Janjay Lowe, also known as Mon Rovîa, immigrated to America from Libera in the 90’s during the country's civil war. An artist that you will recognize as time moves forward, he has a versatility that immerses listeners into their own consciousness. Each release brings out a different perspective to the obstacles and lessons that have been confronted in his lifetime. He first stirred our fascination with his 2020 EP Sunburnt & the sophistication behind his music and visual representations. Today he flutters towards the top with an evolving translucent sound and tender storytelling. So far this year, he’s blessed our ears with five singles, from what I sense is the embarking of a new journey as the overall production moves more with melodic-spacey-alternative-overtones smothered with Lowe’s embracing voice. On a recent trip to Chicago, I had the opportunity to meet this warm and caring spirit & get to know the creation of Mon Rovîa.

After looking over your past interviews, your words really hit me on where you were going through your journey. I would love to know more about your early life...

I was adopted from Liberia, West Africa during a civil war, a very tumultuous time you know, and I lived through some parts of that at a pretty young age. I think your mind tries to block out certain things. You don't remember growing up. It’s kind of interesting. So I went through at least two and a half years in the civil war living in Liberia. I was around five with this missionary family, because mine couldn't take care of me anymore. Then straight from that into “paradise,” which is America at that time.

So I come from this place and I'm like, damn, this is unreal. This is, this is amazing. You know, everything else that you've ever experienced pushed to the back of my mind. It's subdued for a time because your life's moving so fast here in America. You don't really have time to really think about a lot of things. I’m in private school, you know, raised by this white family, with a different mindset. I'm not really worried about anything. I kind of had it. I grew up with most things that I could need for sure. My dad's a pastor, so you know, throw religion into that as well.

Growing up what were some of your musical inspirations?

Basically Bon Iver, Vampire Weekend, Fleet Foxes, Boy n Bear, Passion Pit. I really liked those kinds of vibes, indie is where my heart is. Those are more the heart, but I also spend a lot of time listening to Lil Baby, Gunna, Lil Wayne, you can feel hip hop.

Speaking of worship, how does that translate into your work?

I'm one that believes for sure, God and him creating things and us and whatnot. Your mind has to be open, to understand, to listen to everything. I like to hear about everybody's beliefs. I don’t impose anything on anyone, and everyone has their own journey. I can't control what your journey is - this is my experience. Each to his own. Religion plays a lot, at least Christianity, a lot into my music. As well this constant battle in my head between is there a God? Is there anyone who controls? What, what am I even controlling in my life? In terms of my dreams becoming a reality; is this not even going to actually become something? Am I supposed to be doing something completely different because this story is actually never going to open. So when do you stop?

Then what is your most contemplated crisis?

It's how long am I going to have a shot at living. I have an unreleased song where I say,

“not a day goes by,

that i'm not thinking ‘bout my own life,

every step and rise, could this be the last time? “

Everything I do every day is based upon whether I could just die tomorrow or not wake up. I actually have a really big fear of missing out on my dream.

What are some of your reflections from those fears?

I've wasted so much time here in the states living a glorious life of a privileged person. I have family back at home that I was never in contact with. I grew up not really acknowledging their existence, until I recently got ahold of my sister, who I haven't spoken to you in 20 years. So I would say that due to a lot of my existence in pursuit is to be able to go back home with something. The only thing I'm sure about in this life, is that I will pass.

Since you have also been moving across the world speaking of your journey too. Where does this incorporate into the creation process of your music, as well what phase in your life?

I can crank out songs really quick, I don't know if it’s the stories I have built inside of my frame that I've lived. Lyrics just come to me. Beats are uncharted land; what are these journeys I’m about to take into this land. For me, it's more I will sit and listen to the beat and write then in the space around.

I would say this is probably the first chapter to be honest. I didn't take it seriously until the end of 2018. Doing it by myself just putting stuff out without having any organization, not really knowing how it works; but I would say this year for sure it's just chapter one, dark content.

Now with the year more than halfway through, what are your next stages of this year?

Honestly, I'm just going to try everything; about to get into winter mode. So I'm about to go into some very indie songwriter-ish vibes. I’ve been inspired by Novo Amor, a multi-instrumentalist from Wales who sounds similar to Bon Iver. I mean, he, his stuff is insane. I listen to him a lot. I'm a very seasonal kind of person.

Can share anything about your new release?

It’s called “Deeper Waters”, my fifth single, very special to my heart. It’s about preparing yourself for when you reach a goal that you have been striving for. The journey there is what prepares you, the relationships and character you develop are what will help save you or drown you when you reach the summit. So knowing yourself, having that circle you can rely on and be open with, changing the things in yourself that weigh you down, are all of the most important.

In closing thoughts, what would you like to leave the people with?

We need to start building a redemptive culture. I think there's a lot of cancel culture, vulture culture I call it sometimes. There's more of a someone's down let's just pick on them and crush their souls to the dust. Life is best lived with grace and having people face their consequences in order to better where they need to be. So we need to have some kind of empathy for people regardless of their past actions. My music you know, it’s heavy, it’s dark; but I always try to have some sort of hope and outline.

I'm so grateful you had the time to share your story with us, it was great to have you.

Thank you so much, I appreciate it for sure brother. Thanks for having me.

Wading Through Deeper Waters with Mon Rovîa