Monophonik on Crafting Immersive Soundscapes and the Art of Humanizing Electronic Music

Hailing from New Delhi, Monophonik is a master of weaving intricate, synth-driven electronic music that defies boundaries and transcends genres. His sound, a fusion of analog warmth and digital precision, channels the quirks and imperfections of modular synthesis to create immersive, emotive soundscapes. Monophonik's music is a journey through time and culture, blending his Indian roots with the vibrant influences of UK and EU dance scenes. With releases on renowned labels like Rhythm Section and Mixmag Impact, and performances at global festivals like Wonderfruit and Lollapalooza, Monophonik has cemented his place as one of India’s most innovative live acts. We sit down with him to explore his creative process, the intersection of tradition and modernity in his music, and what’s next on his sonic horizon.

1. Your music blends various genres like breaks, acid, techno, and trance with influences from Indian heritage. How do you approach the process of combining these elements to create a unique soundscape?

My approach is more about immersing myself in the creative process rather than focusing on the final output. I find joy in the act of producing music, letting things flow naturally, without consciously trying to adhere to any genre-specific formulas. The sounds I create are more of an organic result of my diverse musical influences over the years.

2. You describe yourself as a "rave archaeologist" who merges Indian, UK, EU, and dance cultures. Can you elaborate on how these diverse influences shape your music and live performances?

Growing up in India and living in the UK have both significantly influenced my musical journey. India’s rich musical heritage has definitely leant itself to my rhythmic and harmonic sensibilities, while the raw, driving energy of the UK and EU scenes have added a distinct flavor to my sound. Also whenever I travel abroad, I make it a point to pick up unique sound-generating instruments and tools, which aren’t easily accessible in India. All of this comes together in my live performances, where I try to create an immersive experience that speaks to the universal language of dance.

3. Modular synthesizers play a significant role in your productions. How do you use these tools to humanize your music, and what do you find most challenging about working with them?

The most fascinating aspect of working with modular synthesizers for me is their unpredictable behavior. You never really know what to expect, and that keeps things exciting. The imperfect nuances of these instruments make the machine-human interaction quite engaging, resulting in a unique output every time, much like playing an acoustic instrument. However, the biggest challenge is trying to recreate the same sounds for each performance, which is often impossible. It's something I've learnt to embrace as part of the process over the years.

4. Having performed at major festivals like Wonderfruit and Lollapalooza, as well as in various international clubs, how do you adapt your live set to different venues and audiences while maintaining your distinct sound?

I think that the open-ended architecture of the synthesizers I use allow for quite an improvisatory approach. I have structured my set up such that it is super adaptable to different settings, and dancefloors. Of course, it has taken years of practice and time spent to familiarize myself with the instruments, to be able to reach a point where I can improvise in a real time setting.

5. You’ve collaborated with artists globally and released music on various labels. Can you share some insights into how these collaborations and label affiliations have influenced your creative process and career development?

Each collaboration brings fresh perspectives and techniques, challenging me to expand my musical vocabulary and explore new sonic territories. Working with different labels has also provided valuable exposure to varied audiences, helping me grow as an artist and keeping my sound ever evolving. These experiences have fostered a more collaborative mindset and broadened my understanding of the global electronic music landscape, which has significantly impacted my creative output and professional journey so far.