HOMETOWN GUIDE: Monki on London

Nina Las Vegas has been working hard to bring the punters of Australia new groundbreaking music from all over the world. On the current NLV Presents tour, she's brought out Djemba Djemba, Mssingno and MONKI. As the latter hails from London, we thought we'd help bring more info on her for educational purposes.

Just like our own Nina Las Vegas, Monki is a tastemaker that got her start championing electronic music talent on the airwaves before hitting festival and club stages around the world. On top of her regular spot on BBC's Radio 1, Monki has been a resident at Annie Mac Presents and has her own label, ZOO Music. Born to be a selector, Monki has already delivered eclectic sets covering everything from piano house snares to frantic percussive beats and heavy heavvy bass.

As she tours the country, we asked Monki about her favourite London spots for a Hometown Guide, so you all know where's good when you're travelling around her part of town.

East London Bagel Shops

"London has great places to eat, for some reason people seem to think the food is crap here but they're obviously getting noodles on Oxford Street or something. Keeping it cheap and cheerful; when I worked at Rinse FM, East london was my hang out and a quick pop down the bagel shop for a salt beef would fill you up for 3 quid. There's two, they're right next door to each other and they've been there before time began. It's an ongoing debate which ones better but I reckon most people would say Beigel Bake, plus it's open 24 hours for all the creatures of the night."

Richmond Park

"Richmond park in South West London is a spot I like to go in the Summer. Once you're in the park it's hard to believe you're in London, but you'll soon be reminded by the skyline of the London Eye in the distance. It's 3.5 square miles (pretty massive for a park in the city) and home to over 600 red deer that roam freely in may even try and pinch your ice cream if they're feeling bold. We got locked in the park once because we didn't realise what time they were closing the gates; a very unimpressed policeman had to come and let us out."

The Orange Buffalo

"Good hot wings are hard to come by. If you need a quick stop off to re­fuel these guys are your best bet. You'll find them in a little streamliner just off Brick-lane in Shoreditch serving wings to all them trendy folk. They're blue cheese sauce is pretty banging and all."

Natterjacks

"When people from the city centre ask where I live and I tell them I'm in Zone 6 (referring to the tube map) people always say, 'That's so far out! It must be long to get to everything.' They literally think it's as far as France or something. Luckily the part of town I live in actually has everything you really need. Including this little shop. Natterjacks has been a solid outlet for decent garms this neck of the woods since 1989 and it's a small independent store, which is always nice. You don't have to go anywhere else for clothing, this place delivers every time."

Banquet Records

"While we're talking about my end of town, another place I like to be is the local record store. It's not big and you may not find much of a bargain bin but you will find some gems in there and all the latest albums. It's a great little record shop and they do some really cool in store stuff, which is wicked when you can only fit about 50 people in there. It's a privilege to still have a record shop down the road. Plus, they are the main sponsor for our local footy team, so I give them extra props."

Catch Monki on massive NLV presents tour! The last of the dates are below:

NLV Presents International Edition

Featuring Djemba Djemba, Monki, MSSINGNO and Nina Las Vegas

WED 26 AUG - ARGYLE HOUSE, NEWCASTLE

FRI 28 AUG - VILLA, PERTH

SAT 29 AUG - GOODGOD DANCETERIA, SYDNEY

SUN 30 AUG - ZHIVAGO, ADELAIDE

Words by Tom Hutchins

MORE HOMETOWN GUIDES HERE

SEE ALSO:

NINA LAS VEGAS & SWICK ‘COOL SPORTS’ EP