Vocalist/songwriter/bassist Monique Ortiz (born November 23, 1972) 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 for the first couple years. 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.
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 extensively with A.K.A.C.O.D. and will be touring the U.S. and Europe in spring and summer of 2008, in support of their debut release Happiness.
IN HER OWN WORDS...
Aside from music, I am also a visual artist (a graduate of Pennsylvania College Of Art) and work as an artists' model. But I often say "I went to art school to realize that I'd rather be a musician".
I worked for many years as a veterinary technician in various animal shelters and clinics. I've always been involved in animal welfare in one way or another, but wouldn't say I'm radical about it. Having to perform euthanasia hundreds of times wore me out emotionally, forcing me to step away from that kind of work.
Things I do to stay healthy and happy...
hot yoga, boxing, rock climbing, running, cycling.
Other....
I'm a foodie. "Life's too short to drink bad wine."...and too short to eat bad food.
Sun sign: Sagittarius (on the cusp of Scorpio)
Moon sign: Cancer
Guilty Pleasures....
Any show with Gordon Ramsey, DWELL Magazine, Coffeé ice cream with rum raisin flambé, fried chicken.
I would like to thank you for something kind of strange, but about a month ago I was debating about whether or not I should buy a collection of films by Alejandro Jodorowsky, and I couldn't make up my mind. I had seen El topo many years ago, and really liked it, but I was still debating. Anyways, I was wasting some time about that same time and I looked on your page where it said that some of your favorite films were The HOly Mountain and El Topo... and I said to myself "shit, if Monique approves, I should just go for it." anyways, I bought the collection and it's awesome. thanks for being the nail in the coffin.
Thanks so much for the add, Monique! From seeing you in performance at Ruta Maya's in Austin for SXSW, you are the queen of rock! No other woman comes close to your stage presence. It's time for you to take your throne. Looking forward to the solo stuff. Sure hope you make it South--Houston, back to Austin or even New Orleans!
I was at home last night and a wonderful memory of our "younger years" came to mind.....it was either in your room or on the way to Big City... Thomas Dolby, The Flat Earth...you singing "Screen Kiss" I miss those days almost as much as I have missed you.
thank you for your music;your voice and to continue to sing some songs which remember me mark...a little french from perpignan who doesnt write very well
I'm SUPER STOKED that you're working on another solo project!! I was out having a couple beers w/a friend tonite & was raving about you!! Well, about A.K.A., BUT ALSO YOU, specifically. I think he'd totally dig your style...working on making him a MO mix :)
the music is awesome, it reminds me of Morphine, PJ Harvey, or even like a minimalist kind of Nico, when she was with the Velvet Underground you have your own sound though, that's awesome
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