Following on from the release of his highly-praised sophomore EP 'Dissolution', Tel-Aviv based artist and producer Eshchar Nachmany aka MONAD has now returned with his bright and soaring new single 'September'.
Bringing the same warped and psychedelic appeal of acts like The Flaming Lips and Thee Oh Sees, the artist's latest delight is a warm and vibrant affair, filled with uplifting atmosphere. With his sweet and pulsing vocals puncturing a smooth and inviting production, this new gem sees him return in truly stellar form.
So with his new release doing the round right now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what first brought him to the world of music.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
I played cello when I was in high-school, and even though I don’t play it anymore it’s still one of my favourite instruments.
What has been the most prominent inspiration behind your music so far?
I’m fascinated with things like motion and impermanence - of feelings, of state-of-mind. There are certain moments when you can kind of ‘catch’ yourself undergoing some change, and suddenly you can feel different or foreign to yourself for a moment. I find these moments deeply inspiring as I like to think of them as a chance to kind of get a glimpse behind the curtain. I spend my whole life being me but in those moments I can, even for a second, see myself as someone else.
What kind of music did you love as a teenager?
I never listened to old school rock as a teenager. 60s\70s stuff, Beatles Led Zeppelin etc. Recently listened to ‘In the Court of the Crimson King’ in its entirety for the first time after getting scolded by Ittamar, who plays drums on Monad.. I only started getting into those records when I was about 19 or 20. As a teenager I was mostly into 00’s R&B, some Linkin Park, and a lot of 90’s alternative rock that I had on cassettes I got from my cousin when he moved abroad.
Can you remember the first song that made you want to pursue a life in music?
'Motion Picture Soundtrack' by Radiohead. 'Kid A' was the first time I bought an album. I took the bus to Tower Records and bought 'Kid A' and two other albums. It was like a 40 minute bus ride in each direction. I remember lying on my bed after finishing the album, listening to this song on repeat. It was so strange and captivating and moving all at once.
When you wake up in the morning, what kind of music do you like to listen to?
Varies wildly. I used to keep a small dream journal and I would also write in it the song I had in my head each morning, as I usually wake up with something stuck in my head. This morning I listened to Fela Kuti’s ‘Beasts of No Nation’.
How many of your songs have you written about people in your life?
I’d say it’s mostly a 50/50 mix. A song is never about one thing (for me), and even when it seems like it is it’s usually in the context of something bigger, a more complex feeling lurking behind something seemingly mundane or familiar.
What has been the most memorable moment in your career so far?
The first time I got in the car and my music came up on the radio. It still gets me every time, a pretty weird feeling.
Outside of music, what is your biggest passion?
I really really enjoy cooking!
If you weren’t a musician, what other path do you think you might have taken?
I think I might have tried taking dance classes as a teenager. It’s something that’s always fascinated me and I always wanted to do - there’s a good chance I wouldn’t be good enough to be more than an amateur but I think if I was less shy about it as a teenager I’d probably give it a go.
And what advice would you give to other musicians looking to stay productive through the coronavirus lockdown?
Ignore the Coronavirus-inspired productivity pressure. Every person is different, but for a lot of people this confusing time of professional and financial uncertainty makes it hard to be creative. Know that you are not ‘failing’ if you're not using the Coronavirus downtime to write new music (although if you are that’s equally great). Don’t get caught up in what you ‘should’ be doing and focus on staying healthy and secure - I found that helped get much more creative and productive.
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MONAD's latest single is available to stream and download now. Check out the new video for it in the player below.