Artist Spotlight :: Brandon Monson

Bio

Presence Music Band is a high energy pop worship band from Duluth MN. What started as a group of area worship leaders banding together to play for youth camps, has blossomed into a professional Christian artist that has performed all over the Midwest.

They have provided support for national artists such a Brandon Heath, Kim-Walker Smith, Ben Fuller, Cory Asbury, 7eventh Time Down, Stars Go Dim, and more! You have heard them on area radio stations for years like YourQfm, Psalm FM, and Pulse FM. But their latest single “Down in the River” has reached new heights being played on over 100 stations in 8 countries.

What/Who inspired you to pick up your instrument?

Leah took piano lessons as a kid because she was forced to and then stopped playing for years. She picked it up 10 years ago again to play for church and has never looked back.

What piece of musical advice would you give yourself if you could go back in time to the beginning of your musical journey?

Play every show like you are headlining Red Rocks. People need hope and they need to hear music that will speak to them. Don't be afraid of small stages.

What keeps you excited about playing?

We are a faith-based band, so our goal is for people to hear a message of hope and joy in every show. There is a lot going on in our country that is tough, and we want people to have an evening where they can focus on the light that comes from Creator God.

Desert Island 3 pedal pedalboard (not including tuner)

You got the co-lead vocalist filling this out who can barely play cajon ha! Our electric player Jake used to use a Helix but now has about 30 pedals on there but only uses two or three. Don't tell him I said that. Merrill only has a pedal or two but shreds on the acoustic so hard it seems like he breaks strings every show. ;)

When you find yourself in a musical rut, what techniques do you do to break out of it?

A good book I read says there is wisdom in having a lot of different wise counsel. If I'm stuck and can't finish a song, I pull in my wife or even the whole band to workshop it. We have a great group now who is easy to work with, so songwriter isn't as heated of a debate as it used to be.

Who is your favorite artist/band today? And who was your favorite artist/band 10 years ago?

Probably Cain, Hillsong Young and Free, or We the Kingdom for faith-based groups. At least two of us are huge pop-punk fans. Our producers are even legendary pop-punk producers so our songs get a bit of that in there even when we are not trying to. Some of our favorite mainstream music is in that genre like Mayday Parade, All Time Low, and Cartel.

When you find yourself in a music store - what is your go-to riff when test drive gear?

Usually Stairway to Heaven or Freebird...but only ironically.

What is your most prized/charished piece of gear? And why?

Besides our Rattlesnake cables of course.. probably our Nord piano 5. It costs as much as my car. And has a Christian band one of our favorite quotes is..."Where the Nord is, the Lord is. LOL."

What is the next big musical purchase you're hoping to save for?

Rattlesnake cables to replace all of our XLRs as well. We are pot committed! No we weren't paid to say that haha. Thanks for reading. Love you! :)

Gear Breakdown

Rattlesnake quarter inch cables for all stage cables into our rack in rattlesnack and ox blood colors. Rack is patched rattlesnake cables into our Soundcraft board. They look beautiful and are extremely high quality.

Bands / Projects

Presence Music Band

Listen on Spotify

Social Links

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Want to be featured as an Artist Spotlight?

Do you have to be a famous musician to be featured? No. Do you have to be a professional musician to be featured? No. Do you have passion about playing and gear -- oh and a verified Rattlesnake Cable Company cable user. Yes!

All you need to do is contact us and we'll direct you to our submission form. If your submission is approved, it will be in the queue to be showcased!