Monica Schroeder
Biography
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 A Different Drum to release a re-mix album in 2005, “Move Me”. This led to a second partnership with A Different Drum and this past April, she traveled to New Mexico to record with Joey Belville of ‘The Echoing Green’, the result of which is the new album “So Far”.
Moving from dynamic, full-bodied pop songs to simple piano/voice numbers, Monica’s recordings seek to blend her acoustic performance style 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 believing that these things can be found.
Highlights…
*In Sept., 2006, Monica’s new CD “So Far” had its debut at the A Different Drum festival – the album is available online and at select retailers. Please see for details.
*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! This past spring, Monica celebrated the release of the re-mix CD with a concert at the Rivoli (Toronto) that included special guests DJ Fezzik, ill Seer and Ben Sures. She also performed at the ‘A Different Drum’ electronic music festival in Salt Lake City in September 2006.
*She has also contributed lyrics and vocals to a song by the electronic project Pristina (“Love”), for the CD “Songs and Sirens”, to be released by A Different Drum in the fall of 2006.
*Her song “Peace” will be included in the upcoming 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”.
*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: OutstandingPop Recording, Producer of the Year and Outstanding Graphic Design. Her 2nd CD, “Orbit”, followed in 2003.
Discography…
‘So Far’ – 2006, A Different Drum
‘Move Me’ (re-mix CD) – 2005, A Different Drum
‘Poison’ (3” single) – 2005, A Different Drum
‘Orbit’ – 2003, Night Sky Music
‘The Expectation of Home’ – 1999, Night Sky Music
A Different Drum ___ Smithfield, UT______
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Press
The Expectation of Home…
“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."
-- Larry LeBlanc, 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)
“Monica has found a place in the shadows, has made it her home and invites the listener to join her there for a time and when you're lead by this lady's voice, you welcome the trip."
– Yorkton This Week
Orbit…
“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. I can't think of anyone who enjoys contemporary Lilith rock who won't be completely and totally satisfied with Orbit. It's all there – vibe, song and voice. But especially voice”
--IndieCrit.com
“Monica Schroeder's ‘Orbit’ is one of the best CDs I have had the pleasure to hear in a long time. Monica moves with grace and ease from a slow, sad ballad to a cheerful song in the likeness of a spiritual. She sings songs of love, loss, sorrow and joy with the same understanding of the emotion. She is lacking in nothing!”
-bestfemalemusicians.com
“She may be an unfamiliar sort, all right – The name Monica Schroeder may seem unheard of to you right now, but pretty soon you’ll see, or hear rather, and it won’t be.”
-Press Magazine
“Schroeder's ability to effortlessly liaison between indelible pop songs to fragile acoustic numbers help poise her as one of the most important female voices on the prairies. Her equally whimsical and down-to-earth compositions capture a moment vividly.”
--Uptown Magazine
“With a soaring voice atop smooth rock sounds, Schroeder shines throughout this vibrant collection of love songs. She tells honest tales of relationships gone sour and true love experiences. Orbit is a nice listen, and Schroeder shows the potential to become more successful because her sound is relatable and professional, while her songwriting stays true to heart.”
-discoveringartists.com
“Orbit, her sophomore CD, once again collects Schroeder's unique temperament for acoustic pop with an electronic edge, and showcases her delicate but gutsy vocal range that is equal parts fleeting and enforcing.”
--mywinnipeg.com
Move Me…
“Move Me” is a must have for anyone who likes semi-synthpoppy electro with beautiful vocals! At times, Monica’s vocals are remincient of Sarah McLachlan, yet she still has her own sound and style. “Move Me” is very mainstream, and it wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if I heard any of these songs on popular radio. It is a stunning album with great lyrics, cool beats, and wonderful vocal performances".
-Virus (online magazine)
“Thanks to A.D.D. we get the opportunity to discover one of the most hidden secrets of the Canadian synth-pop scene: Monica Schroeder! The concept of this album is quite interesting. 10 songs of 2 previous albums have been remixed and produced by DJ Ram (Virtual Server) and Nevarakka. So it becomes a kind of Canadian-Russian-Swedish collaboration. I get totally wild for the most danceable and trance pieces like “Without you” and “Poison”, starting the album in a heavenly way. We have here a marvelous cocktail of synth-pop, trance and house elements with the vocals of Monica on top!”
-Side-Line Magazine
A Different Drum ___ Smithfield, UT______
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