Creating the Sounds of the Future with Creative Coder [MONRHEA]

One thing we are all searching for is community. A place where we are fully seen, heard and understood. For many creatives this space is found in their art. No matter the medium, art has historically been a tool to bring different folk together. And someone that has seemingly mastered this skill of bringing people together with their art is the experimental DJ/Producer/Creative coder [MONRHEA], also known as [M]  (She/They) an explorer of the realms of Bass and Techno music.  

Photo by Michael Kariuki

Accompanying their friend to the studio in 2013, [M] stumbled into the music scene, after being asked if they’d like to participate in the production process of their friend’s song. This first interaction inspired them to continue seeking that creative outlet. But it wasn’t until 2017 that they delved into the world professionally. Throughout their journey [M] has used music as a way to connect with people. Actively connecting with their audience or creating an environment for different people to connect to themselves, the music or each other has been the driving force behind their work. 

Experimental music is a broad term used to describe any sound that cannot necessarily be defined, and as such it can exist within any genre. Whether it is experimental jazz, experimental techno, or experimental hip-hop, experimental artists are looking to either innovate on what already exists or create whole new soundscapes within their preferred genre of making music. In East Africa, we’ve recently seen a rise in the amount of experimental music being made. [M] is one such artist pioneering the sound of experimental music within the Nairobi artistic scene. Of their music, they describe their sound as experimenting with what music might sound like in the future. 

As a general musical practice, most artists desire to create music that suits the present moment, music that caters to the present feelings of their generation or specific audience. But [M] has seen an untapped niche in the space and has chosen to use their music as a tool to explore future representations of music. It poses the question, what are the musical needs of the future? When asked how they know what the future sounds like, [M] says it’s about recognising who you are in the present first. Understanding where you are and what you’re doing now, frees you from anxiety and means you can begin exploring options and alternatives for what the future could be. The future is about having options, and [M] has understood their options. 

The journey of an experimental artist is often a lonely one, with many artists understanding that it is an isolating space to be in. It is for this reason that many of these creatives find each other in what are considered “underground” spaces. DJ communities, cultural hubs, and underground clubs where those on the fringe can learn, thrive and share ideas. One thing [M] has used their platform for is bringing together musicians that are looking for ways to grow. 

Experimental music is a space to find new ways of creating and innovating, and always looking to the future, [M] has found new ways to expand even how they create. Using the digital audio workstation (DAW) Sonic Pi, [M] uses code to bring their music to life. Being able to blend their background in computer programming and love of music and art, has proven to be a great challenge and joy for them. Of producing music in Sonic Pi, [M] said they love the experience of being able to see the back-end of the creative process. Instead of just pressing the play button, they have to create the play button themselves for the music to be able to play. They found the advantage of this software was that it allows for artists who’ve been intimidated by other programming softwares a chance to explore something new. Most DAW’s think in a western way and don’t always make space for other expressions of music, especially African styles of understanding rhythm and beat. It freed their mind to create music as they truly felt led, without any constraints of software.

Experimental music and sound design has inspired some of East Africa’s coolest expressions of art. And in light of bringing together musicians that are looking for ways to grow, [M] is actively spearheading initiatives under The RHEALISTIC Collective such as TCHNO, a platform for education and exploration surrounding the techno sound and BYTE, a platform for spreading the world of music coding through Sonic Pi. And is looking forward to creating more spaces and opportunities for the growth for their fellow artists and aspirers.

Check out MONRHEA’s work within the experimental space here.