Sound Colour Vibration (Music | Art | Film | Technology | Science | Culture)

Bakersfield, CA’s Mono/Poly is a producer and musician whose scope and vision stretches far outside of just any one genre. Diving into a bridged state of advanced technological imagery, lush rhythmic patterns, heavy hitting bass and dream scapes of musical evolution, it’s hard to pin his music down into an easily digestible form. It is of the past as much as it is the future and goes far beyond music and leaves traces of philosophy, technology, the metaphysical, the imagination and all the divisions of life that accelerate and alter perception. Mono/Poly finds this balance of the past and the future and blends the music in an electronic mode, speaking the language of this generation with a sense of wisdom that speaks of a soul that existed well before this generation came to be. More producers are walking the division lines between the orchestral, electronic and acoustic state where the only rules that exists is there are no rules. Mono/Poly blurs this line completely and is one of the most adventurous creators out there right now, leaving a body of work already that people are still catching up to. When I asked DJ Nobody who his favorite producers are, Mono/Poly was in that list and the same can be said from many people making music right now.

Mono/Poly’s first full length Paramatma (Tasteful Licks) is a timeless record that shows some of the biggest emotional transitions he has ever captured into the digital music world. Manifestations would follow the first full length and would engulf a new reality and vision in the Mono/Poly catalog as his introduction release with the Brainfeeder. Killer B’s was an EP release this year that he gave to the world independent of anyone and became just as much of a diverse entity as anything else he has released. It was because of this diversity in release to release that has made me follow the exclusives he is always putting it up through his Soundcloud page. You never know what you are going to get but it’s always so damn good.

It was also recently announced that Mono/Poly would be joining the Rodriguez Lopez Productions camp for the release of a new EP Golden Skies. Skies are the limits with this young producer as he has accomplished so much already. Mono/Poly is one of our favorite artists and it makes us very happy to present this exclusive interview with him at SCV.

Conducted by Muhammad Omar Ghaznavi

http://monopolytracks.com/

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Q: I know you moved to LA early last year. How’s life been out there for you since then?

A: I loved living in LA, it treated me well. Though I recently moved back to Bakersfield due to a housing situation that was outside of my control.

Q: Could you tell us a little bit about the new EP that’s going to be released on Rodriguez Lopez productions? Can we expect a tour for it?

A: The record on Rodriguez Lopez Productions is called Golden Skies and it’s one of the most beautiful pieces of music I have ever created. This record is more focused on chord progressions and beautifully textured sounds. It’s like me circling back to the past of when I used to remix classical music but this time I’m making all the sounds and arrangements. At the same time it’s more minimal than any other record that I have done. There will be a tour for this record in September!

Q: I’ve been listening to the Manifestations EP quite a bit, but Paramatma really sunk it’s teeth in deep for me. I think one of my favorite aspects is the sample with the guy talking about how separating yourself from society is one of the only sure fire ways to maintain your sanity. Do you feel most social interactions with or amongst the masses are insincere? Do you think it’s possible to find sort of balance between being a hermit and a social butterfly?

A: Yeah, I think most social interactions amongst the masses are insincere because many of them aren’t in touch with their own feelings. Since many of them aren’t in touch with their own feelings there reactions to things is usually someone else’s reaction. The way the masses interact with each other either comes from TV or some authority that they obey without even questioning why they obey. There is a way to balance between a hermit and social butterfly. To find that balance you have to be able to have some self-time to reflect and find out what are your own thoughts. Then when you are out in a social atmosphere you must be firm and not be scared to speak your truth about the things that you truly like to talk about.

Q: I’ve heard you say before that you wish the system had collapsed. Do you feel like that might help wake more than a few people up?

A: I’d rather we build something else before it collapsed but yeah if it collapsed it would force people to come together which would be great. It would help people realize how stupid it is to wait for money while our resources are just sitting there not being used.

Q: Are there any particular records or performances you’ve heard in the last year that have made a lasting impression?

A: Micachu and The Shapes and Selda Bacgan’s self titled record. I was late on these records of course but those are the two I can remember off top. As far as performances, I think Flying Lotus and Radiohead’s performance at Coachella 2012 was great.

Q: Could you tell us about some of your favorite movies?

A: I realized some of my favorite movies have been about out of body experiences… Waking Life and Enter The Void are some movies that had a big impact on me.

Q: Is there any advice you can give to younger kids in pursuit of making a living with their art?

A: To the younger kids pursuing making a living off their art… Be passionate at what you do and that passion will catch peoples attention.