Q&A: Samuel Petra Expressed Hope, Nostalgia and Disappointment on New EP ‘MONOTONE’

Q&AMusic

Aug 16

☆ BY Gomi Zhou ☆

SAMUEL PETRA’S NEW EP MONOTONE — is the band-aid for a kaleidoscopic journey of growing pain.

Much of this project sounds like heartbreaks in different iterations. Some songs brush off the brief annoyance of a quick fling, others try to tackle departures that left permanent damages behind, and then there’s the kind of disappointment that was so nonsensual that it felt just like a heartbreak. Petra distinguishes the different feelings by highlighting various musical elements. “Dusty Issue” has a kickdrum that sounds self-assuring and nonchalant, while “Nada Más” echoes a sense of longing through Petra’s vocals and the accompanying synth.

There are plenty of coming-of-age musical projects, but Petra’s MONOTONE processes all the bittersweetness through a nostalgic sense. Something about the echo effect on his vocal and the confident, purposely delayed tempo makes everything feel as distant as an empty childhood bedroom.

While Petra is only 20 years young, both his songwriting and production style feel extraordinarily mature. Certain songs sound a bit more Brockhampton than Daneil Caesar and visa versa for the others — despite MONOTONE being a simple compilation of six tracks.

Read below to learn more about Petra’s musical influences, his path to being a well-rounded DIY artist, and, of course, the new EP, MONOTONE.

LUNA: Hi! Congrats on the new EP! Tell me a bit more about yourself and MONOTONE.

PETRA: Hey! Thank you :) I’m an aspiring artist from Alicante, Spain. Creating has always been my oxygen. I started making music when I was 13 and I couldn't stop since then so my sound is a mix of everything I love to hear and everything I made in the past. MONOTONE for me is a darker project driven by hope, nostalgia, and disappointment.

LUNA: What is “Dusty Issue” about? I really like the drums on this one.

PETRA: I actually started that one with the drums (laughs). I also made it about this girl who wrote me off without a second thought.

LUNA: Instead of me badly translating it on Google, can you tell me more about “Nada Más?”

PETRA: No problem! It’s pretty much a heartbreak song. The only way for me to write the best stuff is by portraying my mental state. At that time, I was swinging between disappointment and fear. I bet you can tell without understanding a word.

LUNA: You clearly know how to manage and execute every aspect of the creative process — how did you first get started? And how did you decide on the sound that you have today?

PETRA: When I started, I used to fail at music in high school, and I didn't know what a synth was. I learned everything by making projects every day, motivated to sound like some of the producers I was a fan of. I started making EDM music, and I’ve always loved nostalgic progressions and ambient sounds. My first favorite band was Linkin Park — maybe that tells a little about how my ears molded.

LUNA: While we’re on the topic, I was very surprised to find out that you direct everything visuals as well — I mean, a lot of artists in the US have a whole team of creative director/photographer/graphic design friends. Where do you get ideas of artworks and visualizers? In general, tell me more about how you’re able to do it all on your own.

PETRA: Everything that I make visually usually starts with an idea while I’m making the music. I also sometimes get inspired by the visuals themselves to make music. So once I have the idea, I try to find references in music videos and movies to have an understanding of how to execute it and the rest is improvisation. Plus, I don’t have many options being far away from a lot of the creatives I admire.

LUNA: Who are some of your biggest inspirations? Whether that’d be other musicians, artists, or just something you like besides music?

PETRA: I’d say people who usually make me want to refine my sound. Dijon, Jai Paul, and Jean Dawson are some of many.

LUNA: Favorite instrument? Favorite step when making a song?

PETRA: I love synths. My favorite part is definitely producing.

LUNA: We are three EPs in — any chance we’re getting an album soon?

PETRA: Yesss, definitely looking forward to making one!

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