INTERVIEW WITH MONA MUR
Mona: This is Mona Mur, singer, performer, composer, music producer, and 80s survivor. I love to hang out in my Berlin studio, KATANA, writing and recording my albums as well as soundtracks for games and films. I also love to invite musician friends here, such as En Esch (KMFDM, Pigface), Anja Huwe of Xmal Deutschland, guitar player Gary Schmalzl and many more.
Mona: I sing and play music since age three; it is a natural thing for me. I have written lyrics and recorded my songs since my first steps with a hard rock band as a teenager. Creating music is my life. in the early days, they always had to be a band. Nowadays, I am independent in my studio. I record bits of sound, of music, I play my instruments and record instantly. then I dive deep into the production process with my beloved machines, synths, guitars, samplers, and voice. I also love to collaborate if the vibe is there.
Mona: Inspiration can be a thought, an event, an image, a landscape, a film, but overall, of course, the holy rage and sadness about the cruelties of our species against each other and our mother nature.
Mona: Yes, I already told you about my musical influences. Very important for my “coming out” as an artist were also some groundbreaking movies – such as Stanley Kubrick’s “Clockwork Orange” – with Wendy Carlos’ stunning electronic versions of baroque and classical themes, “Blade Runner” by Ridley Scott, with its fantastic soundscape, and “Eraserhead”, first long film by David Lynch. These great works of art have influenced me heavily.
Mona: Unique voice, dramatic performances, heavy but beautiful music spanning punk, industrial, chanson, electronic, rock n roll and orchestral walls of sound, transcending genres into my very own blend.
Mona: In the 80s – playing live with my great band consisting of FM Einheit, Alexander Hacke (“Einstürzende Neubauten” ), Nikko Weidemann (“Moka Efti Orchestra”), Thomas Stern (“Crime and the City Solution”) and Siewert Johannsen (“Stricher”) at festivals such as PANDORA’S BOX in Rotterdam, sharing the bill with Nick Cave, Siouxsie and the Banshees, “Gun Club” and more. Later – Recording an album in the UK with JJ Burnel and Dave Greenfield of “The Stranglers”. Recording another album in Poland with a huge Symphony Orchestra. In the 2010er years, touring 40+ gigs in the US and Canada over two months with En Esch and SLICK IDIOT. Playing live at WAX TRAX! Retrospectacle at Metro, Chicago. Playing live is always a highlight.
Mona: Be yourself.
Mona: On SNAKE ISLAND, the second collaborative work with my soul mate GOLDKIND, everything is possible. We have unique electronic textures, brutal bass playing, and hefty beats, and we have engaged in creating INDUSTRIAL POETRY. And I have indulged in electric guitar playing, besides singing. Which I enjoy deeply nowadays. Try this cocktail, you haven’t tasted anything like this before.
Mona: Writing new film music for Rudolph Herzog, creating more soundscapes for my beloved game, THE FERMI PARADOX. There is another release of my early works, MONA MUR- The Original Band, on Playloud ! coming on December 2nd, and I look into organising a tour for 2023. See you there, hopefully! If you have any festivals I should play – let me know!
Mona: Absolutely.
Mona: Black, Gold, Blue.
Mona: All things plant-based.
