John Monkman crosses a personal frontier with the presentation of a new sonic initiative called ‘Asriel’.

John Monkman crosses a personal frontier with the presentation of a new sonic initiative called ‘Asriel’. The project takes fuel from a need for unbridled creativity and a thirst to break his status quo. Recorded in a series of impromptu sessions over a two week period, it showcases John Monkman’s craft in a new light.  

‘Asriel’ comes at a time of global pause and isolation. It presents soothing tones as a desired affront to the test of recent times, while also offering up a challenge that encourages one to delve deeper in introspection. Encompassing elements of ambient sound design and abstract minimalism, there are moments of euphoria but also of anxiety and suspense. 

“I wanted to make a body of work that wasn’t destined for a specific genre or label In the past, my main focus in the studio in essence has been writing music to make people dance, to make them move on the floor, and bring people into a peak state of ecstasy, joy and ultimately deliver a deeper connection to themselves and others. 

This is very fulfilling in itself, however, there is a vast pallet of human emotion that I don't necessarily want to include in this environment (dancefloor). I needed to create something to take myself outside of the everyday and allow me to get lost and rediscover the unknown and in doing so allow myself to reflect and ultimately reconnect. I hope this is an experience that others can also engage with during these exceptional times.” - John Monkman