Men Of North Country

Men of North Country (MONC) is a soul band from Tel Aviv, Israel, signed to Acid Jazz Records. Formed in 2008, the band includes lead singer Yashiv Cohen, drummer/producer Boaz Wolf, guitarist Doron Farhi, bassist Jonathan Ydov, and a three-piece brass section. Initially, the brass section featured Ido Kretchmer on trombone and siblings Sefi and Ongy Sizzling on trumpet and saxophone, respectively. Over time, the brass section evolved to include Maayan Milo and Andy Ptashka on trombone and trumpet. MONC's music is deeply rooted in Northern Soul, with influences from post-punk and rock 'n' roll. They have released two albums on Acid Jazz Records: *The North* (2012) and *This City* (2016). More recently, they have explored a more eclectic sound with their third album, *3*, which includes a mix of soul, psychedelic, and rock elements.

The band's formation was a result of Yashiv Cohen's soulful voice being discovered while he was DJing at a Tel Aviv Soul Club party. Their music often reflects the vibrant cultural landscape of Tel Aviv, blending diverse musical styles. MONC has toured extensively across Europe and has been featured on BBC Radio. Their eclectic influences range from classic soul artists like Otis Redding and Solomon Burke to bands like The Cure and Dexy's Midnight Runners. This blend of influences contributes to their unique sound, which continues to evolve with each new release.