Close To Monday is a European electronic duo composed of singer/songwriter Ann and producer Alexander. Their music serves as a guide for those on a journey—whether inward or outward—inviting listeners into a world of hopes, fears, and dreams. With their signature blend of cinematic soundscapes, driving synths, and striking visuals, each track becomes an immersive emotional experience. The duo has achieved top 3 placements in the Deutsche Alternative Charts, while music videos like “Guns” have won awards at international film festivals in London, Rome, and Paris. In 2024, Close To Monday headlined as musical guests at Art Dubai and launched a critically acclaimed series of monthly releases, further solidifying their reputation as one of the most exciting acts in the global electronic scene. Their logo, inspired by Scandinavian runes of strength, success, and time, reflects their mission—to support and inspire wanderers finding their way.
“Pray” unfolds with patience and subtlety. Was it a challenge to resist the pull toward bigger, more explosive arrangements?
“Pray” is a track that screams, but this scream is directed inward. It’s a cry to oneself—as loud and expressive as possible, but all happening on the inside. The challenge wasn’t in resisting a bigger arrangement, but in finding the right form to contain that immense internal pressure.
How do you think listeners’ interpretations of your music differ across cultures and geographies?
Honestly, we don’t see much difference. We recently performed for a live audience of at least 10 different nationalities—from Europe to India, Pakistan, and Japan. They all seemed to understand us and what we wanted to convey. The core emotions appear to translate universally.
Do you write lyrics first, or do the sonic textures inspire the words?
It usually starts with an idea or a specific emotion—the experience we want to give our listeners. Everything else builds from that foundation. Although sometimes, the musical mood can definitely shape the final lyrics.
What role does silence and space play in your music, especially in tracks like “Pray”?
We have many tracks that use space, but that space is always filled with sound or voice. We don’t really have silence; we want to fill the air. The silence can come after we’re done.
Your visuals are striking and often award-winning. How involved are you in shaping the visual side of Close To Monday?
Yes, we’re proud of our videos, which are very much a non-commercial labor of love. We have incredibly talented friends who are inspired by our music—they dance, they make films. What you see is their interpretation of our work, and it’s amazing how perfectly their vision aligns with our own feelings. It’s a collaboration that still surprises and moves us after all these years.
Do you feel that electronic music has the same storytelling power as traditional singer-songwriter styles?
Absolutely. The question isn’t about the genre’s potential, but about who is ready to listen and perceive these sounds. We hope that through our work, even more people will become open to it.
Has there been a moment when a listener’s feedback about one of your songs surprised you or gave you a new perspective?
Yes, we were once contacted by the owner of a small British radio station. He had been playing our track for three months straight and sent us a message of thanks, saying we had created a track worthy of the best examples of British synth-pop. That was a surprisingly wonderful and heartening compliment.
“Pray” has a mantra-like repetition—do you see your music as a kind of ritual or meditation for modern listeners?
It’s not a mantra. In “Pray,” it is quite literally the text of a prayer. In the chorus, we are praying.
With your monthly release series, how do you keep each track fresh and distinct while maintaining a signature style?
We don’t consciously try to do anything special. Our signature style is simply us—the voice, a very old-school way of playing by hand. As long as we stay true to that, the distinctiveness comes naturally.
How has your relationship as collaborators evolved since the early days of Close To Monday?
We just wish we could meet up more often! When we do work together, hours fly by like seconds. It’s always a huge pleasure, both in the studio and on stage at our concerts.
Do you think the global rise of electronic music has made audiences more open to experimental or minimalist tracks like “Pray”?
…No, unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Twenty years ago, the audience felt larger and there was more room for experimentation. Today, we feel a revival might be beginning… at least, we like to believe that.
When performing live, how do you translate a quiet, contemplative track into a shared experience with the audience?
There are always people who are interested in looking in the same direction you are, especially if it’s genuinely interesting. We simply invite them to look inward. That journey is always fascinating to share.
What non-musical influences—literature, philosophy, or even personal experiences—shaped the creation of “Pray”?
There is so much bad happening in the world, and it’s all done by people. It feels as if these people have lost their faith—in good and evil, in others, in fundamental commandments. The state of the world around us was the main influence; our reality often directly shapes our creative work.
If Close To Monday were to create a full-length concept album around a single theme, what theme would you choose?
We are actually releasing such an album next year—you will see for yourselves!
Finally, when listeners walk away from “Pray,” what is the one feeling or thought you most hope they carry with them?
Having faith in your heart can be a heavy burden, but it is impossible to live without it.
