Growing up on the Canadian prairies, this singer/songwriter had just one ambition; “I’ve always wanted to be a musician and to be on stage. Ever since I went to my first concert – I knew that’s what I wanted to do!” When she eventually began writing music, it was as an emotional response to the loss of a family member. Realizing that it might be time to pursue her dream, she took a giant leap into the music industry and turned to Winnipeg producer Olaf Pyttlik to begin work on a recording that would become her first CD, ‘The Expectation of Home’.
Since her first independent recording, Monica has shared the stage with artists such as Jane Siberry, Ron Sexsmith and Kathleen Edwards, and has played at SXSW, Canadian Music Week and clubs across the country. She has also been featured nationally in magazines like Billboard & Maclean’s and been played on radio stations across North America, including the CBC, XM satellite radio and on the National Public Radio show “All Things Considered”.
She released 2 CDs independently before teaming with U.S. independent label A Different Drum to release the re-mix album ‘Move Me’, in 2005. The success of this led to a second release with A Different Drum and in 2006, she traveled to New Mexico to record with producer Joey Belville (The Echoing Green), the result of which is her new original album ‘So Far’.
Moving from dynamic, full-bodied pop songs to simple piano/voice numbers, Monica’s recordings seek to blend acoustic elements with an electronic edge, while maintaining those qualities that draw people to her music – a beautiful voice and the ability to communicate on an emotional level with her audience through her songs. Lyrically, Monica writes honest explorations of comfort and hope, while trying to convey the difficulty in always believing that these things can be found.
Photos by Judy-Ann Cazemier
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Highlights
- Monica’s newest CD ‘So Far’ was nominated at the 2007 Western Canadian Music Awards for ‘Outstanding Pop Recording’.
- In September, 2006, Monica’s CD ‘So Far’ had its debut at the A Different Drum Festival in Salt Lake City. Monica performed along with other bands from the indie-electronic label and successfully launched her new CD. The album is available online and at select retailers. Please see www.adifferentdrum.com for details.
- Her song “Peace” was included in the 2006 DVD release of the T.V. show, ‘Dawson’s Creek – Season 6 and on ‘Joan of Arcadia’ – Season 2. Several of her songs have also been licensed for television, including NBC, HBO, Lifetime & APTN. Her songs have also appeared on the DVD releases of the TV shows “Party of 5”, “Joan of Arcadia” & “Dawson’s Creek- Season 5”.
- She has also contributed lyrics and vocals to a song by the electronic project Pristina (“Love”), for the CD “Stars and Sirens”, released by A Different Drum in the fall of 2006. She is currently working on similar collaborations with various international DJs – Jarkko (Finland) & Benny Maze (New York).
- In the fall of 2005, A Different Drum released a full-length remix album ‘Move Me’, with songs taken from each of Monica’s first 2 CDs, and the song ‘Poison’ hit #1 on the Amazon.com Trance and Dance charts! In May of 2006, Monica celebrated the release of the re-mix CD with a concert at the Rivoli (Toronto) that included special guests DJ Fezzik, hip-hop artist ill Seer and singer/songwriter Ben Sures.
- In February of 2004, indie label Universal Records licensed “The Expectation of Home” for release in the Philippines.
- Monica contributed vocals and lyrics to the song “Invisible Beauty” for Vancouver electronic Artist DJ K-Rec. The song appeared on his debut album, which was released by Nettwerk Productions in January of 2003.
- Her debut album ‘The Expectation of Home’, was nominated for Pop Recording of the Year at the 2001 Canadian Independent Music Awards. It also gathered 3 nominations at the 2000 Prairie Music Awards, including: Outstanding Pop Recording, Producer of the Year and Outstanding Graphic Design. Her 2nd CD, “Orbit”, followed in 2003.
“Featuring one of the most spellbinding voices to grace Canadian music … her acclaimed, independently released debut, ‘The Expectation of Home’, is a true gem. This Manitoba singer/songwriter is Canada’s finest undiscovered artist.”
– Billboard Magazine
“Monica has a beautiful voice - emotive, fluid and clear. This Manitoba-based pop musician could make the white pages sound like Yeats.”
– Now Magazine
“Monica’s amazing … She first sang longing and Margo and I just looked at each other. We both realized she’s real. I’m excited when you hear somebody outstanding like that.”
– Michael Timmons (Cowboy Junkies)
“This could be a three word review, which would be: What a voice. Monica Schroeder’s got one of those warm, rich voices that make you stop doing whatever you’re doing and pay attention to the physical act of the voice wrapping around your ears. It’s all there – vibe, song and voice. But especially voice.”
–IndieCrit.com