Exclusive Interview with 'LO MONACO'

Lo Monaco has grown increasingly eager to compose and create music that is deeply meaningful and substantial, both melodically and lyrically. He draws on painful experiences in his life to create songs that are vulnerable and take the listener on a journey of the heart. My objective is to develop a distinctive sound that my listeners will recognize and ultimately connect with. The aspiring singer-songwriter is still in the early stages of his career, but he already has a long list of moving original songs that he wants to perform so that people all over the world can hear his vision and his story.
Songs about heartbreak are frequently told from the perspective of the person who has been broken by it rather than the person who caused it.

A letter in song form called Dear Abbey aims to explore how past traumas can have an impact on the present. It originates within oneself, from a place of suffering and regret. The song serves as an apology for the suffering caused by the person who used the sword’s blunt end in a rebound. It captures the internal heartbreak and self-destruction we frequently experience as well as the mysterious way in which we occasionally unintentionally cause the same heartbreak in others. Check out the song and the exclusive interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you all come from and how it all got started?

LO MONACO: I was born and raised in Port Macquarie (NSW East Coast) until I was 14 and then moved 2 hours down the road to Newcastle and have called it home ever since.

I picked up my first guitar when I was 10 years old. It was a gift for my 10th birthday. It wasn’t a surprise that I fell in love almost immediately, as music has always been such a big part of my family culture. I come from Italian and Irish heritage, so I guess you could say music is in my blood!

2. Did you guys have any formal training or are you self-taught?

LO MONACO: I had about 3 years of guitar tutoring from the age of 10 and then I was on my own. I was never really taught how to write a song or sing… That is only something I have actually taken up the past year to hone in on my craft and skills. I have found vocal lessons and networking with other musicians to learn more about songwriting has helped me 10 fold.

3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘LO MONACO’?

LO MONACO: Dallas Green has been by far my biggest influence from such a young age. I was introduced to his album ‘Sometimes’ by my cousin when I was 13. I fell in love with his guitar and vocal melodies. His voice is unbelievably angelic and he makes playing and writing music look effortless. I have always been fascinated by his lyrics also. There is just so much depth to his work, lyrically and musically. Other than that here are some of my other and more recent influences: Dermot Kennedy, Bon Iver ,Volcano Choir ,U2, INXS, Mathcbox 20, Eagles ,Yungblud.

Lo Monaco is literally my last name haha! Nothing too original or cool about it. I spent so long looking for an Artist/Stage name, then I had a friend say, “just use your last name, it’s cool enough.” So i did!

4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?

LO MONACO: Key elements are definitely lyrics and the overall soundscape. I strongly believe the music has to match the lyrics/message. I’ve always wanted my music to mean something and hold weight to it. I don’t want to be a copycat artist and definitely want to develop my own sound that separates me from the crowd. Almost like a trade mark. For example, when you hear an INXS song, a U2 song or eagles etc. you know it’s them straight away. Because no one else sounds like them. That’s the ultimate goal for me… A distinct sound with heartfelt lyrics that actually mean something or serve a purpose! The more people that can relate to my music and feel a sense of, “oh I’m not the only one that has been through this.” or “other people feel this way too?” The better in my opinion! I want to touch people with my music. Even if it’s only a few.

5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as FOLK?
**LO MONACO**:
This question makes me laugh, because I feel like I’ve only just got past this phase and finally staying true to myself whilst trusting my music and my natural sound, rather than trying to be someone I’m not. After all, why should we try and repeat something that has already been done? Like I said above, all the best artists have their own distinct sound that separates them from the crowd. It’s a tricky one because of course I have massive influences and pull sounds and ideas from other artists. It’s inspiration! But I have definitely learnt that just being me both in the studio and out is the best way forward!

6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative and entertainment?

LO MONACO:

I’m somewhat a spiritual and cultural person… but I stay as far away from politics as possible. Music for me is an expression of what is going on in my head. I write about things that mean a lot to me or when I myself have fucked up as an individual. I love telling and sharing stories. I’ve just never really been interested in politically driven music and prefer music with heart and soul. I mean I know politically written songs can come from the heart and soul. But it just never really resonated with me. Who knows, my views might change as I get older. They change from day to day if I’m honest!

7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfilment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?

LO MONACO:

I spend so much money, time and effort on my original music. I definitely have not made any wear near the amount of money back that I have spent so far… In saying that, I wouldn’t change it! Like anything, this is an investment and you can expect big returns from the start. I’m in it for the long run and definitely have no intention of slowing down any time soon.

As for the emotional and connections with other people, music has given back in that department 10 times over! I have met so many wonderful people thus far due to music and I think that in itself is such a precious thing.

8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?

LO MONACO:

Most of the time I start with a chord progression or guitar melody. I try not to force lyrics and tend to let them come to me. A lot of the time my ideas come late at night when lying in bed and that is so annoying!

Other than that it’s the special experiences in life that inspire the songs themselves. Like love and loss. I’m forever writing lyrics in my phone notes. I have a whole section dedicated to new words that I’ve learnt and want to use in songs. I’ll often hear words in movies that stick out to me, so I google them for their meanings and then save them for later. I also love cinematic sounds so I’m always looking out for orchestral sounds and things as such to use for ideas in the production of my songs. Same goes for my voice memos. There are a plethora of song ideas in that bad boy haha!

9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?

LO MONACO: Losing people close to me, writing a song about it and then playing it live. Like I said, I love to write about things that hold weight and really mean something. I’ve cried mid-song numerous times when playing on stage. I also feel like constantly trying to prove myself as an artist can be tiring… but I guess that’s just part and parcel of being an artist!

Other than that, just like everyone else I have past traumas and shit I need to work through, but everyone is going through their own struggles at any given time and I’m not one to wallow in the past!

10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?

LO MONACO: Nothing can top the birth of my son Alby. He has inspired me so so much and filled my life with so much joy. Nothing will ever compare to the first moment I saw him. I sobbed like a little baby. I don’t think there will ever be a musical highlight or achievement that will ever top him. Unless we played a big sell out show together one day. That would be pretty bloody special.