Steve Breman- bass, baritone guitar, 2-string slide bass.
Influences
Mark Sandman, Vincent Gallo, Josh Homme, David Hildalgo, Marianne Faithful, Nick Cave, Junior Kimbrough, Can, David Sylvian, Nina Simone...and all things unexplainable.
Vocalist/songwriter/bassist Monique Ortiz is known as the front woman of the Boston trio A.K.A.C.O.D. (a collaboration with Morphine saxophonist Dana Colley and Binary System drummer Larry Dersch).
After relocating to the Boston area in 1996 from her hometown of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Monique began playing numerous solo performances (just vocals and fretless bass) at art galleries, basement and loft parties, coffee houses and other small venues. In 1997 she formed Bourbon Princess, performing as a duo from 1996-1998. Her unconventional approach to the fretless bass, along with her androgynous contralto vocals and bleak lyrical content draw comparisons to Nick Cave, Nico, Jim Morrison, and Portishead to name a few. Having grown up listening to everything from Bauhaus and The Birthday Party, to Janice Joplin and Nina Simone, it makes perfect sense that Monique often refers to her sound as "...a sort of Gothic Blues", and you can expect nothing short of heavy, low, and soulful when you witness her live performance.
Over the past ten years Monique has written, arranged, and produced three full-length Bourbon Princess records, 1 solo Lp, Reclining Female, and has performed with a band (whose lineup includes original Morphine drummer Jerome Deupree, saxophonist and leader of Grammy-nominated jazz big band Either/Orchestra Russ Gershon and guitarist/pianist Jim Moran). She has recorded and performed as a backing vocalist for Orchestra Morphine, Twinemen, and The Collisions.
In 2004 and 2005 Monique was selected as a nominee for Best Female Vocalist in the Boston Phoenix Best Music Poll, and The Boston Music Awards. She performed in the prestigious Jeff Buckley Tribute show in Chicago, doing her own versions of "I Woke Up In A Strange Place", and "Moodswing Whiskey". Her songs have appeared in MTV's "Real World", and on various compilations, such as Respond 2 (along with Ani Defranco, and Aimee Man), and Project Bread's "Get In Here And Eat".
Monique has received much critical acclaim and has been featured in the magazines MIX, MAGNET, and GUITAR PLAYER among others. Her debut solo cd "Reclining Female" was described as "Thirty-four minutes of plaintive, contrary, concentrated genius" by The Boston Noise.
Currently Monique is performing with drummer R.L. Hulsman (formerly of Scissormen), and bassist Steve Breman and will be releasing an EP this fall, with a full-length record next year.
WHAT FANS AND CRITICS ARE SAYING....
"The perfect soundtrack to a late night of low lights and smoky ruminations."
-Jonathan Perry, Boston Globe
"...like a mix between the punk sensibilities of Television and the arty dreariness of Nick Cave, this is dreamy, nightmarish, sinister and oddly compelling."
-Ed Symkus, Townonline.com
"....unapologetic carnal urges, bleeding emotional wounds, and keeping your chin up. Minimalistic bohemian voodoo, baby."
-Lexi Khan , Boston Noise
“Her voice is some strange amalgam of Nico, Patti Smith and P.J.Harvey. Her post-punk delivery, fluctuating between detachment and inspiration, supports the gritty conversational street poetry evoking Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon at times.”
-Matt Harlan, Daily Texan
“Ortiz’s lyrics made me wish there were ten times as many people there to listen. They sounded like what Karate would sound like if the singer was a girl and Tom waits had fathered her.”
-Daniel Schaetz, University Star, San Marcos
"Her voice is intoxicating, mesmerizing and sexy all at the same time…quite a feat indeed."
-C.E.Pelc, FM Sound.net
“…It was definitely one of the best (shows) I have heard this year. Hearing the solo versions of ‘Jerkoff’ and ‘Porchswing’ was great and the new material from the forthcoming solo album was amazing.”
-David Stricoff, Cambridge, MA
“…one of the most beautiful voices to escape from Central PA.”
Shane (of the band King of The Cigar Box, York, PA)
"...torchy, sensual, and rawly emotive." -A Darker Shade Of Pagan
"...it is the commanding stage presence of Monique that just holds you in your seat. I have never heard anything like this!"
-Meagan Tubb, Austin, TX
BOOKING/PRESS:
All correspondence can be sent to vudu@moniqueortiz.com
SNAIL MAIL: Monique Ortiz P.O. Box 400544 Cambridge, MA 02140
I'd love to make a 2 string bass. I have plans now for a 4 string with only 17 frets.. but a 2 stringer with no frets is just more in the right direction. I heartily approve. thanks for the comment.. hope to catch you live here on the wrong coast sometime.
Hello!! Thanks for the add. I’m glad to see you in Myspace. I hope your success all the world. Have a wonderful weekend!! Support message from Tokyo. Puchi Bruce.
This is an honest request: That you forgive me for being a crappy music promoter in Chicago and just know that your powerful work has influenced a lot of really special people here in this town. I think you are amazing and I hope that you keep up the good work. Your expressive abilities are an inspiration to a lot of people.
thanks for adding me Monique! I am really glad my friend directed me to "hear" you - your music is awesome :); your voice is unique and beautiful. I am glad you liked mine too - means so much coming from such a talented woman!
Just wanted to tell you again how impressive you were at the Sandman Memorial concert. I was the tall sorta blondish woman just off the stage after the show who thanked you.
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