Jianda Monique

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  • Jianda Monique – I See In Analog: Celebrating 30 Years of Om Records as an Om Lounge 10 / Discovery Alum

    Jianda Monique — I See In Analog: Celebrating 30 Years of Om Records as an Om Lounge 10 / Discovery Alum

    Om 30 < > Om 10

    Vintage Dance Music, and the Shape of Things to Come

    By Jianda Monique

    Yes, “vintage dance music” is a real, life, living, breathing vibration.

    Tomorrow, May 9, 2026, San Francisco vibrates with a 1 of 1 vibe.

    Here’s my experiment in building in public:

    What does it mean to be a creator in 2026? It all depends on your ways and means.

    As San Francisco prepares for the Om Records 30th Anniversary sonic infusion on May 9th, I’m offering a solo perspective from an Om Records alum who was there at the start of the *Discovery* series.

    I was a featured vocalist on *Om: Lounge 10* and a featured voice on Tycho’s *Dive,” and “Past is Prologue,” among other sonic and creative journeys.

    Beautiful music of all sorts shaped my path from acoustic busking to electronica, and back, and beyond. I was there too, at the beginning of computing as we know it, the beginning of digital distribution of dance music s we know it, on the distro side as well as the artist side.

    As Om Records hosts its 30th-anniversary takeover — stretching from the sun-drenched Embarcadero Plaza to the shadows of The Great Northern — I am observing a quiet anniversary of my own. It has been exactly twenty years since I helped launch the Om Discovery series with “Wish,” alongside the “Wish” Remix as an inaugural Om Discovery, Vol 1 artist.

    Standing at this two-decade mark feels less like looking back at an archive and more like celebrating a creative birthday — a rebirth. As my funds, transportation and capacity are limited. I can’t physically be there to celebrate, and am grateful that music transcends now, just as it did then. We are all, always here, always there, in spirit.

    California Soul Electronica

    In the mid-2000s, San Francisco was the laboratory for a global movement in high-fidelity, soulful downtempo. I contributed to this beautiful frequency with souful California Electronica, first as a fan, then advocate, then artist peer. At Om, this manifested through my collaborative with Patchen. My early contributions were a small part of the DNA for a lounge vibe and aesthetic that defined the transition from sunrise espresso to the 2:00 AM after-party,and back again.

    I’m an accidental techie, so of course I’d transition from acoustic guitar busking sessions as a kid, to adulting in electronica. Some stats:

    Om Discovery, Vol. 1 (2005/06)
    https://music.apple.com/us/album/om-discovery-vol-1-downtempo/85181895

    Track, e-label launch with “Wish,” Jianda and Patchen

    Om Lounge 10 (2006)
    https://open.spotify.com/album/5BzWQxverMtxTFAfRPhdz7?si=BOCfIHrwQZGGEhy6PtxiVA

    Track, Wish Remix — Jianda and Patchen

    Vibing musically alongside such seminal artists as J Boogie, Samantha James and the full roster that I absolutely love. I was honored to participate in the 10 year celebration.



    Peaks, Valleys, Harmonies

    Even while singing on Om’s singles, and moving on to Tycho’s Dive and Past is Prologue albums I was working as a Content Manager and PR/Support agent at MP3.com/eMusic, and sister site RollingStone.com. In the aughts, we were managing catalogs of over 2.5 million tracks.

    Every artist, everywhere, is indie deep down. Whether you are playing to a stadium or a single sunset lamp, it starts with that creative spark — you’re a kid in your room, in your garage enraptured by art, music, spirit.

    Om’s 30th Anniversary event serves as my “Return to the Source.” I’ve been creating art this entire time. Though I’d reached out to participate, the loop has since closed, and my financial and logistical means make it as such that I can’t travel out there at this time. I’m still vibing, still making art in the same ways, same spaces, and have transition to producing work on my own as well as collabs.

    Here’s a preview of my 2026 single, “I’m Yours.” A collaboration with Ainaka, below.

    Building in Public: The Open-Source Artist

    I’m mid-experiment in creating in public, digitally too–creating an open-source roadmap for healing through art:

    • Music Tech Dreams Launch: I am using GitHub and Archive.org to host legacy tracks, ensuring my art remains. We all know that all things digital are written in vanishing e-ink, so sites like Archive.org, longtimers, are treasures. Just like Om Records (30 years online and offline is magic).
    • The Reflection: After the anniversary events in SF and LA, I’ll continue building, reflecting, creating. You’re welcome to follow along. I published a novel last month as well, “My Beautiful Device.” In this piece, I’ve posited the reminder that we are all coders now. We are all creative coders now, and that’s in our DNA, only the utilities and vibes change.

    How are you coding your reality today?

    Connect & Celebrate