IN CONVERSATION WITH MONA YIM
interview by MARIE-PAULINE CESARI
Numero Netherlands Digital presents Mona Yim. Chinese-German producer, songwriter, and DJ Mona Yim is making waves with her unique blend of bold beats, dreamy melodies, and raw emotion. Fresh off the release of Make Up—a high-energy club anthem about confidence and self-empowerment—she sits down with us to discuss her musical journey, creative influences, and the inspiration behind her latest track.
What first sparked your love for music?
I was always surrounded by music from a very young age. I started playing the violin and taking ballet classes when I was three years old. My parents were huge music lovers—they had an extensive record and instrument collection. Thanks to them, I was introduced to a wide range of sounds and genres early on, from classical and jazz to electronic, pop, and even traditional Chinese music. When I got my first laptop with GarageBand on it, I realized I could actually produce and compose my own music. I would spend sleepless nights teaching myself how to produce—it truly became my first love, and I never looked back.
Did you have any music idols growing up?
Growing up, I was always drawn to strong female artists like Kate Bush and Björk. Later, when I discovered electronic music, a whole new world opened up, and I fell in love with producers like Daft Punk, Skrillex, Aphex Twin, and Kaytranada. Stylistically, they’re all quite different, but I admired how each of them fully owned their artistry and vision. They’ve all created such unique and distinct production styles, which is something I strive for. Later on, I also got really into underground electronic genres—I was obsessed with drum and bass for a long time.
How did your background in violin and dance influence your sound today?
From a young age, I was touring globally with a dance group, competing in violin competitions, and traveling with an orchestra. The violin, being such a melodic instrument, helped me develop a strong ear for catchy melodies. Dance, on the other hand, gave me an instinct for the rhythms and sounds that feel good on the dance floor—something that’s essential when DJing. It also taught me a lot about discipline in music, whether it’s paying attention to detail while producing, curating a musical journey in a DJ set, or building the stamina needed for touring.
What inspired ‘Make Up’?
Musically, I love blending contrasting worlds—mixing heavier beats with softness and melody. I always try to create immersive sonic landscapes when I write music. Visual art is a huge inspiration for me, and I often think about how a song would look as a video or a live show. ‘Make Up’ was inspired by an artwork by Kotaro Chiba—an illustration of a girl sitting next to a bunny figure. The bunny is adoring her while she sits still and unbothered, almost like a reversed Alice in Wonderland story where the bunny follows Alice. That image stuck with me, and I went down a rabbit hole (pun intended), obsessing over bunnies. I rewatched Donnie Darko, and when it came time to release the song, I knew I had to incorporate that visual theme.
Where were you emotionally when you wrote it?
I was in a weird emotional place. I was far from home in Los Angeles, working on music every day and barely sleeping. LA can be a tough city if you’re not used to it, and I felt very lonely. That day, I needed a confidence boost—I wanted to write something empowering and playful to help me feel like myself again. Now, when I perform the song live, I fully embody that feeling. People often tell me it makes them feel empowered, so I think I succeeded in the end! :)
You’ve said the song came together quickly and naturally. Is your writing process usually that spontaneous?
I’d say so. I’m always creating and writing in some way. I draw inspiration from everything around me, and I feel most inspired and spontaneous while traveling and touring. A lot of my demos are recorded in hotel rooms on the go. I have folders full of voice memos with melody ideas and always carry a notebook for lyric ideas. Having this bank of ideas makes it easy to capture creativity when it strikes.
What part of the track came first—beat or vocals?
The beat came first! The vocal was actually a spontaneous one-take on the studio couch. Normally, I’d go back and re-record the vocals, but this one just fell into place in the moment. There was barely any editing after that, which is pretty rare for me.
Do you have a go-to look when performing?
I love pairing bold, chunky sneakers with more feminine dresses and textures—puffy sleeves, lots of ribbons, and lace. I want to feel cute and sexy but also comfortable since I move and jump around a lot while performing.
How does fashion tie into your music vibe?
Fashion is really important to me. Music is just the starting point of creating an entire world as an artist. Fashion, visual art, performance, and creative direction all play a role in my self-expression and influence how I write music. I’m super hands-on with my stage outfits and music video looks. I actually studied film, where we designed stage sets and visual performances, so I love bringing all these creative elements together to build something special.
If ‘Make Up’ were an outfit, what would it be?
Black leather over-the-knee boots, a long trench coat… and nothing underneath! ;)
