Derek Monypeny at Acme Records in Milwaukee on April 3, 2026

Avantgarde world music performer Derek Monypeny made another appearance at Acme Records a few weeks ago as part of a national tour with banjoist Kelby Clark.

Last time, Monypeny provided massive and dazzling psychedelic oceans of sound produced with a shahi baaja -- this time he came with a bulbul tarang, a related stringed instrument from India which features repurposed typewriter keys which are pressed down upon the strings, creating an etherial effect.

Buy his most recent release here

Recording information:

DEREK MONYPENY
2026-04-03
Milwaukee, WI
Acme Records and Music Emporium

Derek Monypeny: bulbul tarang
Kelby Clark: banjo (track 4)

Setlist:
01 One (20:48)
02 Two (8:36)
03 Three (6:18)
04 Four - with Kelby (8:38)

Total time = 44:20

Recorded with permission by Richard Hayes for this blog

Microphones: Line Audio CM3 in ORTF at stage lip
Additional source: mono SBD feed
Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 32/96
Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (204 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that sort of thing

320 kbps mp3 files (67 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible

Derek Monypeny at Acme Records in Milwaukee on June 8, 2024

A few years back I had the pleasure of seeing a show at Acme featuring a performer I honestly had never heard of -- Derek Monypeny. I eagerly went into it somewhat blindly for two reasons -- Ken (the owner of Acme) assured me that he had heard some of Derek's music on Bandcamp and that it was wonderful, and two, because he was nice enough to allow me to record the show for this blog.

This time around, Derek was no stranger. I knew what to expect: hypnotic, psychedelic, swirling, soulful music performed on the guitar as well as the shahi baaja, a type of zither invented in India where typewriter keys are used to bend the pitch. It was a thrilling concert and I am happy to present it here.

Buy his albums here.

Recording information:

DEREK MONYPENEY

2024-06-08

Milwaukee at Acme Records

Derek Monypeny: guitar and shahi Baja

Setlist:

01 First piece (11:05)

02 Second Piece (7:07)

03 Third Piece (6:37)

04 Fourth Piece (5:46)

05 Fifth piece (22:22)

Total time = 52:57

Microphones: Line Audio CM3 in ORTF

Additional source: mono soundboard feed

Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 32/96

Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

https://derekmonypeny.bandcamp.com/

Recorded with artist permission by Richard Hayes for the blog www.milwaukeetaper.com

downloads:

16bit, 44.kHz FLAC files (197 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that

320 kbps mp3 files (128 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible 

Derek Monypeny at Acme Records and Music Emporium in Milwaukee on July 8, 2019

Derek Monypeny came to Acme Records in July of this year and I must admit I went to see him on faith. Ken Chrisien, the owner of Acme, recommended the show, despite not having any LPs of Monypeny's to sell. Ken told me that there was a release on Bandcamp of Monypeny playing the oud and that it was fantastic, and that was all I needed to hear.

Derek's instrument for this show was a Shahi Baja, which is a sort of electric banjo made in India (see photo). There are 6 "playing" and 10 sympathetic strings on this instrument, although there are other versions with more sympathetic strings. One of the most interesting features of the instrument are the 30 typewriter keys which are used to bend the playing strings.

It goes without saying that the instrument played is irrelevant if the musician is not playing interesting music. Luckily, this performance was fascinating. 

Please support this superb musician by seeing his live shows, buying multiple copies of his great merchandise (your friends are starving for music -- why aren't you buying them music?), and talking to him respectfully after shows. Unless he looks tired or something.

https://derekmonypeny.bandcamp.com
https://www.derekmonypeny.com

downloads (click on the description to download):

16bit, 44.1kHz WAV file (412 MB)

suitable for burning to CD

16bit, 44.1kHz ALAC file (162 MB)

lossless copy of the wav file - can also be burned to CD or played on your iPhone

320kbps mp3 file (94 MB)

highest quality version of this lossy-but-popular audio file format