Interview: Close To Monday

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

Depeche Mode led us to music, there are many bands that have inspired and continue to inspire us, but the starting point was the music of David Gaham and Co. What would we have become if it wasn't for music? we would work in the field of human communications. Most likely, it would be show business! It would be club life, or music festivals, or both. Or It would be the recording studio! It would definitely be something related to music!

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

We are music fans, all hangouts related to music - festivals, studios, backstage communication... and coffee haha. We like the outdoors; the sea, lakes, mountains for those moments when we need a little solitude.We are either listening to the music of other musicians, or composing our own.

How long has your band been around?

The band was formed in 2019, at first the founder of the band Alex worked alone and he released two instrumental albums "Perfect music to watch color dreams "(2019) and" Satisfaction " (2020). These albums showed his desire to achieve sound perfection through immersion in the experimental direction of electronic music. Alex records all instrumental parts using synthesizers.

How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?

The title of the band ‘Close to Monday’ was not chosen by chance. Our music transports listeners into the last minutes of sleep before Monday comes, when serenity and joy begin to intertwine with the awareness of reality – but there is still time for wandering and reflection.

A little bit about our logo. Inspired by the laconic sensuality of the Scandinavian runes, we chose the symbols ‘kenaz’ (strength), ‘teiwaz’ (success) and ‘dagaz’ (flow of time). Since ancient times, these runes have protected wanderers from evil, shielding them on their way, helping them to find strength in desperate times.

Tell me about your most memorable shows.

The group has not existed for long - about a year. Our first album together was released in April 2021, therefore, we have not yet had the chance to perform in clubs and festivals due to the pandemic. This summer, we can say that we have overslept the entire festival season in Europe, but we have a good reason - our soloist Ana has become a mother! But already now we are planning our first performances this fall in Germany and Sweden!

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

We love European musical culture very much! We are  especially attached to Berlin,  we have some of the most pleasant memories associated with this city. This city's vibes completely coincide with ours.

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

This is probably the most difficult question, we are in love with the work of many bands and musicians. On the other hand, this is a very important question, as it gives you the opportunity to dream and literally create our future.

There is a wonderful team whose street performances delight us every time. It is a Techno Marching Band MEUTE.

It would be great to have the following line-up: HUGEL, AKA AKA, Tinlicker, Ben Bohmer, Oliver Koletzki, Toby Romeo, Vintage Culture, Boris Brejcha, Christian Loffler, Nora En Pure, Famba, Avoure, Solomun, Morten. Tale of Us, Cubicolor, Polaroit, Dirty Doering, Aly and Fila, Feel, Artbat, Mollono.Bass, Dubvision, Adriatique.

And of course EDM headliners - David Guetta, Armin van Buren, Tiesto, Charlotte de Witte, etc

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

We would give the following advice! Remember that everything is simple!

In the media, people are constantly told about how difficult life is, that it is almost impossible or difficult to achieve what you want. But it doesn't matter what the media says Because when you decide what pleases you in life and devote yourself to it, everything becomes simple.

And one more thing! Only plan A is important, there should be no plan for retreat, the so-called plan B.

If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?

We would praise ourselves for the fact that we have not stopped in our development both as musicians and as individuals! Kind words and words of support are what every person lacks. We think it's time for everyone to understand that we are all together.

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

Each of one of our tracks has a different meaning and is special in it’s own way, that’s like asking to pick your favourite child haha!

Now, of course, all our attention is focused on our first remix, thanks to Ron Flatter. He created a completely new original track, it exceeded all of our expectations! Ron created what inspires us in music - a fusion of styles and moods with well-recognised notes of the main melody. It turned out to be a wonderful melodic house-techno, as Ron himself says!

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

Our track STEP BY STEP has been at the top of the TOP of two radio stations in France and Germany for three weeks in a row. And Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube Music have the most listens and views of our track WAITING. These are two of our tracks that are dance by nature and we think that because of this, people like them because people are initially characterised by the joy of life.

Also our music video for the track GUNS became the winner at two international festivals in London and Rome in 2021 as the best dance music video!

What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?

Most often it is some hint of a melody or some surprisingly formed rhyme. We regard such moments as a miracle, as a gift, as an epiphany! In these moments, it is important to immediately drop all other things and immerse yourself in creativity, no matter where you are! Then the creative process flows like a forest stream, which will soon become part of the river!

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?

Each of our tracks communicates a photo of feelings – a ready-made image, a situation reflecting their perception of things happening in the surrounding world and inside themselves, emotional experiences that are familiar to everybody.

We believe that life is a gift to us from the universe! And each of us has the right to happiness!

Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?

So far, there have been no disagreements, as long as we are looking in the same direction, we hope that this will be the case in the future! Especially thanks to the cooperation with the masters of electronic music!

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

We have already recorded 7 new singles and we decided to release them as joint tracks with those who like our music. We are completely focused at the moment on collaborations with the masters of the electronic scene. We are currently recording three remixes and two collaborative tracks. We can say that their release will take place in the next 2-3 months, we plan to release a new single once a month.

Ron Flatter ’Time’ remix CTM - Spotify

Ron Flatter ’Time’ remix CTM - Smart Link