Interview- Monica Richards (Kindred.. an Endless Journey)

RedjMusic(BMI) is starting its 20th year ! thank you to Monica Richards for Kicking off the celebration with an interview about her new album- Kindred.

GC: Hey M! Thanks so much for starting off the 20th anniversary of Redjmusic(Bmi) by talking with us about Kindred- your latest release. It's so clear that you have a connection to all beings. How was it recording with all of these beings, including - Penelope who has her own song!

Monica: It was a long process actually, as I pretty much did this one completely alone. I think I started it mid-2012. I began songs, then found sounds, recorded sounds, brought them into temp sometimes. It was a really fun experiment. Penelope is relentless when I'm working, so I hit record when she was walking on the piano trying to get attention. At the end of Undulatos, you can hear my cat Pumpkin crying at me - they tend to start up if I'm singing! Some of the songs are more soundscape than song, I really wanted to just play with sound.

GC: RedjMusic(BMI):It's a gorgeous album. You mention it's personal to you. From your past solo albums, Strange familiar, like animals and into my own are amongst my Monica faves that speak to me. Tell us more about your process with Kindred.

Monica: Thank you! I'm in a new place, since FATM so much has happened to me personally. It's been quite a roller coaster, I've moved three times in 3 years. I've been somewhat isolated from my old friends and haven't been able to truly get back into touch with Nature like I used to. I think that's where I stated with Kindred, trying to find my personal heart with Nature and creatures as much as possible while not being able to really thrive within it. I'm still on a new path of learning about myself, and why I love what I love. It's an endless journey..

RedjMusic(BMI): From the moment that Kindred opens with the title track it literally took my breath away that it captured me at an instant. Your musicians- Paul Mercer and Caroline Jago, Steve Niles, Marzia Rangel and Steve Willett all have collaborated with you before- is it that synergy with them. Did you feel that it would enhance the album, tell us more about how they helped you tie the album together.

Monica: M: I always look to collaborators, there are parts that just breathe better if played by musicians. Steve Niles was able to just play in my studio, the rest I sent mp3s and files to, and they sent me back their recordings. Steve Willett sent me a DVD with a ton of tracks he recorded. I put them all together, then wrote other parts. I sent that back to him, and he played new parts. It all came together so amazingly! I feel so grateful and blessed for having such great musicians in my life!

RedjMusic(BMI):Thanks so much Monica and congrats on your album!

Monica: Thank you SO much!

Jules & Monica

Monicarichards.com

Redjmusic(BMI) celebrates its 20th year and thanks Graveconcernsezine.com and its readers free downloads of RedjMusic(BMI) music at:  https://www.last.fm/music/Spiritease