Karun Mungai is a musician, producer, mother and a band member of both the Cosmic Homies and Camp Mulla. This month she took a moment to talk to Kahawa Diaries about motherhood and keeping the creative fire alive.
Was coffee something you drunk growing up? Who got you into it?
My dad actually got me into it when I was in prep school at a school fair. I got tired after riding a mechanical bull, and he let me try his (Not sure what it was but it had cinnamon in it!). It was great, and I’m pretty sure I got a buzz from it.
How do you take your coffee?
Black
How do you fuel your creativity?
By always trying something different, something new and pulling inspiration from artists in other fields. I like to people watch and spend days/weeks in someone else’s workflow. If I feel like i’m in a rut, I watch and learn from them, especially really hard working artists. Then eventually what I’ve learned will become a natural part of me.
What keeps you up late at night?
In a good way, recording, or catching up with friends. In a “bad” way, plotting how to take over the world. There are so many things I want to accomplish in life that sometimes I feel like I won’t be ok if i don’t get the ball rolling before I’m 30.
What were your biggest cravings when you were pregnant?
Honey walnut shrimp when I was in the States (early pregnancy) and here in Nairobi it was just chocolate cake and lots of fruit, particularly kiwi fruit!
How has motherhood changed your morning routine?
My son Prince wakes up around 6:30am (cutest alarm clock in the world), we then proceed to get the mundane morning routines out of the way (bath time, breakfast, etc) and we both go back for a good nap about 2 hrs later.
How would you describe your relationship to coffee?
Unfortunately for me, motherhood has made it an on again off again type relationship.
Where do you see yourself in ten years time?
Living on the outskirts of Nairobi, somewhere in a sustainable, eco-friendly, oddly shaped house in nature, traveling six months out of the year for art/experiences and having a killer all female-run record label.
