As the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, the Recording Academy reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors. Today, electro-pop/alt-R&B artist MONOGEM shares her Quarantine Diary. MONOGEM's latest track "Paraíso" is out now.
[8:20 a.m.] I just woke up to some rare clouds here in Santa Monica, Calif. The June gloom makes it easy to stay in bed a few extra minutes while I prepare to dive into my calendar and emails, but really a 30-minute Instagram sinkhole.
I was supposed to be in Mexico City this month exploring the city, playing a couple shows, doing some radio interviews and visiting family. It’s bittersweet to think of all of the things that could’ve happened this year, but I am doing my best to stay positive and lean into a new daily routine.
[10:14 a.m.] After a nice long walk with my dog, Sadie, and a homemade oatmilk latte, now it’s time to get a workout in. I always try to get some kind of activity in every day and I like to switch it up between jogging outside, yoga on Zoom, and at-home circuit workouts that I find online. Today, I’ll do a weight circuit.
While I was exercising, I caught my song live on the air on KCRW, which is pretty much the coolest thing ever! I am full of gratitude and it will always be completely surreal to hear my music on the radio.
[12:50 p.m.] Lunch is served. My days get busy after 1 p.m. with writing sessions, recording vocals and occasionally teaching voice lessons on FaceTime. I’ve started preparing pre-sliced salad fixings to make things easier. Today I made a spinach arugula salad with cucumber, radish, cherry tomato, homemade pickled onions, hard boiled egg and Sprouts veggie couscous with a red wine vinaigrette. It was delicious.
[2 p.m.] I have a couple voice students today; here is my virtual teaching setup in my home studio. I'm finding it’s actually just as productive as in-person lessons, maybe even more. Singers are extra-exposed since I can’t accompany them in real time without a delay. So as a result, pitch is extra fine-tuned now.
[4:25 p.m.] Quick cuddle break with Sadie, my poodle, who just turned 11.
[5 p.m.] Happy hour, my new favorite thing. Today I'm enjoying an ice cold beer (I never drink beer), but it’s summer and why not? I’m about to FaceTime with my friend who speaks with me in Spanish for an hour twice a week. It’s great practice for me to brush up, conversationally, with all of my new music being released in Spanish.
[8:46 p.m.] After dinner, now I'm getting set up to record a live video for something exciting that will be released very soon. I’m playing my new single and a song off my last EP.
[10:13 p.m.] I got the video take—success! Now it’s time to binge-watch "The Path" on Hulu. It’s about a modern day cult-type, religious movement starring Aaron Paul and I. Am. Obsessed. After two episodes, it’s bedtime. Thanks for joining me today. Until next time…besos x.
If you wish to support our efforts to assist music professionals in need, learn more about the Recording Academy's and MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund.
If you are a member of the music industry in need of assistance, visit the MusiCares website.
