Artist Information
Biography
NEW ALBUM:
Monokino recently concluded an extensive tour of North America and is currently in the final stage of producing their 2nd album. The result will be more versatile, melodic and unique than ever. The album is produced by Monokino and Jacco Gardner. Already, the album will be released through the following record labels:
- Modern Sky (China)
- Konkurrent (Benelux)
Monokino’s single New Kid was 'Video of the Week' on Stereogum: http://stereogum.com/602141/the-8-best-videos-of-the-week/video/
Music Video ”So Street”: http://youtu.be/Km2rtwmP5Zc
Music Video “Melissa”: http://youtu.be/_nt233jnhbE
Music Video "New Kid": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_tHTmd5pgk
Monokino brings together the artistic visions of George van Wetering,
song writer, lead vocals, guitar, keyboards, and electronic drummer
and keyboardist Wouter de Buck. Monokino has toured extensively across
China, the Netherlands, Canada and the USA.
Highlights: World Expo (Shangai 2010), Strawberry Festival (Beijing
2010), NXNE (Toronto 2011), Sled Island (Calgary
2012).
Monokino's sound has been spiced up in a rather kitschy way
with a combination of melodious high pitched vocals, static keyboard,
rock guitar and electronic segments. In the course of a minute, you
may hear Soft Cell, New Order, Kraftwerk, Associates, Cabaret Voltaire
and Freur. There's a good line in angry guitar too, nodding a bit to
Hook & Albrecht. Producer Tony Visconti mixed the acoustic version of
the song "New Kid", sang by American singer/songwriter Kristeen Young
(known for her work with David Bowie en Morrissey).
Single 'New Kid', from the critically acclaimed album 'Human Error',
is released by Konkurrent/My First Sonny Weissmuller in Benelux
countries and by China's largest independent record label Modern Sky
in China.
LINKS
http://www.monokino.com
http://www.facebook.com/monokino
soundcloud.com/monokino/spotlight
flickr.com/photos/mnkn/sets/
youtube.com/user/MonokinoOfficial
'New Kid' (live in Toronto, Canada):
http://www.heartstringstv.com/episodes/monokino-onstage-newkid.html
PRESS
Tony Visconti (about song “New Kid”): “One of the best songs I’ve
listened to this year.”
Over your Rader: “These guys remind me of a band that escaped with
their creativity—nontraditional melodies and voice flirting with
electronics and a noir-new wave feel—Human Error is a gem of an
album.”
The Chicago Tribune (Greg Kott) : “South by Southwest’s best new
bands. Best all around the world in one band. The co-ed trio Monokino
delivered minimalist New Order-style dance rock with guitar, synth and
drums by way of China, Holland and Germany.”
Livexs NL: “This trio puts down a very unique and idiosyncratic sound,
primarily due to the voice of George van Wetering. We hear various
influences, OMD, Placebo and even snatches of Joy Division.”
Tape.tv: “glaubt man wie in ihrem song “new kid” (nicht zu verwechseln
mit den ebenfalls aus holland stammenden new kids!) daran, dass sich
die milde, an suede´s brett anderson erinnernde, stimme van weterings
sanft auf den elektro-poppernden melodieverlauf niederlegt, so prischt
im nächsten moment die stromgitarre nach vorne und verwurschtelt die
frisur komplett. stringenz im sinne von vorhersehbarkeit ist des trios
ding nicht. in china weiß man diese unvorhersehbarkeit zu schätzen und
sorgt regelmäßig für volle häuser während der touren von monokino. Das
video erinnert übrigens stark an eine manga-parade in freier
laufbahn.”
Music Psychos: “If you weren’t at the Garrison last night, then you
surely missed a phenomenal performance by Amsterdam pop duo, Monokino.
The set was eye-opener: two dudes on the stage with a single guitar, a
bunch of synths equipment and an empty drum set. Tweaking the synth
dials and launching melodically beams, they slid distorted guitar
riffs and high-pitched voice in between. To my surprise, the synth
player jumped on the drums time to time to escalate the synth coated
fun rhythm.”
Incendiary Magazine: “A really enjoyable LP; one that is choc-full of
great synth pop. Human Error boasts some very clever synth
arrangements and some pretty remarkable vocal performances too. The
lad on vox is very much a fan of Marc Almond, albeit without ever
trying to copy any of that chanteuse’s mannerisms. Rather, he bears
his heart for all to see on tracks like New Kid I’m Not What I Wanted
to Be and Someone Strange. On Boring Combination the classic line is
uttered: “Sex Drugs and Rock and Roll/It’s the most boring thing in
the world/And I’m here to ruin your night…” Ooofph.”
Oor (NL): “Has certainly got the potential to attract mass appeal
outside their home country”
Het Parool (Nl): “ This duo produced the most original songs of the
evening. Songs that linger in the mind and touch the heart.”
3voor12 (NL) “The duo Monokino has a distinct musical identity. Its
the most dominant band of the evening. George has a remarkable voice,
reminiscent of Brian Molko (only better).”
Studio Brussel: “The chorus reeks of the Pet Shop Boys and the set as
a whole has been spiced up in a rather kitschy way, but oddly enough
the combination works surprisingly well. Monokino will show you what
most other bands fail to present: a distinct face.”
Instrumentation
Wouter de Buck
George van Wetering
Discography
NEW ALBUM:
Monokino recently concluded an extensive tour of North America and is currently in the final stage of producing their 2nd album. The result will be more versatile, melodic and unique than ever. The album is produced by Monokino and Jacco Gardner.
Already, the album will be released through the following record labels:
- Modern Sky (China)
- Konkurrent (Benelux)
Monokino - HEARTBEAT (Soma Arts and Music, Shanghai)
Monokino - Human Error (Modern Sky Records, Beijing / My First Sonny Weissmuller, Amsterdam)
Monokino - EP (Newbees records, Beijing / Saint Records, Hamburg)
Official Website
Links
Video
Photo Gallery
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Monokino
Download print quality (high-res) version (Right Click -> Save As) -
Monokino
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Monokino - New Kid
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Monokino
Setlist
30 to 60 min.
