The 21st Century Monads

The 21st Century Monads are an international musical collaboration whose music deals with fundamental issues in philosophy, including specialized topics in contemporary analytic philosophy and the history of philosophy. The musical genres range from dance to folk. The songs are unique, original songs, not cheesy parodies. We provide our songs to you for free. If you enjoyed them, please consider paying it forward by making an appropriate donation to a charity of your choice. Thanks!

The Ways

Some things are best left unsaid Music copyright 2024 © The 21st Century Monads Music and lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Kris McDaniel: vocals, bass melodion, bass xylophone, clarinet, nova dood, soprano recorder, stellar flutes Laura Callahan: vocals Cover art by Carrie Jenkins. Copyright 2025 © The 21st Century Monads

06-09
03:21

The Shore

Just another adventure. Music copyright 2024 © The 21st Century Monads Music and lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Kris McDaniel: vocals, banjitar, bass ukulele, bass melodion, bawu, clarinet, hulusi, bawu, clarinet, hulusi, nova jhorn, soprano recorder, stellar flutes, three-string ukulele Laura Callahan: vocals Cover art by Carrie Jenkins. Copyright 2025 © The 21st Century Monads

06-09
02:29

The Impossible

Some things just cannot not be. Music copyright 2024 © The 21st Century Monads Music and lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Kris McDaniel: vocals, bass recorder, bass clarinet, clarinet, hulusi, slide pan flute, soprano recorder Cover art by Carrie Jenkins. Copyright 2025 © The 21st Century Monads

06-09
01:05

Tough Enough

You can’t handle the truth! Music copyright 2024 © The 21st Century Monads Music and lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Kris McDaniel: vocals, acoustic guitar, baby sitar, bass guitar, clarinet, drums, nova dude, soprano saxophone Laura Callahan: vocals Cover art by Carrie Jenkins. Copyright 2025 © The 21st Century Monads

06-09
03:21

Write Alone

Is the author really dead, or is it just me? Music copyright 2024 © The 21st Century Monads Music and lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Kris McDaniel: vocals, alto recorder, baby sitar, bass guitar, bawu, drums, hand percussion, practice guzheng, soprano recorder, soprano sax, stellar flutes, tongue drum Laura Callahan: vocals Cover art by Carrie Jenkins. Copyright 2025 © The 21st Century Monads

06-09
02:41

Your Noumena Are Ill

We have no windows. Music copyright 2025 © The 21st Century Monads Music and lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Kris McDaniel: banjitar (bowed), bass guitar, bouzouki, clarinet, drums, Godin Multi-Oud, Guitar (electric), hand percussion, Ran (electric), stellar flutes, Ukulele (8 string) Ben Bradley: vocals Laura Callahan: fiddle, vocals Cover art by Carrie Jenkins. Copyright 2025 © The 21st Century Monads

06-09
02:57

There’s a Hole

Something is there because nothing is. Music copyright 2024 © The 21st Century Monads Music and lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Kris McDaniel: vocals, baby sitar, bass guitar, bass melodion, phin, soprano saxophone, stellar flutes, 3-string ukulele Laura Callahan: vocals Cover art by Carrie Jenkins. Copyright 2025 © The 21st Century Monads

06-09
02:20

Mary

The story of Mary, a brilliant color scientist, and what happens to her when she escapes the black and white prison she grew up in. Music copyright 2024 © The 21st Century Monads Music and lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Kris McDaniel: vocals, baby sitar, bass guitar, clarinet, cornet, drums, Godin multioud, hand percussion, nova jhorn, keyboards, phin, psaltery, stellar flutes, trombone, stellar flutes, phin, soprano recorder Carrie Jenkins: vocals Cover art by Carrie Jenkins. Copyright 2025 © The 21st Century Monads

06-07
02:40

Nothing

Nothing comes from nothing but nothing. Music copyright 2024 © The 21st Century Monads Music and lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Kris McDaniel: vocals, bass guitar, box tanpura, nova dood, percussion sitar Laura Callahan: vocals Cover art by Carrie Jenkins. Copyright 2025 © The 21st Century Monads

06-07
01:02

One Time

It's hard to live in the moment when a moment lasts for only a moment. Music copyright 2024 © The 21st Century Monads Music and lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Kris McDaniel: vocals, baby sitar, bass melodion, clarinet, drums, hand percussion, nova dood, stellar flutes, soprano recorder, soprano sax, ukulele, ukulele bass. Carrie Jenkins: vocals Cover art by Carrie Jenkins. Copyright 2025 © The 21st Century Monads

06-07
02:57

Red_Yellow_Green

Musing about the metaphysics of color, and the affective significance of a particular theory of color. Music copyright 2024 © The 21st Century Monads Music and lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Kris McDaniel: vocals, classical guitar, stellar flutes Cover art by Carrie Jenkins. Copyright 2025 © The 21st Century Monads

06-07
00:54

The Desire

Why Can't I Be You? Music copyright 2024 © The 21st Century Monads Music and lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Kris McDaniel: vocals, baglama, baby sitar, bass guitar, cornet, drums, hand percussion, mellophone, nova dood, stellar flutes, nova dude, clarinet, hand percussion, soprano recorder Cover art by Carrie Jenkins. Copyright 2025 © The 21st Century Monads

06-07
03:28

The Dreamer’s Dream

Unreal, perchance to be dreamt? Music copyright 2024 © The 21st Century Monads Music and lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Kris McDaniel: vocals, bass clarinet, bass guitar, bass recorder, bass melodion, box tanpura, clarinet, drums, guzheng, hand percussion, nova dood, ukelele Laura Callahan: vocals Cover art by Carrie Jenkins. Copyright 2025 © The 21st Century Monads

06-07
02:44

The World Soul: Theme One

Opening instrumental theme music for the World Soul. Music copyright 2024 © The 21st Century Monads Music and lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Kris McDaniel: cello, clarinet Laura Callahan: fiddle Cover art by Carrie Jenkins. Copyright 2025 © The 21st Century Monads

06-07
00:44

The World Soul: Theme Two

Musical interlude/second theme of the World Soul. Music copyright 2024 © The 21st Century Monads Music and lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Kris McDaniel: bass clarinet, clarinet, nova dude, soprano saxophone Cover art by Carrie Jenkins. Copyright 2025 © The 21st Century Monads

06-07
00:46

I Don’t Live In the Now

When all times are as real as the present moment, it's hard to live in the now. Music copyright 2024 © The 21st Century Monads Music and lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Kris McDaniel: vocals, bass guitar, boomwhacker xylophone, drums, gopichand (soprano), hand percussion, soprano saxophone, trumpet Laura Callahan: vocals, fiddle Ben Bradley: cello Cover art by Carrie Jenkins. Copyright 2025 © The 21st Century Monads

06-07
04:40

If You Want to Find Me

Priorities. Music copyright 2024 © The 21st Century Monads Music and lyrics by Kris McDaniel. Kris McDaniel: vocals, bass guitar, drums, electric guitar, nova dood, keyboards, stellar flutes Laura Callahan: fiddle, vocals Ben Bradley: cello Cover art by Carrie Jenkins. Copyright 2025 © The 21st Century Monads

06-07
02:45

Time Calls Everyone Home

So long. Hope ya miss me. Lyrics written by Kris McDaniel Kris McDaniel: vocals, keyboards, hand percussion Carrie Jenkins: vocals Cover art by Carrie Jenkins A musing on finitude. Copyright 2022 © The 21st Century Monads

11-25
03:02

Did It Make You Feel Small?

Just a little ditty. A very little ditty. Lyrics written by Kris McDaniel Kris McDaniel: vocals, keyboards Cover art by Carrie Jenkins Some musings on perspective and the meaning of life. Copyright 2022 © The 21st Century Monads

11-14
01:42

Title TBA

It's coming. Soon. I promise. Lyrics written by Kris McDaniel Kris McDaniel: vocals, edrums, keyboards Carrie Jenkins: vocals, piano, keyboards Cover art by Carrie Jenkins Writing can be rewarding, but it can also be demoralising, torturous, and terrifying. Copyright 2022 © The 21st Century Monads

11-08
04:26

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