Mon Rovîa is a Liberian-born, Chattanooga-based artist that is sharing stories of resilience and connecting listeners to a genre most are not familiar with: Afro Appalachian Folk. Mon Rovîa, his stage name, pays tribute to his birthplace, Liberia’s capital city. During Liberia’s Civil War – one of the deadliest wars in Africa’s history – Mon Rovîa and his siblings were adopted and moved to the United States, where they grew up. He made his musical debut in 2021 with Dark Continent, an EP that melds electronic, pop and folk influences. Over the past three years, Mon Rovîa has released several singles and EPs, cultivated a loyal following, embarked on two headlining tours, and woven the sounds of Liberia and Afro Appalachia into the folk music landscape. Just days after the release of his newest single, “crooked the road.,” we gathered at Bowery Ballroom to experience one of Mon Rovîa’s performances.
After an opening set from the charming Tish Melton, Mon Rovîa took to the stage with just his ukulele and his band behind him. He opened the show with an unreleased track, “Wishing On A Star”. The crowd instantly fell into a captivated silence as Mon Rovîa’s dreamy vocals and textured storytelling blanketed the crowd.
Mon Rovîa delved into his musical repertoire with songs such as “Outlaw For Your Love,” and “To Watch the World Spin Without You.” Many of Mon Rovîa’s songs explore feelings of loneliness and aimlessness. Between songs, he spoke about escaping from and returning to Liberia, navigating the path towards becoming a musician, and his personal struggles with mental health. He encouraged listeners to “grow through what you go through” in songs like “Garden Gate” and likened many of life's struggles to those of Sisyphus, the figure in Greek Mythology condemned to repeatedly roll a rock up a hill only for it to fall back down, in the song “Trials.”
As the night progressed, we explored more of the poetry that is Mon Rovîa’s discography. Towards the end of his set, he welcomed Tish Melton back to the stage to join him in a performance of “City on a Hill,” the lead single from his most recent EP, Act 3: The Dying of Self. This track urges listeners to find and embrace stillness amongst the mental chaos, a recurring motif in his music. Mon Rovîa’s ability to evoke calmness is why many compare his songs to lullabies. Mon Rovîa’s tranquil melodies and serene vocals offer listeners a gateway to inner peace.
To close his set, Mon Rovîa played “Big Love Ahead” and a soon-to-be-released song called “Winter Wash 24,” inspired by his ideas on Western naivety regarding global struggles. He described awareness as “currency”, and invited those in the West to see the struggles of others as part of their individual ecosystem and therefore connected to their own personal struggles. Mon Rovîa welcomed the audience into his own introspective journey and left us not just with echoes of melodies, but with a renewed sense of inspiration to embark on our own self-guided explorations of our inner landscapes. As we witness Mon Rovîa’s growing influence in the folk music scene, we look forward to the world discovering the unique sound of Afro Appalachian folk.
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Jonathan Sherman
Jonathan is a multi-talented creative who bridges the worlds of music and technology. As the CEO and founder of Return Records, he is building a modern record label with a retro-inspired sound. As a Change Manager and Digital Experience Specialist at an international organization, he focuses on reimagining user experiences. From his early inspirations listening to Bob Dylan and Motown, to his work today as a musician, DJ, and label founder, Jonathan embodies a dynamic and multidisciplinary approach to artistry, proving that music and tech can find their perfect groove.
During golden hour on the rooftop of Return Records (the setting of many music videos and most recently, a songwriting camp), we caught up Jonathan, where he answered a few questions for the groovement:
What was the first concert you attended?
The first concert I ever attended was Bob Dylan in the early 2000s at the Portland Civic Center. At the time, guitar and songwriting were my whole world, so seeing Dylan live left a major impression. I was struck not only by his place as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, but also by his longevity and the way he constantly reinvented his music. It showed me that artistry can be timeless, dynamic, and always evolving.
Where are you from?
I’m originally from Kennebunkport, Maine, though I also grew up in Newton, Massachusetts just outside of Boston. I spent about ten years in Newton and another ten years in Maine before moving to Washington, DC. There, I studied international affairs and economics at American University and later earned a master’s in information technology from Georgetown University. I went on to spend around 12 years working in the government tech sector and entertainment. About two and a half years ago, I relocated to New York City, which has become home and the center of my work in both music and technology.
What do you do?
That’s the proverbial question in New York — and for me, it’s a two-part answer. By night, I’m in the music industry as the CEO and founder of Return Records, a distributed label with The Orchard and Sony Music. We focus on analog and retro-inspired sounds across house, pop, and rock, with the goal of becoming the Motown of the digital era. The label supports artists through live performance opportunities, publishing administration, music distribution, community building, and production.
By day, I’m a Change Manager and Digital Experience Specialist at an international organization. My work there is about reimagining user experiences for their digital products and helping drive adoption of AI tools among staff and contractors. It’s a balance of innovation and artistry — and both sides feed each other in surprising ways.
Who or what do you draw inspiration from?
I’ve always been a multidisciplinary artist, so my inspiration comes from many places.
In music, I’m influenced by Motown, Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Daft Punk, The Strokes, The Black Keys, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Tears for Fears, Michael Jackson, Wham!, Hall & Oates, and the Philadelphia Sound.
In art, my mother — a visual artist — introduced me to Van Gogh, Picasso, Maurice Utrillo, and the Impressionists.
In fashion, I’ve been drawn to American designers like Tom Ford and Thom Browne, as well as Italian masters like Giorgio Armani.
At the heart of it, I’m inspired by the spirit of 1920s French soirees — where music, art, fashion, and lifestyle merged to create transformative experiences.
What does live music mean to you?
For me, live music has always been about connection. When I was growing up, live performance meant seeing the artist in full — not just hearing their songs, but experiencing their presence and how they connected with people.
Today, I think live music has become something even more multi-dimensional. In a world shaped by digital platforms, social media, and post-COVID virtual experiences, live entertainment is about creating a multi-sensory, emotional connection. A great live show should engage all the senses — sight, sound, even atmosphere — and bridge the digital with the physical. To me, the best performances are immersive, holistic experiences that leave audiences feeling transformed.
Do you play any instruments?
Yes, I play several. I play acoustic and electric guitar, piano and keyboard, and I’m also a DJ, spinning mostly disco house and funky house. I’ve always been both a performer and an instrumentalist. While I don’t claim to be the best among my friends, I’ve always had enough rhythm and grounding in music fundamentals to write songs and shape ideas. From there, I often let performers and producers elevate the work. That’s been my process as a singer-songwriter and it continues in my role as a label founder.
Connect with Jonathan on Instagram, via email (info@returnrecords.com) or by phone (301-335-2794).
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