MONTY KIDDO

Chicago is not simply another city on the global club map; it is the birthplace of house music, a place where the rhythm of the dancefloor carries more than four decades of cultural memory. For artists emerging from the city today, that legacy is not abstract history but a living presence that shapes how music is felt, played and understood. Chicago’s sonic DNA echoes through basements, warehouses and clubs, carried forward by each new generation of DJs and producers who reinterpret the groove in their own language. For Monty Kiddo, that inheritance has never been distant or theoretical; it has been a constant reference point guiding the emotional core of his music. “Incredibly aware. I’ve always personally been drawn to that style of house music and I think the rawness and emotion that the OG’s were able to capture 40+ years ago can be heard in my work today.”

The lineage of Chicago house is not only a story of sound but of devotion. The early pioneers captured something raw and human within the repetitive architecture of drum machines and synthesizers, building a musical language that still resonates across dancefloors worldwide. For Monty Kiddo, encountering that lineage has been both humbling and energizing, especially through personal encounters with some of the artists who helped build it. Their passion continues to illuminate the path for younger producers navigating the modern electronic landscape. “It’s pretty full circle that some of my biggest modern influences name many of the original Chicago house producers as their own inspirations… I’ve been fortunate enough to meet a few of them and their love and passion for the music is invigorating.”

Yet Monty Kiddo’s musical upbringing began in a very different world. Inside his family home, the soundtrack was not house music but the storytelling traditions of American country, where artists like Garth Brooks and Tim McGraw dominated the speakers. While the sonic palette may seem worlds apart from the pulse of Chicago’s clubs, the emotional architecture shares surprising parallels. Both genres rely on atmosphere, simplicity and the ability to transport the listener somewhere beyond the immediate moment.

“Lyrics might be ‘cold beer on a Friday night’ or something similar but man does that take you somewhere.”

That early exposure to narrative songwriting quietly shaped his understanding of musical emotion. Even though country music is no longer a central influence in his listening habits, its lessons about mood and storytelling linger in his creative instincts. The idea that a song can evoke an entire landscape with minimal elements remains deeply embedded in his production philosophy. For Monty Kiddo, emotional clarity often emerges from restraint rather than complexity. “Things I think I’ve subconsciously taken away is trying to nail the emotion while keeping things simple.”

Before the Monty Kiddo project existed, the artist was already building momentum within Chicago’s local scene under his real name. Those early years were marked by experimentation, exploration and a gradual process of discovering what kind of sound and identity truly resonated with him. Rather than rushing to create a brand, he waited until the musical direction felt coherent enough to stand on its own. The eventual emergence of Monty Kiddo was less a calculated marketing move than the natural result of a creative process finding its shape. “After a lot of exploration and experimentation, the Monty Kiddo project naturally took shape and things started to make sense.”

The decision also created a separation between personal identity and artistic persona, allowing the project to develop its own character and aesthetic language. That distance proved important as the music evolved into something more defined and recognizable. When the tracks themselves began to signal their belonging to this new creative world, the moment felt unmistakable. “As soon as I started hearing tunes and thinking ‘Oh that’s a Monty kind of track’, I knew it was time.”

The pandemic years unexpectedly accelerated that transformation. With touring halted and nightlife paused across the globe, many artists were forced into a period of introspection and studio immersion. For Monty Kiddo, that isolation created the rare opportunity to focus entirely on sound design, digging through records and refining his production instincts. Freed from the constant motion of everyday life, he could devote his full attention to shaping the sonic identity that now defines his work. “Getting away from distractions in modern day life can be nearly impossible.”

That concentrated period of studio work ultimately strengthened the confidence he brings into the DJ booth today. By the time live shows returned in 2021, the music had matured alongside the artist himself. What once felt like experimentation had solidified into a clear aesthetic direction rooted in groove, warmth and rhythmic patience. The time spent listening, researching and building tracks quietly laid the foundation for the performances that would follow. “Getting the extra time to dig for new sounds was crucial in getting me to where I am today sonically.”

Performing in Chicago offers its own unique education in crowd psychology. The city’s audiences are deeply attuned to groove and authenticity, and they do not hesitate to express their reactions when something feels off. For DJs, that environment can be both intimidating and invaluable, offering immediate feedback on what truly connects with the dancefloor. Monty Kiddo learned quickly that success in Chicago is not measured by instant excitement but by how a set unfolds over time. “Chicago knows what it likes and they’re not shy about letting you know they’re not feeling what you’re spinning.”

That dynamic has taught him patience, one of the most important skills a DJ can develop. Rather than chasing constant peaks, he prefers to build a narrative arc that gradually deepens the groove and rewards attentive listeners. The payoff arrives not through relentless intensity but through careful pacing and emotional progression. For both DJ and audience, that slower burn often creates the most powerful moments of the night. “Building the groove over the course of the evening to get that big payoff is so much more satisfying.”

Musically, Monty Kiddo resists the temptation to remain within a single stylistic lane. His productions draw from disco, funk, electro and classic house influences, creating a palette that feels both nostalgic and forward-looking. While the modern dance music industry often rewards formulaic repetition, he approaches music as a space for curiosity and exploration. Each track becomes an experiment in texture, rhythm and unexpected inspiration. “The music I make is for me before it’s for anybody else and I want to keep myself entertained.”

That philosophy is particularly visible in his sample-based production style. Rather than pulling inspiration solely from contemporary charts, he searches for unusual sounds and forgotten fragments that can be transformed into something new. The process often begins with an obscure discovery and evolves through manipulation and reinterpretation until it fits within the sonic universe of the Monty Kiddo project. Authenticity emerges not from imitation but from the sources of inspiration themselves. “When I find something that resonates, I work on how that can be manipulated and augmented so it fits in the Monty world.”

As his career continues to expand beyond Chicago, the experience of introducing his music to new audiences has become one of the most rewarding aspects of touring. Cities like New York, Miami and Toronto offer entirely different cultural contexts, each with its own dancefloor language and expectations. For Monty Kiddo, arriving in those spaces feels less like a performance and more like a presentation of something deeply personal. The opportunity to share that musical perspective remains both surreal and exhilarating. “It’s like doing show and tell for a job.”

Traveling with music that once existed only inside his studio carries a sense of disbelief that still has not faded. The idea that the project can reach people across different cities and cultures reinforces the significance of the journey he began years earlier. Every performance becomes another step in a story that is still unfolding. For an artist who once spent endless hours refining tracks in isolation, the ability to watch crowds respond to them in real time is profoundly meaningful. “To get to fly around to different cities and show people the music I’m making is truly incredible.”

Watching other artists command a room has also provided important lessons along the way. Sharing stages with names like John Summit, ANOTR, Jungle and Luuk Van Dijk offers a close look at how different performers channel energy and control the atmosphere of a dancefloor. The common denominator among them is not necessarily extroversion but conviction. When the music begins, hesitation disappears and the DJ becomes the focal point of the room’s collective attention. “As soon as they plug in their USB’s, they’re in control and the whole room can feel it.”

That transformation is something Monty Kiddo carries with him whenever he steps behind the decks. Even in unfamiliar cities where nerves might creep in before the set begins, the moment of connection with the equipment resets everything. The booth becomes a place of clarity where instinct takes over and confidence replaces uncertainty. Once the music starts, the responsibility is simple: guide the crowd through the night. “I might be nervous, mind racing, but as soon as I plug in, I’m on the clock, I’m in control.”

Beyond his own performances, Monty Kiddo also plays a role in shaping Chicago’s club culture through the House Calls event series. The goal from the beginning was to create an intimate environment where people could reconnect after the isolation of the pandemic. In a city rich with musical heritage, House Calls offered a new platform for artists who were not always receiving opportunities within larger venues. “The original intention of the party was to create an intimate space for people to connect out of COVID.”

The atmosphere of the events quickly became their defining characteristic. Even as the rooms have grown larger and the lineups more diverse, the sense of closeness between artist and audience remains central to the experience. For many attendees, the nights feel less like traditional club events and more like gatherings among friends united by a shared love for house music. That spirit of community continues to guide the project’s evolution. “A feeling like you’re home listening to the most incredible music with your best friends.”

Looking ahead, Monty Kiddo believes the future of Chicago house will depend less on individual stars and more on collaboration across scenes and neighborhoods. The city’s musical ecosystem is evolving as artists and promoters increasingly support each other rather than operating in isolated circles. That exchange of audiences and ideas strengthens the cultural fabric that has sustained Chicago house for decades. In many ways, the next chapter is already unfolding across both established venues and grassroots DIY spaces. “The next chapter of Chicago house is all about community.”

From underground warehouse parties to internationally recognized stages, the spirit of the city continues to adapt without losing its essence. Large clubs still host major acts and attract global attention, but the smaller DIY scene remains a crucial incubator for experimentation and new voices. For Monty Kiddo, that balance ensures the culture remains alive rather than fossilized by nostalgia. Chicago house has always been about movement, evolution and shared energy. “The DIY scene continues to push that Chicago spirit forward and into the next evolution of Chicago House.”