Exclusive Interview: The Monroes Talk “Better Half of Me”, Musical Inspirations, and More

The Monroes (comprised of Molly Kate Kestner and Brock Monroe) is a newly-formed husband and wife duo who has taken the music industry by storm. While each has experienced success as solo artists, from performing on Good Morning America to sharing the stage with greats like Jason Mraz and Lady Gaga, they’ve married their talents to create a signature sound that has music lovers yearning for more.

Thankfully, they’ve just dropped their latest single “Better Half of Me” feat. Walker Reinhardt!

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with Molly Kate and Brock about coming together to create the Monroes, their latest single “Better Half of Me”, and more.

PC: How did you each discover your passion for music?
Molly Kate: I was born into a big family who loved music. My parents both loved to sing, my older siblings played instruments, and I happily followed suit. But I would say I really developed a passion for it in high school. Whether it was singing on the worship team at church, getting a solo in choir, or writing songs while I was cleaning my dad’s shop, that’s when I started to find my voice. It’s when I began dreaming about what a future as an artist could look like.

Brock: I come from a small family who have always just been big fans of music. My family were pastors in the Bible Belt Midwest and in Arizona, so I couldn’t help but be influenced by the depth of worship music, hymns, and soul. I started performing to thousands at the age of five. Although my great-grandmother would’ve liked me to follow in her footsteps as a concert cellist from Juilliard—I can appreciate Beethoven (“Egmont,” Op.84 is my favorite)—my passions had much more to do with the sounds of old time rock ‘n roll. I started with vocals at five and piano at eight, but once I got my hands on a guitar at fourteen, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I wanted to move people through music. I had vision and purpose, and that hasn’t changed.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your careers?
Molly Kate: You know, believe it or not…I think Brock has had the biggest influence on my career. I was so young when I got signed and moved out to LA. He really saved me in a lot of ways. He pushed me to make difficult moves, inspired me to think bigger, encouraged me when I wanted to give up, and he continues to do that every day.

Brock: My dad is probably my biggest musical influence, but both of my parents played an important role. He’s always been passionate about the bands and artists of the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, and some of the ’00s, while my mom likes anything contemporary with a strong beat. My dad was always showing me music, and mom always had pop music on. So the old and new mixed with soul and spiritual music is what has influenced me to make what Molly Kate and I call “Modern Nostalgia”.

PC: You both found a lot of success as solo artists. What did you learn from those experiences that you’ve been able to apply to the Monroes?
Molly Kate: A big lesson I had to learn the hard way from my own journey as an artist is that no one is going to fight harder for your dreams than you are. In the past, I put too much faith in my “team” and not enough in myself. This time, we are both putting everything we’ve got into this project.

Brock: One of the most valuable lessons I learned growing up was to “rejoice with those who rejoice.” It’s been so valuable for me as an artist and now as part of a duo because it keeps me from comparison. I’ve had the pleasure of working with some of the world’s most successful artists at the height of their careers and before they were even famous. I am a fan of good people. So when those stars were not stars yet, I was rooting for them, and now that they’re at the top, I’m rooting for them to stay there and to keep their character in the process. Now, I know Molly Kate is such a good vocalist, and while that can be daunting to have to try and match her, I am so grateful to get to share music with her. I am rooting for her to win as a solo artist, as a duo artist, as a wife, and as a person. She is winning at life, and I really am overjoyed to watch such a humble person do so well.

PC: Tell us about “Better Half of Me” and the inspiration behind the single.
The Monroes: Being songwriters ourselves, we never planned to take any outside songs for the Monroes. But when our friend Johnny Hanson (a.k.a. Walker Reinhardt) played us “Better Half of Me” before he even knew we were forming a band and asked us if we would ever want to sing it together, we had to say yes. We love this song so much and resonate with it so deeply. We are two best friends who fell in love and truly mean every word we sing.

PC: Not only are the two of you a group, you’re also partners in life. Have you learned anything new about the other since forming the Monroes?
Molly Kate: I’ve learned that creating things together is more difficult and also more rewarding. It’s a give and take constantly. Like a dance. Sometimes we step on each other’s toes if we aren’t communicating well, but when we get into a rhythm, magic happens.

Brock: I’ve learned to put the music down. I am a workaholic. I love working. I could work from sunup to sundown. But Molly Kate is not wired that way. I know that sometimes you gotta wind down, get out of the studio, get out of the house, go for a walk, get some food, watch a movie, or go for a date. Shutting down helps us reset. Our relationship matters more than the work. That’s the secret to the Monroes.

PC: As we look ahead to the rest of 2022, what can fans expect from you?
The Monroes: A lot more. We are working on more songs that we absolutely love, videos to go with them, and even some Monroes merch. We’re also looking forward to playing these songs on a live stage.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Molly Kate: I don’t know if this is surprising, but I’ve been jamming out to Jon Batiste since before he won Album of the Year.

Brock: Lady Gaga. I worked with her and had to download/learn all of her songs. But now when it comes on in the car, I can’t say that I skip it. I don’t want a bad romance.

PC: First album you bought?
Molly Kate: Oh boy, it was probably Justin Bieber’s Christmas album. It’s still great honestly. [laughs]

Brock: DC Talk’s Free at Last.

PC: First concert you attended?
Molly Kate: Aly & AJ.

Brock: DC Talk.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Molly Kate: By the Way, I Forgive You—Brandi Carlile. I’ve been a big Brandi Carlile fan for years, but this record specifically met me in one of the lowest places and spoke to my soul.

Brock: Viva la Vida—Coldplay. I could’ve said Last Waltz by the Band or Joshua Tree by U2, but Viva la Vida showed me how powerful music and visual art can be together. The vision was clear and executed so well from the record to the live show experience. It’s one of my favorite music campaigns yet.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Molly Kate: Hollywood Bowl.

Brock: Red Rocks or Central Park or Wimbley or all of them.

PC: A must-have on the road?
Molly Kate: My pillow and Sour Patch Watermelons.

Brock: Dill Pickle Spitz sunflower seeds and my headphones.

Make sure to follow the Monroes on Instagram. Pick up or stream “Better Half of Me” today.