An independent online radio station in Monaco has created around 100 original tracks to broadcast instead of relying on existing music catalogues.
The Sound of Monaco has built its entire music format around songs produced specifically for the station, combining pop, lounge, smooth jazz and funk to create a sound associated with Monaco and the French Riviera.
The project is produced by Jan Fabricius-Kristensen, a former drummer whose musical background has influenced the station’s rhythmic approach, with keyboards, bass, guitars, flute and female vocals featuring in its recordings.
Rather than selecting music for an existing station, Jan developed the catalogue first and then launched the 24 hour online radio service around it.
He explains: “There are already thousands of stations where you can hear the great songs from the 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000s. We didn’t see much point in creating another one.”
The station continues to produce new material while expanding its availability through international radio directories, streaming apps and connected listening platforms.
The concept has now been extended to a second online service, Christmas from Monaco, which features 83 original seasonal recordings rather than relying on existing Christmas songs.
The festive station broadcasts around the clock, with music recorded in English, French, Italian, Spanish and Danish, and is also intended to introduce listeners to the main station. Together, the two services have a catalogue of approximately 180 original recordings, with further music being developed for The Sound of Monaco.
The project aims to establish a recognisable musical identity for Monaco through its own productions rather than using the familiar playlist formats heard on many other online stations.
Listen at thesoundofmonaco.com.
