Both bands were the subject of intense A&R interest earlier this year, with Nashville four-piece Mona signing to Island UK and Mercury US and Brother signing to Geffen. Both bands are also expected to feature highly among the critics' tips for 2011.

There was feverish interest from publishers, too, with EMI Publishing UK head of A&R Felix Howard describing the bidding process for Mona as "a bun fight" between companies.

He adds Mona represent a return to rock and roll, ...