Berlin’s own Steffen Linck, a multi-instrumentalist known as Monolink, releases his debut album today via Embassy of Music subsidy Embassy One. This release follows the success of the record’s first two singles “Sirens” and “Swallow,” two ethereal requiems acting as a window into the honest world created within Amniotic.
Monolink – Amniotic Album
‘Sirens’ charted at #4 on iTunes Germany and was lended triumphant remix duties from techno phenom Patrice Baumel. Singles like ‘Frozen’ show Linck’s versatility in creating techno ballads while ‘Amniotic’ acts as more of a slow-rolling anthem.
Monolink’s music is almost reminiscent of Roots rock, but essentialistic and groove-centric, tipping its hat to acts like Bob Moses, Gui Boratto, and Bonobo. The stripped down productions create ample room for Linck’s voice to carry the weight of his haunting melodies and allow for lyricism to cut through, creating vivid imagery and pronounced storylines.
It is the experiential nature of Monolink’s music that defies the muddy definition of modern live electronic music. Armed with a singular blend of Berlin underground culture with the pop-leaning sensibility of American electronica, Steffen transports listeners into his own realm of sonic exploration. The music is pillared by emotive guitar tones, analog synth stabs and his own vocals – acting as a singular point of departure for this budding talent.
In Monolink’s own words: “EPs are popular with most producers and DJs in the electronic music scene. But I come from a band background and albums are unmatchable for me. I’m a huge fan of listening to large bodies of work from start to finish and taking a plunge into the world the artist has created. Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” is an example of an album that still fascinates me to this day.
Generally I wanted “Amniotic” to have a tremendous tangible connection to life and nature, especially the lyrics. When you play gigs all over the world, your life takes place at airports, in cars or hotel rooms. I have noticed more and more often how I enjoy getting away from society, out of the cities and into nature; and that’s very much reflected in this album.”
Amniotic stands as Monolink’s first complete body of work, following his 2017 EP ‘Burning Sun’ via Sol Selectas, and ‘The End’, a collaborative record with Acid Pauli in 2015.
Watch the live performance of “Sirens”:
‘Amniotic’ arrives today via Embassy One: daughter of the label that has released gems from the likes of Björk, Moby, Passenger, Royksopp, Booka Shade and more. Following the record, Monolink will be embarking on his 3-month live trot across the US, Europe and UK where he’ll be exhibiting his evolved live performance featuring live guitar, vocals and his moving productions.
Monolink Tour Dates:
April 20 – Empire Polo Club Indio, CA, US
April 22 – Coachella Festival, California, USA
April 27 – Spin Nightclub San Diego, CA, US
April 28 – The Ground Miami, FL, US
May 4 – House of Yes, Brooklyn, NY, US
May 5 – Parlour, Toronto, ON, Canada
May 6 – Flash, Washington, DC, US
May 9 – Clinic Wednesdays, Los Angeles, CA, US
May 11 – The Great Northern, San Francisco, CA, US
May 18 – Kin Kin, Guadalajara, Mexico
May 19 – Loo Loo, Mexico City, Mexico
May 23 – San Antonio Recreation Area, Bradley, CA, US
May 23 – Bar Standard, Denver, CO, US
May 24 – Nightjar, Seattle, WA, US
May 25 – Lightning In A Bottle Festival, California, USA
June 09 – Hans Bunte Areal – Freiburg
June 16 – Woomoon @Poble Espanol – Barcelona
June 17 – Woomoon @ Cova Santa – Ibiza
June 19 – Ayahuascruise, Riversking (Boat) – Paris
June 24 – Decibel Festival – Florence
July 07 – Feel Festival – near Berlin
July 14 – Wapelbeats Open Air – Gütersloh
July 21 – Tomorrowland – Boom
July 22 – Woomoon – Ibiza
July 26 – Habitat Festival – near Hamburg
July 27 – Audioriver – Poland
July 29 – Gardens of Babylon – Kloster Graefenthal
August 04 – Isle Of Summer – Munich
August 11 – SonneMondSterne (Katermukke stage) – Saalburg
August 12 – Woomoon – Ibiza
October 7 – Woomoon @ Cova Santa – Ibiza
Stream/Purchase ‘Amniotic’: https://monolink.lnk.to/Amniotic
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