Monae shares vision behind music, community building at Moogfest

For sci-fi soul artist Janelle Monae, her music is the soundtrack of her dreams.

"It's important to create the world you want to see," Monae said as part of a Thursday afternoon panel at Moogfest, the five-day celebration of arts, innovation and technology that kicked-off Wednesday in downtown Asheville.

Monae, joined by creative collaborators Nick Rocket Wonder and Chuck Lightning, discussed her influences, motivations and meaning to an almost full house at the Diana Wortham Theatre.

The 28-year-old singer, composer and producer views music as one avenue to better "our community," she said, noting that she wants to "shape the future."

"Using music as a vehicle to communicate our ideas," she said, noting later that music is "the universal language."

Monae's talk topics traveled far and wide, touching on points and locations both real and imagined, past and future. The trio focused on discussing their Wondaland Arts Society in Atlanta, as well as the the Metropolis future world, which they explore in her albums (Her musical narratives are focused on android muse Cindi Mayweather, who she describes as the new "other".)

Wonder, Monae and Lightning, joined by moderator Claire Evans, of YACHT, talked about George Lucas. The Atomic Bomb. God. Ancient Egypt. The Avengers. Even aliens listening to Stevie Wonder.

The depth and breadth of the talk represents the very depth and breadth behind Moogfest's mission. The festival highlights innovators who look toward past important discoveries and continues this heritage of forward-thinking. Monae is also the type of thoughtful artist who discovers creative inspiration through a variety of mediums, from black-and-white silent science fiction films to fellow R&B songstress, Lauryn Hill.

Moogfest celebrates the intersection of arts and technology, across a myriad spectrum of sights and sounds.

Although the trio have niche, expert influences and understanding, the work is ultimately about "telling universal stories in unforgettable ways," Nate Rocket Wonder said.

Monae also emphasized that her work is designed to "give people hope," to "give people something to aspire to be."

Moogfest's mission also echoes that sentiment: Music and art is about more that just dancing at a concert. It is an ultimate human expression, and can help inspire the best in humanity.

"The one thing you can change is the future," Nate Rocket Wonder said.