Monoclick

Monoclick gives a peek behind the curtain on the process of creating his track You Got Me, how a family member's encouragement has spurred on his commitment to musical pursuits and also how he views the balance between being creative and successful.

Zoltan Budai, aka Monoclick, is a name that resonates across the underground music scenes of Budapest and San Francisco, California. With roots in Hungary and a home base now shared between Europe and the US, Monoclick has cultivated a unique sound, influenced by the cultural richness of Budapest and the diverse musical tapestry of California

Could you tell us a bit about the process of making your track? How did it come about?  Can you remember where you wrote it? What methods did you use to produce it?

If I remember correctly, I made this track sometime around the beginning of the covid. There wasn’t much to do at the time, no clubs, no bars were open, so I had more time to focus on music at home.

I’ve always loved UKG and breaks, so I sampled a couple of old records to get some ideas, added some drums and a simple bassline, and that 4-bar loop just kept asking for more. I added some textures and chord progressions using a Juno plugin, and some vocals from an old movie. Slowly, everything came together.

If you could go back in time and give guidance to your younger self, what would you say that would impact your career the most?

I had a step-grandfather, a really decent man, who always said: “Never give up, just keep going! There is always a way.” His words taught me persistence, which is key in life and in my career. Of course, he didn’t know much about Akai MPC’s or the Korg EM-1. So, I’d definitely send an item list back to my younger self with those babies right at the top!

How is making a living from music affecting your creative output? Do you feel as free as when you started?

Well, I don’t make my living from music. I work as a Lead Design Engineer in the Automotive Industry. Having a regular job brings structure to your life, that helps you get things done quickly and effective that you can also implement in your work flow when you produce music.

For me music was always a passion or a hobby that I enjoyed a lot, but I don’t have a pressure to do it, just when I am really in the right mood. Best things are always comes at these times.

The common  saying “ Starving Artist”, describes the all too common path of artists and their lack of commercial success.  Yet, millions of new artists emerge every year, hoping to make a living from their art. In your opinion, is art compatible with money ? How do you stay authentic in your music when  your livelihood depends on it?

I think true art should come from freedom and joy. If you put pressure on it, it loses its magic. If you’re truly talented and passionate, the results will come.

I’ve had several favorite artists over the last 2–3 decades, and when many of them became really successful, they lost the magic that initially drew me to their work. They stopped staying true to themselves and just followed the money. Money is great to have, but it can bring more trouble into your life than good.

At Outboard, our aim is to establish a new way of remunerating music producers , fairly and transparently. Why did you choose to come on board?

Sammy (Brawther) and his community have always been a great inspiration to me, so I was really honored when he selected one of my tracks for this new project. It’s a new way to support artists, and I’m glad to be part of it.