Joe Zain, the musician behind Lunghorn, and Monique Grimwade, the voice of Monqi, are two artists carving out their own lanes in Sheffield’s music scene. United by a shared passion for emotive storytelling and atmospheric soundscapes, the pair recently collaborated on ‘Witness’ – a single they discussed with Exposed last month, alongside their creative processes and some exciting plans for the future.
Photo: @lili_takesflickis
Can you start by introducing yourselves and sharing a bit about your musical backgrounds?
JZ: I’m Joe Zain, also known as Lunghorn. My musical journey started in my teens, drumming and forming bands. Throughout my teens and early 20s, I played gigs around Nottingham and put on my own nights with my band. Over the years, I stayed active as a drummer playing in London-based bands. But during lockdown, I bought a guitar and began writing my own lyrics and poetry.
Lockdown forced me to stop drumming in bands, so I channelled all my creativity into solo work. By 2022, I felt confident enough to record my first single. Since then, I’ve been working on my own music, and a lot of it is inspired by my journey getting sober, which gave me a fresh perspective.
MG: I’m Monique Grimwade, a singer-songwriter performing under the name Monqi. Growing up, I was always singing and writing songs in my head but I never saw music as a viable path – nobody I knew was a musician.
When I came to university at Sheffield Hallam, I joined the Music Society, met inspiring friends and did my first open mic night at West Street Live. Lockdown gave me time to focus on music. I fell in love with somebody, and he taught me how to play guitar. It was very romantic, and he really encouraged me to just do it. Over the last few years, I’ve been gigging around Sheffield and released my first single earlier this year.
How did your collaboration on ‘Witness’ come about?
JZ: I had written the song and could hear parts for a female vocalist. I was about to advertise for one when I came across Monique’s Instagram. I heard her voice and thought, this is it. I reached out, shared the demo and asked if she’d be interested in working together.
MG: It felt like fate! Joe sent me the demo, and when I listened, I thought, This is the type of music I already love. We met, jammed and I ended up writing the second verse and co-writing the third. It was such an organic process – we were just talking about our experiences and emotions and the song came together like a conversation.
‘Witness’ is a powerful song with a very raw and emotive feel to it. Can you tell us more about its themes?
JZ: I wrote it in the depths of winter 2023. It was based on a past relationship, and the lyrics started as a poem. It’s very vulnerable – almost like a confession – of feelings I’d kept buried for a long time. At the time, I was quite closed off and wasn’t associating much with people, so I had a lot of space to sit with my thoughts. The haunting sound came from how the song developed over time, with parts like cello and backing vocals being added. For me, it’s about being grateful for past experiences, even if they’re painful, and finding a way to express those emotions.
MG: For me, ‘Witness’ feels like a conversation between two people, which is why it worked so well for Joe and me to write it together. The song took experiences that felt isolating for both of us and turned them into something healing.
Joe, how does making music as Lunghorn differ from your previous band experiences?
JZ: Being in a band is great – you get that buzz from gigs and working together – but there’s always a sense of playing someone else’s story or being part of a bigger machine. As Lunghorn, it’s my lyrics and my experiences, and I’m in the driving seat. I can take my time with it and make sure the music is as honest as possible
What does the song writing process look like for you both?
JZ: It often starts with a lyric or a melody that comes to me randomly – sometimes while I’m walking or just reflecting. I carry a notebook everywhere and jot things down. From there, I usually hum along with a melody until the lyrics start to fit. Sometimes I’ll write verses that sit unused for months, then suddenly find the right place for them in a new song.
MG: For me, it starts with poetry. I write down thoughts and feelings in a journal, and then I piece them together like a collage. Melodies usually come later. I’ve learned to be patient – sometimes a missing piece will just reveal itself when it’s ready.
What do you hope listeners take away from your music?
MG: Authenticity is key for me. By sharing my own story, I hope to give others permission to embrace their experiences too. Music and poetry can articulate feelings we can’t always express ourselves.
JZ: I want people to connect with the music emotionally. If it helps even one person feel less alone or understood, then it’s worth it.
Finally, what would a “perfect” year look like for you both?
JZ: A few solid gigs, another single and maybe a headline show. Long-term, I’d like to create a community around my music – put on unique shows, collaborate with local artists and foster a supportive space for creativity in Sheffield.
MG: For me, it’s about growing Monqi as a full band and exploring new directions with my music while connecting with other musicians in Sheffield. My songs feel a bit like skeletons right now, and I’m excited to see how they can grow with other musicians’ input.
Witness is out now on all streaming platforms, with a live version and video set to release in January.
@lunghorn_ // @monqi
