Playlist with Friends: Monoform.

Craig Howell is a music maker, owner of the Instagram account @mono_form and father to Jonnie. He regularly posts photos wearing good kit with his son by his side, and is often wearing UW. 

These photos always make the team and UW designer David smile, so for the fun of it David decided to create Jonnie a one off matching mini version of our Navy Cord Bakers Jacket and Military Chino. And don't they look great!⁠

We asked Craig a few questions about music and Monoform and he created us a special playlist.
 

Tell us about yourself and MONOFORM.
I’m 47 years old and live in Birmingham with my wife Donna and 10 year old son Jonnie. My “real” job is as a Solutions Specialist for a Global Telecommunications company, and in my [limited] spare time I produce electronic music under the moniker MONOFORM.

When did you start making music?
I started originally in Secondary School, I learned to play drums and around ‘85 as was massively influenced by Hip Hop and Electro music. I used to listen for hours and try to recreate the “breaks” and then moved onto learn keyboard / piano and it went from there really.

What are your musical influences when you're making a track?
I take influence from multiple genres of I’m honest, although for me it’s about the space between sounds in a track, clever use of a reverb or delay can really bring a track to life, also intricate drum patterns and abstract time signatures make things more interesting.
I gravitate to tracks that are not formulaic, most electronic music has a standard dancefloor orientated 4/4 beat, I’m drawn to the (as my wife would call it) “weird stuff!”
 

You love to post about clothing on your feed! What sparked your interest in menswear and when did the idea come about to start posting with your son? (or
did it happen pretty organically?
I worked in mens fashion throughout most of the 90’s so I’ve always had an interest if I’m honest. The posts with Jonnie happened pretty organically, they started off just as a bit of fun way for me to look back through my feed at pictures of us both, but I soon realised that he’s far cooler than I am so I’ve been riding on his coat tails ever since.

Its been a tough year! Any ''feel-good' albums/tracks that you've discovered/re-discovered in lockdown to recommend?
My family are my leveller, but headphones and good music really give me that headspace when things are a little on top. I have a few “go to” albums that have been on heavy rotation over the last 6 months

1. The Future Sound of London - Lifeforms
2. Aphex Twin - Selected Ambient Works 85-92
3. Sigur Rós - Valtari
4. Kelly Lee Owens - Kelly Lee Owens

Instagram: @Mono_Form

Photo Credit @jackskite