ref><ref name="musicomh">{{cite web |last=Hubbard |first=Michael |url=https://www.musicomh.com/features/interviews/interview-monarchy |title=Interview – Monarchy |website=musicOMH |date=16 September 2011 |access-date=31 May 2013}}</ref> Based in London,<ref>{{cite web |last=Cragg |first=Michael |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2011/apr/13/new-music-monarchy |title=New music: Monarchy – I Won't Let Go |work=The Guardian |date=13 April 2011 |access-date=15 August 2014}}</ref> the duo was previously known as Milke.<ref name="independent"/><ref name="musicomh"/> They have released four studio albums and two extended plays.
==History== In November 2009, Monarchy was featured as "Band of the Day" on ''The Guardian'' website.<ref name="newband">{{cite web |last=Lester |first=Paul |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/nov/27/new-band-monarchy |title=New band of the day – No 678: Monarchy |work=The Guardian |date=27 November 2009 |access-date=15 August 2014}}</ref> Monarchy's debut single "Gold in the Fire" was released on 1 February 2010 on Neon Gold Records, containing the B-side "Black, the Colour of My Heart".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://neongoldrecords.com/gold-013-monarchy/ |title=GOLD 013: MONARCHY |publisher=Neon Gold Records |date=25 January 2010 |access-date=15 August 2014}}</ref> They have created remixes for Ellie Goulding, Kelis, Lady Gaga, Marina and the Diamonds, Jamiroquai, Kylie Minogue, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark and Fyfe Dangerfield.<ref name="independent"/><ref name="musicomh"/>
Their first live show was broadcast into space from Cape Canaveral, Florida, in June 2010, making them the first band ever to perform live into space.<ref name="hann"/><ref>{{cite web |last=Saunders |first=Sam |url=http://www.contactmusic.com/album-review/monarchy-around-the-sun |title=Monarchy – Around the Sun Album Review |website=Contactmusic.com |date=1 August 2011 |access-date=31 May 2013}}</ref> They have since performed at various London and UK venues including XOYO and HMV Forum, and festivals including The Big Chill, Popaganda in Sweden, Bestival, Eurosonic Festival in the Netherlands, Midem in Cannes, as well as Paris, Dijon, Rouen, Amsterdam, and across Europe. In 2011 they performed at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Hay Festival and Melt! festival, amongst others. Monarchy played the Together Winter Music Festival in London at the Alexandra Palace on 26 November 2011.
After signing to Mercury Records in February 2010,<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.exacteditions.com/read/musicweek/20-03-10-6836/2/3 |title=The Playlist |magazine=Music Week |date=20 March 2010 |page=2 |issn=0265-1548 |access-date=31 May 2013 |via=Exact Editions |quote=Monarchy signed to Mercury last month...}}</ref> Monarchy was set to release their self-titled debut album that August.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://business.highbeam.com/411456/article-1G1-234213282/key-releases-140810 |title=Key Releases: 14.08.10. |work=Music Week |date=14 August 2010 |access-date=31 May 2013 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130629105009/http://business.highbeam.com/411456/article-1G1-234213282/key-releases-140810 |archivedate=29 June 2013}}</ref><ref name="empire">{{cite web |last=Empire |first=Kitty |author-link=Kitty Empire |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/aug/07/monarchy-around-the-sun-review |title=Monarchy: Around the Sun – review |work=The Observer |date=7 August 2011 |access-date=21 November 2014}}</ref> However, the duo were dropped by Mercury a few months later, and the album's release was cancelled.<ref name="hann">{{cite web |last=Michael |first=Hann |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/aug/04/monarchy-around-the-sun-review |title=Monarchy: Around the Sun – review |work=The Guardian |date=4 August 2011 |access-date=15 August 2014}}</ref><ref name="empire"/> Their debut album was ultimately released on 11 July 2011 by independent label 100% Records under a new title, ''Around the Sun'', with a slightly different track listing.<ref name="empire"/><ref name="Around the Sun">{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/around-the-sun/447842103 |title=Around the Sun by Monarchy |website=iTunes Store |date=11 July 2011 |location=United States |access-date=31 May 2013}}</ref> ''The Guardian'' gave the album three out of five stars and stated that "[t]he lyrics are often arrant nonsense [...] but there are many pleasures here."<ref name="hann"/> ''NME'' rated the album five out of 10, comparing Monarchy to Hurts, The Sound of Arrows and Steps.<ref>{{cite web |last=Malone |first=Ailbhe |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/monarchy/12240 |title=Album Review: Monarchy – 'Around The Sun' |work=NME |date=8 August 2011 |access-date=24 December 2011}}</ref> Popjustice placed ''Around the Sun'' at number fourteen on its list of the best albums of 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.popjustice.com/articles/the-top-33-albums-of-2011/83118/ |title=2011: The 33 Best Albums |website=Popjustice |date=12 December 2011 |access-date=27 May 2018}}</ref> Their song "The Phoenix Alive" was featured in EA Sports game, ''FIFA 12'' with remix of Kris Menace.
Monarchy's single "Disintegration" was released digitally on 14 January 2013 and features Neo-Burlesque performer Dita Von Teese, who also appears on the track's accompanying music video.<ref>{{cite web |last=O'Mance |first=Brad |url=https://www.popjustice.com/thenews/monarchy-have-announced-details-of-their-new-dita-von-teese-featuring-single/105944/ |title=Monarchy have announced details of their new Dita Von Teese-featuring single |website=Popjustice |date=6 December 2012 |access-date=31 May 2013}}</ref> The duo released the single "Living Without You" on 28 April 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00JD0VG9W |title=Living Without You: Monarchy: MP3 Downloads |website=Amazon |location=United Kingdom |access-date=15 August 2014}}</ref> Their extended play ''Almost Human'', was officially released on 8 September 2014,<ref name="Almost Human">{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/almost-human-ep/908205868 |title=Almost Human – EP by Monarchy |website=iTunes Store |location=United Kingdom |access-date=15 August 2014}}</ref> after premiering exclusively on ''Vibe''{{'}}s website on 15 August.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rodriguez |first=Krystal |url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/premiere-monarchy-almost-human-233406/ |title=Premiere: Monarchy "Almost Human" |work=Vibe |date=15 August 2014 |access-date=3 May 2021}}</ref> Monarchy's second studio album, ''Abnocto'', was released on 6 March 2015 by Hacan Sounds.<ref name="hmvie">{{cite web |url=http://www.hmv.ie/Abnocto-Monarchy/movies-games-entertainment/pd/114080 |title=Abnocto – Monarchy |publisher=HMV Ireland |access-date=11 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402091848/http://www.hmv.ie/Abnocto-Monarchy/movies-games-entertainment/pd/114080 |archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref> It was preceded by the single "Dancing in the Corner" on 19 January 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.7digital.com/artist/monarchy/release/dancing-in-the-corner/ |title=Dancing in the Corner (2015) {{!}} Monarchy |website=7digital |location=United Kingdom |access-date=11 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307215533/https://www.7digital.com/artist/monarchy/release/dancing-in-the-corner |archive-date=7 March 2016}}</ref>
On 27 April 2015, Armstrong announced the split of Monarchy. On 1 June, he announced that the duo had reconciled and would continue touring and creating new music.<ref>{{cite web |last=Armstrong |first=Andrew |url=https://www.facebook.com/monarchysound/posts/1023046544373994 |title=We've had a troubled time lately |date=1 June 2015 |access-date=1 June 2015 |via=Facebook}}</ref>
Monarchy collaborated with electronic artist Karma Fields on the track "Faint Echoes", taken from the album ''New Age | Dark Age'', released on 2 March 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://music.monstercat.com/album/new-age-dark-age|title=New Age {{!}} Dark Age, by Karma Fields|website=Monstercat|access-date=2016-03-17}}</ref>
On 6 August 2021 the band announced they would be splitting once again. This was accompanied by the release of the bands latest album SYZYGY.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Band |first1=Monarchy |title=The clocks have struck 13 |url=https://www.facebook.com/monarchysound/posts/379125960275503 |website=Facebook |access-date=6 August 2021}}</ref>
==Discography==
===Studio albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col" style="width:12em;"| Title ! scope="col" style="width:18em;"| Details |- ! scope="row"| ''Around the Sun'' | * Released: 11 July 2011<ref name="Around the Sun"/> * Label: 100% * Formats: CD, digital download |- ! scope="row"| ''Abnocto'' | * Released: 6 March 2015<ref name="hmvie"/> * Label: Hacan Sounds * Formats: CD, LP, digital download |- ! scope="row"| ''Mid:Night'' | * Released: 18 January 2019<ref>{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/mid-night/1446279350 |title=Mid:Night by Monarchy |website=Apple Music |location=United Kingdom |access-date=3 May 2021}}</ref> * Label: Warner Music Spain * Formats: CD, LP, digital download |}
===Extended plays=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col" style="width:12em;"| Title ! scope="col" style="width:18em;"| Details |- ! scope="row"| ''Almost Human'' | * Released: 8 September 2014<ref name="Almost Human"/> * Label: Hacan Sound * Format: Digital download |- ! scope="row"| ''Re|Vision'' | * Released: 15 June 2015<ref>{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/revision/1459299388 |title=ReVision by Monarchy |website=Apple Music |location=United Kingdom |access-date=3 May 2021}}</ref> * Label: Hacan Sound * Format: Digital download |}
===Singles=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col"| Title ! scope="col"| Year ! scope="col"| Album |- ! scope="row"| "Gold in the Fire" | rowspan="3"| 2010 | rowspan="6"| ''Around the Sun'' |- ! scope="row"| "The Phoenix Alive" |- ! scope="row"| "Love Get Out of My Way" |- ! scope="row"| "I Won't Let Go" | rowspan="3"| 2011 |- ! scope="row"| "Maybe I'm Crazy" |- ! scope="row"| "You Don't Want to Dance with Me"<br>{{small|(featuring Britt Love)}} |- ! scope="row"| "Disintegration"<br>{{small|(featuring Dita Von Teese)}} | 2013 | rowspan="3"| ''Abnocto'' |- ! scope="row"| "Living Without You" | 2014 |- ! scope="row"| "Dancing in the Corner" | 2015 |- ! scope="row"| "Hula Hoop 8000" | rowspan="3"| 2016 | rowspan="2"| ''Mid:Night'' |- ! scope="row"| "MidNight" |- ! scope="row"| "Dance Like Hell" | {{n/a|Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row"| "Deep Cut" | 2018 | rowspan="2"| ''Mid:Night'' |- ! scope="row"| "Back to the Start" | rowspan="2"| 2019 |- ! scope="row"| "Glow Vision" | rowspan="2" {{n/a|Non-album singles}} |- ! scope="row"| "Just Give Me Your Love" | 2020 |}
===Music videos=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |- ! scope="col"| Title ! scope="col"| Year ! scope="col"| Director(s) |- ! scope="row"| "The Phoenix Alive" | rowspan="2"| 2010 | Nils Porrmann<ref name="imvdb">{{cite web |url=https://imvdb.com/n/monarchy |title=Monarchy |website=IMVDb |access-date=31 May 2013}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| "Love Get Out of My Way" | Price James<ref>{{cite web |last=Knight |first=David |url=https://www.promonews.tv/videos/2010/07/08/monarchy%E2%80%99s-love-get-out-my-way-price-james/5660 |title=Monarchy's Love Get Out Of My Way by Price James |website=Promonews |date=8 July 2010 |access-date=3 May 2021}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| "I Won't Let Go" | rowspan="2"| 2011 | Roy Raz<ref>{{cite web |last=Knight |first=David |url=https://www.promonews.tv/videos/2011/04/14/monarchys-i-wont-let-go-roy-raz/8395 |title=Monarchy's I Won't Let Go by Roy Raz |website=Promonews |date=14 April 2011 |access-date=3 May 2021}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| "You Don't Want to Dance with Me"<br>{{small|(featuring Britt Love)}} | Ramy Dance<ref name="imvdb"/> |- ! scope="row"| "Disintegration"<br>{{small|(featuring Dita Von Teese)}} | 2013 | Roy Raz<ref>{{cite web |last=Knight |first=David |url=https://www.promonews.tv/videos/2013/01/16/monarchy-dita-von-teese-disintegration-roy-raz/16410 |title=Monarchy & Dita Von Teese 'Disintegration' by Roy Raz |website=Promonews |date=16 January 2013 |access-date=3 May 2021}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| "Living Without You" | rowspan="3"| 2014 | Jimmy Ahlander and Robin Antiga<ref>{{cite web |last=Ahlander |first=Jimmy |url=https://www.videostatic.com/watch-it/2014/05/31/monarchy-living-without-you-jimmy-ahlander-robin-antiga-dir |title=Monarchy "Living Without You" (Jimmy Ahlander & Robin Antiga, dir.) |website=VideoStatic |date=2 June 2014 |access-date=21 November 2014}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| "Almost Human" | Matthew Daily Young<ref>{{cite web |last=Gottlieb |first=Steven |url=https://www.videostatic.com/watch-it/2014/10/15/monarchy-almost-human-matthew-daily-young-dir |title=Monarchy "Almost Human" (Matthew Daily Young, dir.) |website=VideoStatic |date=15 October 2014 |access-date=21 November 2014}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| "The Beautiful Ones" | Maud Regnault and Thomas Blanchard<ref>{{cite web |last=Gottlieb |first=Steven |url=https://www.videostatic.com/watch-it/2014/11/11/monarchy-beautiful-ones-maud-regnault-thomas-blanchard-dir |title=Monarchy "The Beautiful Ones" (Maud Regnault, Thomas Blanchard, dir.) |website=VideoStatic |date=11 November 2014 |access-date=21 November 2014}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| "Dancing in the Corner" | rowspan="4"| 2015 | Ch. Martínez<ref name="imvdb"/> |- ! scope="row"| "Black Widow" | Ross McElwain and Manos Ioannou<ref>{{cite web |last=Brown |first=Jimmy |url=https://www.promonews.tv/videos/2015/03/24/monarchy-black-widow-ross-mcelwain-manos-ioannou/32683 |title=Monarchy 'Black Widow' by Ross McElwain & Manos Ioannou |website=Promonews |date=24 March 2015 |access-date=3 May 2021}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| "Fractured World" | Rosie Roche<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rosieroche.co.uk/video/monarchy/ |title=Fractured World / Monarchy |website=RosieRoche.co.uk |access-date=3 May 2021}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| "Girls & Boys"<br>{{small|(featuring Dita Von Teese)}} | Andrew Armstrong<ref name="imvdb"/> |- ! scope="row"| "Hula Hoop 8000" | 2017 | Virgili Jubero<ref>{{cite web |last=Knight |first=David |url=https://www.promonews.tv/videos/2018/01/30/monarchy-hula-hoop-8000-virgili-jubero/51570 |title=Monarchy 'Hula Hoop 8000' by Virgili Jubero |website=Promonews |date=30 January 2018 |access-date=3 May 2021}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| "MidNight" | 2018 | Alberto Van Stokkum<ref>{{cite web |last=Yorke |first=Ana |url=https://www.popmatters.com/monarchy-mid-night-video-premiere-2559472413.html |title=Monarchy's "mid:night" Shows How the Electropop Group Takes Video Art as Seriously as Their Music (premiere) |website=PopMatters |date=16 April 2008 |access-date=3 May 2021}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| "Back to the Start" | 2019 | Mar del Corral<ref>{{cite web |last=Prasimay |first=Lassamie |url=https://www.promonews.tv/videos/2019/01/31/monarchy-back-start-mar-del-corral/57095 |title=MONARCHY 'Back To The Start' by Mar del Corral |website=Promonews |date=31 January 2019 |access-date=3 May 2021}}</ref> |}
===Remixes=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col"| Title ! scope="col"| Year ! scope="col"| Artist |- ! scope="row"| "She Needs Me" {{small|(Monarchy Black Galaxy Remix)}}<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=She Needs Me |type=UK CD single |others=Fyfe Dangerfield |publisher=Polydor Records |year=2010 |id=2727700}}</ref> | rowspan="8"| 2010 | Fyfe Dangerfield |- ! scope="row"| "Hollywood" {{small|(Monarchy 'Gliese Remix')}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/hollywood-ep/349326754 |title=Hollywood – EP by Marina and The Diamonds |website=iTunes Store |date=29 January 2010 |location=United Kingdom |access-date=31 May 2013}}</ref> | Marina and the Diamonds |- ! scope="row"| "Acapella" {{small|(Monarchy Urania Club Mix)}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/acapella-the-remixes/id367455997 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109224917/https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/acapella-the-remixes/id367455997 |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 November 2012 |title=Acapella (The Remixes) by Kelis |website=iTunes Store (Australia) |access-date=31 May 2013}}</ref> | Kelis |- ! scope="row"| "Starry Eyed" {{small|(Monarchy 'The Horse Head Nebular' Remix)}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://soundcloud.com/popjustice/ellie-goulding-starry-eyed-monarchy-the-horse-head-nebular-remix |title=Ellie Goulding – Starry Eyed (Monarchy 'The Horse Head Nebular' Remix) |website=SoundCloud |date=3 February 2010 |access-date=31 May 2013}}</ref> | Ellie Goulding |- ! scope="row"| "Dance in the Dark" {{small|(Monarchy 'Stylites' Remix)}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://store.universal-music.co.uk/restofworld/lady-gaga-the-remix-cd-album-2010/invt/0602527404684/ |title=Lady Gaga {{!}} The Remix (CD) 2010 |website=Universal Music UK |access-date=31 May 2013}}</ref> | Lady Gaga |- ! scope="row"| "White Knuckle Ride" {{small|(Monarchy Remix)}}<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=White Knuckle Ride – Remixes |type=UK promotional CD-R single |others=Jamiroquai |publisher=Mercury Records |year=2010}}</ref> | Jamiroquai |- ! scope="row"| "Sister Marie Says" {{small|(Monarchy Twin Galaxies Remix)}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/sister-marie-says-remixes/id409787444 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140823125006/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/sister-marie-says-remixes/id409787444 |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 August 2014 |title=Sister Marie Says (Remixes) by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark |website=iTunes Store |date=15 November 2010 |location=United Kingdom |access-date=31 May 2013}}</ref> | Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark |- ! scope="row"| "Better than Today" {{small|(Monarchy 'Kylie Through the Wormhole' Remix)}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/better-than-today-ep/id402882801 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206045844/http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/better-than-today-ep/id402882801 |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 December 2010 |title=Better Than Today – EP by Kylie Minogue |website=iTunes Store |location=United Kingdom |access-date=31 May 2013}}</ref> | Kylie Minogue |- ! scope="row"| "Mantra Mania" {{small|(Monarchy Remix)}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/enjoy-this-trip-mw0002933314 |title=Enjoy This Trip – S'Express |website=AllMusic |access-date=29 September 2017}}</ref> | 2016 | S'Express |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category|Monarchy (musical group)}} * {{Official website|http://www.monarchysound.com/}} * {{AllMusic|id=monarchy-mn0002430631|label=Monarchy}} {{Authority control}}
Category:2009 establishments in England Category:English electronic music duos Category:English synth-pop groups Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2015 Category:Musical groups established in 2009 Category:Electronic music groups from London Category:Musical groups reestablished in 2015 Category:Remixers