Following the good reception of his first song “Abre Los Ojos Y Grita”, Monokoi presents “Salto Al Vacío”. The musician, producer and songwriter Camilo Sánchez, continues the exploration with samples, guitars, synths, analog and digital sounds, added to a lyric that invites us to take risks to open new paths. The Colombian artist based in L.A. and member of the audiovisual collective Monitor, has worked with Diamante Eléctrico, Georgel, Poper, Divagash, Nicolai Fella (LosPetitFellas), among others.
The Music Video directed by Rick Perez was recorded in different locations of California and refers to the meaning of time using the clock as the main element. “The iconicity seems relevant to me to connect stories between the video and the song. In Abre Los Ojos it was the train, here is the clock which has a very special meaning“, says Sánchez.
Tell us about the genesis of your project. How did you get to where you are now?
Monokoi is the result of many years of being into music, sharing sounds with artists from different cultures, touring, writing, back and forward, try and failure. This is the first time that I’m singing which is amazing because it is kind of a debt that I had with myself. I’m from Colombia and I left the country three years ago. I was living in Melbourne, Australia and then I came here to Los Angeles. During these years I’ve had the opportunity to share with musicians from Africa, India, Asia, Middle East and that energy around blew my mind and also pushed me to create Monokoi which means a migratory animal, a nomad. Taking risks gives something when you decide to begin from scratch, and that’s what I’m doing now.
What does music and being an artist mean to you?
Music is everything in my life. It has been around since I was child and I feel it’s kind of a personal church, my own religion to express something, to speak out. Being an artist means a responsibility to create, to be patient and constant with your work. Of course inspiration and creativity are not always on your mind, but that is part of it. You have to be open to receive those moments and then just go with the flow, play the guitar, take a pen and write.
What are some sources of inspiration for your lyrics and storytelling?
Writing in Spanish is always a big challenge. I love the way that some Latin American poets and writers connect words and stories. Sometimes I try to go that way. Each song comes depending on the moment , your feelings, the vibe around. Sometimes I want to talk about something related to my life, other times I just want to imagine a story, create the character. That is one of the things that I enjoy about writing a song. You can be a chameleon, different skins, different colours.
Who is an artist that you look up to more than others today?
Living in Melbourne I met Jordan Rakei, who is an amazing musician from New Zealand/Australia. He has an album called “Origin” and since I heard that record I have been with my eye on his music. I also listen to new music almost every day through radio stations on Spotify and I save artists that I like. I think it’s a good habit to just wake up and play new music and artists that you don’t know.
All time favorite record?
When I was studying music at the University, Massive Attack appeared on my path and literally they changed my sound, the concept that I had at that time. I think whatever album from them could be my favorite record, Mezzanine, Heligoland, their latest EP’s.
Tell us about your latest release and how it came about
” Salto Al Vacío ” is a song that I started to write when I came to Los Angeles from Melbourne. The meaning in English is jump into the void and basically the lyric is about the time, don’t procrastinate on things that you love, take risks and leave your comfort zone. For several years I have been curious about sound, effects pedals, synthesizers, samples and drum machines and I tried to put all of this into the song. Conceptually I wanted to create a character for each track in the videos. In “Abre Los Ojos y Grita”, the first song that I released in 2020 with Monokoi, I recorded the sounds of train stations in Melbourne with my cell phone and then I put them into the song, visually the video connects all that story. In “Salto Al Vacío” the character in the video is the clock as reference of time. When I was composing the song I was playing with some sounds of clocks as a hi hat. I sped them up, and slowed down with the beat and then the bass line came.
You seem to be fusing several musical genres. What inspires your sound?
I think Monokoi wants to tell stories through those sounds and experiences that I’ve had. The inspiration comes from all music that I’ve listened to and I’m listening to now, from Jazz to, R&B, soul, funk, rock, pop, retro sounds. Also Colombia is a tropical country and that Latin flavour and feeling that we have, it makes a perfect blend at the moment to create rhythms and harmonies.
What are some things you do to deal with anxiety and creative blocks?
Creativity blocks and anxiety are part of being an artist and it’s something that you have to handle at some point. When It comes to me, the best way to plug me again is working out, doing meditation or yoga almost every day but it has to be early. Also reading is a good therapy for that. I think you don’t need to pressure yourself when your creativity is off. That’s normal for everyone, it doesn’t matter if you are an artist or not. This global pandemic has been a big challenge for everyone. At the end of the day we just need to breathe and be relaxed.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I’m very grateful for all things in my life. Everyone knows going on the art road is tough but always it brings some air and amazing vibes that you can’t describe. I see myself touring with Monokoi, producing, composing, and working with other artists which is one of the things that I love. The music business side is also part of my journey and I like to learn from other artists that I’m working with.
Your style is very original and elaborate. How do you take care of your aesthetics?
Monokoi is a new character behind me. Kind of an alter ego. Speaking about aesthetics, I can say I always want to be involved in photos, music videos and the general concept behind the projects that I work with. Especially with Monokoi I’m writing all that I want with the concept of the project, stories for the videos, characters, I go to references, books, places. When I came to L.A I had the opportunity to meet Rick Perez, who is an amazing Californian artist, photographer, director and he has been an essential part of these first releases as well. He is the director of the videos, took the pictures and the chemistry between us at the time of the creating process is stunning.
What was the most daunting moment in your career so far?
I think that word is part of our art dictionary (lol). Sometimes the music industry is tough and daunting as well, above all when you are a new artist. Also I think the speed of the digital platforms and the amount of songs that every week are out and then those songs disappear because the next week other thousands of new songs have taken their place on playlists. There are no hits today as we used to listen to years ago for months, years. The only thing that we can do as artists is work hard every day.
