Tag: Kelly Finnigan A Lover Was Born

Single Review by William Ruben Helms

New Audio: Kelly Finnigan Returns with Two Christmas Time Originals

Acclaimed San Francisco-based singer/songwriter, musician, producer and Monophonics frontman Kelly Finnigan has proven himself to be rather prolific over the past couple of years. Last year, Finnigan released his sophomore solo album, A Lover Was Born, which featured album singles “Be Your Own Shelter,” and “Love (Your Pain Goes Deep).”

This year, Finnigan followed up with two standalone singles:

Finnigan closes out the year with two new, self-penned Christmas tunes —
“I Can’t Wait (For Christmas Time)”/”Snowy Night In Ohio.”

“I Can’t Wait (For Christmas Time)” is a straightforward pop/soul arrangement that features labelmate Kendra Morris and her band on backing vocals. “I the Can’t Wait (For Christmas Time)” channels some of Finnigan’s previously released work, while reminding the listener that the holidays are about the excitement, anticipation and longing for reunions with loved ones.

“Snowy Night In Ohio” is a meditative tune that sounds as though it could have been previously unreleased track from the A Joyful Sound sessions that evokes the nostalgia and comfort of being with your dearest ones and looking out the window to see the snow gently fall outside.

“I Can’t Wait (For Christmas Time)”/”Snowy Night In Ohio” are out now as 7″ 45RPM single and on digital platforms through Colemine Records.

Single Review by William Ruben Helms

New Audio: JOVM Mainstay Kelly Finnigan Teams Up with Chicago Soul Legend Renaldo Domino on a Deep Soul Cover

Acclaimed singer/songwriter, musician, producer and Monophonics frontman Kelly Finnigan teamed up with Chicago‘s Renaldo Domino for a cover of Buffalo-based duo Samson & Delilah‘s 1967 song “Keep Me In Mind.” The Finnigan and Domino cover, which features an All-Star cast of some of the soul scene’s best players was recorded entirely to tape in studios between the Bay Area, Chicago and Ohio during the recording sessions for the JOVM mainstay’s most recent solo album, last year’s A Lover Was Born.

The Finnigan and Domino rendition sees the pair and their collaborators tightening the original’s groove just a bit while retaining the original’s spirit and feel in a remarkably loving and straightforward period specific manner. And much like the original, the song’s mid-tempo groove-driven arrangement serves as a lush and funky bed for the pair’s uncannily soulful harmonizing, which in some way rekindles memories of Sam and Dave, and the like.

The standalone single was released digitally through Colemine Records. The 7″ 45RPM vinyl will be available on May 23, 2025. You can pre-order the vinyl or stream on your favorite DSP here: https://colemine.lnk.to/clmn260

Single Review by William Ruben Helms

New Audio: Kelly Finnigan Shares Yearning and Pleading “Love (Your Pain Goes Deep)”

Perhaps best known as the frontman of the acclaimed West Coast psych soul outfit and JOVM mainstays Monophonics, Kelly Finnigan is an acclaimed producer, keyboardist and solo artist in his own right.

Finnigan’s highly-anticipated sophomore studio album A Lover Was Born is slated for an October 18, 2024 release through Colemine Records. Distance as a measure of time and place reportedly informs the album with a grit and grace that turns passion into virtue. The album also sees the Monophonics frontman rooting himself — and in turn, his work — in the best traditions of midwest soul labels like King, Curtom, Dakar and the Boddie Recording Company. And as a result, A Lover Was Born is a testimony that those deep cut grooves aren’t resigned to nostalgia, but rather, they are at the burning heart of longing and hope.

The journey that Finnigan takes listeners on through Lover‘s 11 tracks echo the state of motion and growth since his solo debut, 2019’s The Tales People Tell. Both solo albums bookend a prolific period of output that includes two Monophonics albums, 2020’s It’s Only Us and 2022’s Sage Motel; a Christmas album, 2020’s A Joyful Sound; a mixtape, last year’s From Me To You; and production work for other artists including The Ironsides, Alana Royale, The Sextones and others. “There’s nothing like making records,” says Finnigan. “It feels like that’s my purpose — the reason I was put on this earth.” 

Written in California, Ohio and Staten Island, Finnigan collaborated with old friends in and outside the studio. “I enjoy working alone but it’s not how you want to make a record…almost everybody I brought in for this album I’ve worked with, toured with or spent a great deal of time with. The album features contributions from The Ironsides’ Max and Joe Ramey, Parlor Greens‘ Jimmy James, Orgõne’s Sergio Rios, Dap Kings‘ Joey Crispiano and Jay “J-Zone” Mumford.

The album’s first single “Love (Your Pain Goes Deep)” is anchored around a hard-hitting, strutting groove that sounds as though it could have been written and recorded sometime between 1966-1970, paired with twinkling Rhodes, a supple bass line, shimmering funk guitar, bursts of cinematic strings and a lush horn line. The song’s deliberately crafted arrangement serves as a lush, satiny bed for Finnigan’s pleading and effortlessly soulful delivery. At its core, you can feel the yearning, hurt and longing of the song’s narrator in very lived-in terms.