Monokino

“Magical electro pop and baroque fusion cement the rise of Monokino’s status as a major act in 2021’s music scene.” - Vents Magazine

Having built a significant following in Asia and North America, eclectic Dutch artist George van Wetering, AKA Monokino, has continued to develop his chameleonic approach to music and art. Incorporating elements of pop, indie, rock and electro, he has cultivated a diverse, explorative style of alternative pop music.

A frequent participant in China’s ever growing music festival industry, Monokino’s talent has enabled him to showcase his unique pop music around the world; from China’s Strawberry Festival to South by South West in Austin, Texas. Also collaborating with renowned artists including Tony Visconti, Kristen Young and Jacco Gardner, Monokino is intent on sharing his sound with a UK audience.

Forthcoming single, Your Underground is an illustration of Monokino’s distinctive, quirky approach to writing. Opening with ethereal choral harmonies, the track quickly propels forward with an 8-bit style sampled beat, punctuated by wailing guitars. The breathless music is the perfect platform for Monokino to experiment with his vocals, effortlessly undulating from falsetto and baritone and back again. Your Underground is an energetic, stylish slice of alternative pop sitting somewhere between the new romantic sound of 80s artists like The Associates and Gary Numan. Monokino enlisted the skills of J. Laser / Jordan Lawlor – former a bass player in M83 - who played acoustic bass (replacing the synth bass). As Monokino states: "His help with the production of the song was very valuable because I immediately realised that he, like me, wants to continue the tradition of songwriting, but is not afraid of weird musical ideas even if it ends up as less a pop-song than it originally intended to be."

Signed to Zip Records in the Netherlands, Monokino’s international reach has seen his works released by China’s largest independent music label Modern Sky. Combining his time between Nanjing, Shanghai and Amsterdam, has already gained support from a diverse range of tastemakers including Janice Long on BBC Radio Wales, Culture Collide, Backseat Mafia and The Chicago Tribune, Your Underground will be one of a number of single releases throughout 2021, culminating in the unveiling of an EP later this year. 

Your Underground is out on 30th June 2021 via Zip Records.