Amsterdam-based artist Monokino is the alias for the pop composer George van Wetering who originally founded and fronted the indie band of the same name. Once part of the roster of foreign acts released by Modern Sky, a Chinese record label and major player in the Asian music scene, he now ventures out as a solo artist.
The artist has already built up a large following in Asia and North America while developing his unique approach to music and art in general. Blending elements of indie, pop, rock and electro he’s a versatile musical force that flirts with different styles and genres while exploring his own alternative pop universe.
Taking his sound to live audiences, he’s graced festival stages all over the world from China’s Strawberry Festival to the prestigious SXSW in Austin, Texas. He’s also linked with well known creatives on collaborations such as Jacco Gardner as well as Tony Visconti and the artist Kristeen Young on their hit song “New Kid”.
Following last year’s singles “Your Underground”, “Bend or Break” and “No Return” he now shares his latest work with the new track titled “Baby”. Featuring his typical genre-bending style, on “Baby” he delivers his infectiously catchy songwriting on an energetic modern indie rock outing dripping in fuzzy rock guitar leads and a driving beat.
Paired with the single comes a visual offering created by the artist himself. Created entirely by ASCII characters, the video captures a retro-futurism style to perfectly pair with the sonic aesthetic of the music.
Watch the visuals for Baby below
Commenting on the new single, Monokino shares, “The music for ‘Baby’ came about after someone said that, musically, I might want too much in my songs and I should stick with a simple chord progression. Of course, I didn’t agree and, in protest, I started making a song with only 1 bass note.”
Continuing, “That soon got boring and a different bass and guitar riff was created when I stepped on my distortion pedal. I never actually sang in this kind of talking voice on that pitch — but I imagined myself driving in a racing car, singing ‘Baby’ in this Billy Idol kind of way.”
Listen to Baby below
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