Following on from his latest single ‘Spend Some Time’, alternative R&B artist Monjola released his debut eight-track EP iTs NoT tHaT DeEP on Friday, June 14th. Crafting a unique blend of soulful, alt-R&B tracks with vulnerability at the core, the EP navigates cultural differences, overthinking and the power of community.

The EP emerges via Chamomile Club, a record label and creative collective co-founded by Monjola, his brother and producer MOIO and musician Abi Coulibaly.

Described by Monjola as ‘a community of like-minded creatives and artists,’ Chamomile Club is innovative, forging a diverse and progressive movement in the Irish cultural scene.

Like many, Monjola began taking music seriously during the pandemic. With unlimited time to experiment and MOIO on side, the artist embarked on a journey of musical discovery - defining his alternative R&B sound at this time.

The Chamomile Club team is both a community and a chosen family. Monjola credits their input on his EP when we meet over Zoom. "We’re a whole team’, he says, of the collective. ‘No man is an island. Any time we put out stuff, we work with a team of songwriters, graphic designers, and videographers. It takes a community and a team to put something out there."

"Chamomile is our family" says the artist on its purpose. "We’re a bunch of diverse kids bringing diverse people together. It really represents a new Ireland." In a movement towards openness, understanding, and empowerment, it aims to encourage an open discussion around mental health.

Using art as power is a concept that Monjola holds at the core of his being. The founder is following in the footsteps of close friends TraviS & Elzzz to build a community and create a blueprint for young black kids in Ireland.

Honesty and vulnerability are themes spearheaded by Monjola through his music. On whether it is an intentional move to start a dialogue, Monjola laughs: "When people ask me that I get scared that I’ve said something really personal. I’m just being honest in my music."

iTs NoT tHaT DeEP takes the audience on a journey through peaks and troughs of life - questioning and overthinking in a diary format. Opening on the soulful ‘On My Mind’, the EP twists and turns in a series of summer-sounding tunes, intimately exploring Monjola and MOIO’s navigation of a new culture. In sharing their story, they invite others to follow suit.

"Sometimes I get scared that I’ve said things that are a bit too vulnerable, a bit too honest, but that’s just me." He continues, "If you like my music, you probably like me. I try to be as honest as I can about my emotions."

The R&B singer hasn’t just been making waves in Ireland. In the autumn of 2022, Monjola was asked to support Kid Cudi on his European tour. "That was life-changing" he reflects. "It made me realise that I’m actually good at this. He connected with my music and brought me on his tour".

Playing venues of 15,000 people posed an immense opportunity for the artist. Monjola reflects on the last show of the tour. Playing in Milan, the singer was determined to sink into the high of it all. Touring with his brother posed a special opportunity. Playing music that began in their house to rooms filled with Cudi fans was a dream come true for the pair.

"I’m going to have to make music with him for sure," Monjola says of the ‘Pursuit of Happiness’ singer. "His music is similar in the sense that he’s extremely honest and vulnerable." Monjola emphasises that "people don’t expect that from a black male artist. It’s rare because it’s not seen as cool or what black male artists should do."

Chamomile Club is known for throwing block parties and pop-ups outside their Fade Street studio. "We made Fade Street cool," claims Monjola confidently. Bringing diverse music to sun-soaked streets, the collective hopes to expand their party energy, opening space for emerging artists to showcase their work.

Monjola ends the chat on a romantic note: "This EP is for the overthinkers. It’s for the lovers. People who romanticise love. Who want to live and don’t want anything to hold them back."