Guitarist Jonathan Albalak and drummer Aviv Cohen founded Monstep in 2005 in search of a unique sound that would combine the myriad of styles and geners that assemble their musical personalities.
The idea was to combine the jazz approach of improvisation and real time communication with other styles and elements. Electronica, minimalism, avant-garde, hip-hop and rock are thrown into the melting-pot, stretching the boundaries between these styles to create a hybrid sound - highly uinque, rich and original. Soon after the idea was conceived, the first Monstep concert took place in Jerusalem. This first and immediate success took this sophisticated and eclectic band a week later into the studios.
Monstep entered the Yellow Submarine recording studio, along with former members Yoav Ilan on keyboards, Gilad Abro and Daniel Spier alternating on Bass, and D.J Markey Funk, who brought elements from the world of hip-hop and turntablism into the mix. The band recorded both tight-knit compositions by albalak and Cohen, and extensive freewheeling jams. Albalak edited the recorded materials, adding layers and re-composing the pieces. The result is “The What & The Why”, Monstep's debut album that has been independently released in 2007. The eight tracks which make up The What and The Why range from driving drum & bass virtuosity to spacey, atmospheric electric relaxations, highlighting this super - talented quintet's range of talents.
Between 2005 and 2007, Monstep toured around Israel, crowding venues and gathering fans. During that period, the band evolved and had new members in, with Spier joining permanently as bassist, and promising young keyboardist Eden Ladin coming on board, adding to the band's improvisational prowess.
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