In February 2017, Monday Night Social officially emerged as a full five-piece band onto the Chattanooga music scene, capturing attention with their win in that year’s Road to Nightfall competition. However, the group’s musical roots reach back several years before that milestone. Founding members Brock and Janet McGarity, along with Christian Mann, began performing together in early 2015 as a more intimate indie-folk trio. Centered around rich three-part harmonies, their early sound featured Janet on percussion, Brock on acoustic guitar, and Christian on mandolin. Their initial repertoire consisted of songs each member had written individually, which they reimagined into cohesive, harmony-driven arrangements, ultimately releasing a self-produced EP.

By 2016, the trio shifted toward collaborative songwriting, refining both their sound and artistic direction. While their signature three-part harmonies remained at the core, their instrumentation began to evolve. Electric guitar took on a more prominent role, reshaping the band’s rhythmic foundation. Janet expanded her role, adding acoustic guitar to her contributions alongside light percussion. With the addition of Josh English on bass and JG Oliver on drums, Monday Night Social completed their transition into a full-band sound. Following their Road to Nightfall win, the band headlined a night in Chattanooga’s Nightfall concert series and closed out 2017 with a strong run of performances. Highlights included shows at the Revelry Room (now Songbirds), The Country in Nashville, festivals in Chattanooga and Baton Rouge, and venues across South Carolina and Georgia. That same year, they released their EP Mixtapes Never Lie, produced by Brandon Weaver of Ironwing Studios.

In January 2018, Monday Night Social released the single “Shutting Down TN,” accompanied by their first professionally produced music video. The track’s unexpected success, garnering tens of thousands of views across platforms, sparked momentum and inspired the band to pursue a full-length album. Much of 2018 was spent balancing live performances with focused songwriting and studio work. Recording for the album took place between August 2018 and January 2019 at Soundry Studio in North Chattanooga with producer Brett Nolan. After several months of mixing, the project was mastered by Grammy-nominated engineer Dylan Seals and completed in the summer of 2019. The resulting ten-song album, Watch It Burn, showcases the band’s dynamic blend of blues, folk, country, bluegrass, and rock - an Americana sound uniquely their own. The album moves seamlessly between emotionally raw ballads and high-energy, foot-stomping anthems, all anchored by the band’s signature three-part harmonies. As Joshua Pickard of The Southern Sounding noted in his review, the record “embraces its influences while boldly exploring new sonic territory,” highlighting the band’s balance between careful composition and free-spirited experimentation.

Like many artists, Monday Night Social faced significant setbacks during the 2020 pandemic, which disrupted touring plans in support of Watch It Burn. Despite the challenges, the band stayed connected through virtual radio appearances and pre-recorded performances. During this time, the lineup evolved, with Gabe Mann stepping in on drums, bringing new energy while honoring the contributions of JG Oliver, who stepped away to focus on family.

In the years since, the band has continued to grow creatively, spending the past two years writing and recording a brand-new full-length album, Chasing Light, with acclaimed producer Matt Goldman. The project represents a new chapter for Monday Night Social, building on their signature harmony-driven sound while exploring fresh sonic territory and deeper lyrical themes. Chasing Light is set for release on May 29th and marks the band’s most ambitious and fully realized work to date. Amid this exciting new season, Brock and Janet are also preparing to welcome a baby girl in August, adding a deeply personal and joyful milestone alongside the band’s latest creative chapter.

At the end of the day, Monday Night Social is simply a group of people making music for people - rooted in harmony, honesty, and the moments that bring us together.