Taking inspiration from the culturalrituals—and politics—of Latin America, MonoAbe lets us in on what has shapedhis approach to electronic music.  

What inspired you to do what you'redoing?

Everything—my education, my family, my talents, andthe love I have developed for music. I can not really live without music, so Igot no other option than to be close to it and contribute to it in my ownway. 

Do you think you'll ever changedirection?

No.

What advice would you give your youngerself today?

Be patient and respect the times oflife.

Do you consider your work a luxury or anecessity?

Necessity. 

What was the last thing that made asignificant impact on your thought processes/creative processes?

Covid-19.

How do you keep yourself inspired?

By listening to a lot of music andhanging out with as many different characters as I can. I get inspired a lot bypeople, my friends, and the ones that surround me. 

What do you do when you're not"working"?

Nothing. Apart from trying to meditateor improve my yoga positions.

What do you want people to take fromyour work?

I would like to transmit the message of''no fear''.

What are you currently listening to,reading, or watching?

I’m listening to a lot of Cumbia musicfrom the Atlantic coast, I’m reading the instruction manual of mysynthesizer, and I’m watching lots of documentaries about how Chileanpoliticians stole the country and made it the most perfect neoliberalempire in the world. 

Which record or artist influences youmost?

Michael Jackson’s Thriller.

Is silenceimportant in music?

The most important. 

What are your thoughts onboredom? 

Try to meditate on it. Observe it, letit go. 

Do you create more than you consume orvice versa? 

No, I still consume more. I hope itwill change soon.

If you had to half the amount oftechnical gear you travel with, how would your creative processes change? 

I think it will get richer and clearer.

Is your craft democratic?

Not 100% but there are for sure elementsof democracy on it.

What's the oldest thing you own?

My voice, my body.

What's the most enjoyable thing inlife? 

Making music from scratch. 

What was the last law you broke?

I can't remember. 

Do you read books made of paper orbooks on digital devices? Why?

Both, depending on the content. For meit is more about the content.

Do you read more fiction ornonfiction? 

Non-fiction.

Situation specific:

As a musician, do you feel anyobligations during this global pandemic?

Yes—I should use this time creatively.And I should think about us humans being one whole system.

What do you think something like aglobal pandemic does to collective/individual creativity?

Increases them in mysterious andbeautiful ways.

Did the isolation influence yourcreative process?

Yes, it increased it.

How does the pandemic influence yourcreative network?

It made mynetwork somehow more together, more solid.

Name three records that help youthrough crisis times. 

Chaos and Creation in theBackyard by Paul McCartney; Thriller byMichael Jackson, and Secret Story by Pat Metheny.

‍