Commissioned by the Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies, Durham University

‘Codex’ explores the connection between Northumbria and the rest of the known world as expressed in the art and manuscripts produced in North East England between 600 and 800AD, particularly the famous Lindisfarne Gospels.  At this time, the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Northumbria was a creative powerhouse overflowing with a multicultural fusion of Insular, Germanic, and Mediterranean art. 

This projection and sound installation was designed as a touring installation work across North East England for interior viewing, to engage with the public and increase understanding of the Lindisfarne Gospels and the context of their creation.

The university supported Karen Monid and Ross Ashton, the projection artist, in its research and development. The audio combines the sounds of many languages of the time with location recordings made by Karen on Holy Island itself, to convey the world of the Lindisfarne monks and the process of manuscript creation. Script development and storyboarding for the narrative arc was also undertaken by Karen. The images are built from complex layers of animation, filmed footage, and original images from The British Library and others. 

https://vimeo.com/1098722978
https://youtu.be/wTIoYtHisXY?si=8sYIvUgQgu0vyMes

RESULTS:
“I was blown away when I watched it this morning for the first time. I’ve popped back in and out all through the day because once isn’t enough to watch it! It is atmospheric but actually it draws you in, in a beautiful way, to that world. So many people today, who have come to see the projection have used the word ‘atmospheric’. It’s creative and unusual and really exciting.” - Revd Canon Dr Sarah Hills, Vicar of Holy Island

“I like the sound effects with the colours and hearing the story of all the people involved…it makes it all very real because they were real people, doing real things.” - Renee, a visitor.

Codex

Codex (excerpt)

Commissioned by Magnetic Events and Redcar & Cleveland Council
Created for the Odin’s Glow art event.
It has also exhibited at the Illuminating York Festival and the ‘Languages, Myths and Finds’ conference at the University of Nottingham.

This large scale sound installation was a deeply evocative celebration of the Viking and Anglo-Saxon culture, heritage and landscape of the North East of England.
Created as a surround sound work to be experienced after dark, it was situated in an open field in the rural landscape of Cleveland, from a vantage point where the peak of Roseberry Topping would be visible. 
Drawing on a blend of Viking and Anglo-Saxon poetry, riddles and purpose built instruments such as a 10th century reproduction lyre and handmade bone flutes, it sought to give voice to the memories of the land and the people that once lived there. All voices were members of the public who volunteered to be recorded. Built to form an evocative tapestry of seven different languages, (modern Danish, Norwegian and Swedish, alongside the original medieval languages) it sought to reflect linguistic heritage as well as the rich culture of the past and the scale of the autumn landscape.

“The village was filled for several nights with runes, battle-ready warriors, the sounds of hearth-fires and ravens and Old Norse poetry. Karen Monid’s sound piece, Contours, sought particularly to unite the Old Norse with Old and Modern English, and to lead people into a more nuanced understanding of the culture of Norse settlers – by first enticing them in with the romantic strangeness of the stereotype.” - Jo Shortt Butler, 'The Vikings In Cleveland'

Contours

Contours (The Seer - excerpt)

Contours ("The Land Is Holy" - excerpt)

A provocative 18-track journey through the boundaries of music, identity, history, and satire. Fusing global genres and eras — from 1930s Berlin cabaret and 1960s surf-pop to K-pop shamanic EDM and French chanson noir — each song dares to explore topics that others avoid: from repressed love and colonial legacies to bodily humor and media critique.

The album is a cinematic fusion of political storytelling, sexual allegory, cultural memory, and radical humor. You’ll hear Peking Opera vocals layered on dance beats, Philip Glass minimalism twisted with erotic repetition, and heartfelt reflections on war and exile interwoven with pop irony. Featuring multilingual lyrics in French, Russian, Hebrew, Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean, Italian, and Chinese, this album is a genre-defying cultural odyssey for listeners who crave depth, discomfort, and pure sonic art.

Track 2 Barebacking

Track 14 Les Silences de l'Éden

Track 17 You’re So Fuckable (Alt Version)

Track 4 Strokin’

Track 8 Любовь за аренду (Love for Rent)

Track 18 You’re So Fuckable (Dance Version)

Track 6 Küssen im Schrank

Track 13 אחוות דם

Track 9 洋鬼子 (Foreign Devils)

Track 11 김치 댄스 (Kimchi Dance)

A trilingual roots-reggae anthem connecting Stockholm and La Habana through the power of colors, bass, and the fight for freedom. With Spanish choruses, Swedish verses, and patois punchlines, it’s a global tribute to identity, resistance, and the skank of life.


Skanka por la Vida

“Basta Ya – Bella Ya” is a visceral journey through the soul — blending raw grunge power with deep introspection and expansive world music textures. From a whispered, breath-like opening to a triumphant, soaring climax, this track is a bold declaration of self-worth and resilience.

It’s a call to stand your ground, demand respect, and rise — a sonic tapestry that feels both deeply personal and universally empowering. With lyrics in Spanish, English, and Italian, its message of strength, truth, and inner clarity resonates across cultures.

Let “Basta Ya – Bella Ya” be your anthem — a reminder to hold your ground, breathe deep, and rise strong.

Lyrics:

[Intro – Whispered, Prayer-like]
Take a breath
Hold it in
Let it out

[Verse 1 – Spanish, Soulful]
Alma mía
No te caigas
Sigue firme en la verdad
Amamos
Perdonamos
Callamos

Pero basta ya
(basta ya)
Basta ya
Basta ya

[Chorus – English, Powerful]
This is your soul
This is your home
Stand your ground
Demand respect
Come what may

Pero...
Basta...
Ya

Basta ya

[Chorus – Repeat]
This is your soul
This is your home
Stand your ground
Demand respect
Come what may

[Verse 2 – Italian, Reflective]
Respiro lento
Sostenere la luce
Questo è il mio spirito
Rispetto

Ora basta
Ora basta

[Bridge – Inner Echo, Surreal]
(breath returns, distorted by emotion)
Hold it in you
Beh beh guy
The livin' low
Let all prove
That I here too
That I know you

[Chorus – Spanish & English Blend]
Pero, basta ya

This is your soul (This is your soul)
This is your home (This is your home)
Stand your ground
Demand respect
Come what may

[Chorus – Rising Emotion]
Come what may
Basta ya
Basta ya
Bella ya

[Final Chorus – Triumphant]
This is your soul
This is your home
Stand your ground
Demand respect
Come what may

[Outro – Empowered Affirmation]
Pero bella ya
Bella ya

Basta ya
Basta ya
Bella ya

This is your soul
This is your home
Stand your ground
Demand respect
Come what may

Rise

Basta ya
Bella ya

Hyperfollow: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/hybridroots/basta-ya--bella-ya
YouTube: https://youtu.be/LQV-2PHdS6Q?si=xqqCNh4Tr_Ege16_

Basta Ya – Bella Ya

Don Quijote (Spanish for Quijote) returns in the 21st century as version 2. He's still a dreamer and drops his truths. Maybe he's a fool, but he is an idealist for sure. And in this age of half truths he thrives. So better beware this knight.

Quijote the Glitch

What happens when you let ADHD write a song without supervision?
You get pancakes, three languages, and a bridge that makes no sense but feels right.
Not sure if it’s genius or nonsense, probably both.

Pancake Doctrine(Demo)

[Verse 1]  
Petals falling, red like flame  
Every whisper still calls your name  
夜の闇 (yoru no yami), I walk alone  
But your shadow makes it home  

[Chorus]  
Crimson bloom, you haunt my spring  
Like a song the sparrows sing  
愛してる (aishiteru), it’s bittersweet  
A garden lost beneath my feet  

[Verse 2]  
Every season brings me pain  
But I’d still choose you again  
Kaze wa naku (the wind still cries)  
But my love never dies  

[Bridge]  
花は散る (hana wa chiru), but I still remain  
A crimson bloom in endless rain  


Crimson Bloom

Rock song with lyrics in English and French. I altered my voice with processing to make me sound female. It took several months to get the sound I wanted for the main vocals and I'm not sure if I could ever duplicate it. I'm not sure I'll ever get the sound I want for the background vocals.

Punk Chic

Aiguiano, half human, half code. A multilingual hybrid artist exploring the line between emotion and algorithm. Soundwaves with a glitch, idealism, and a digital soul.

Hybrid Roots creates music that blends jazz, soul, grunge, and spoken word—rooted in fatherhood, balance, emotional depth, and human connection.

Each song is a moment of real-time healing—guided by rhythms of love, work, struggle, and the shared language of care.

From parenting through pain to rediscovering peace in rhythm, Hybrid Roots doesn’t offer escape. He offers return:

🌱 Return to rhythm
🌱 Return to roots
🌱 Return to what matters

Debut single “Life’s Balance” released June 13, 2025.

International Music Composer/Producer, Author, Radio Host & Spiritual Counselor

I create reggae and hip-hop music powered by AI – sounds I truly vibe with and want to share. My style blends heavy rhythms, raw feeling, and patois slang, always with deep respect for the culture that inspires me. This is music from the heart – no gimmicks, just real vibes.

Karen Monid is a UK sound artist and projection specialist who has created award-winning sound art pieces and son et lumière works worldwide. Her work is regularly presented at arts festivals and large scale public events.

New tracks tagged #Multilingual