Moni Grace is a 23 year old singer-songwriter based out of Boston MA. Through her raw, unique adaptation of alternative-pop, she is able to approach artistry in a conceptual and abstract way.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Moni about the latest music and challenges, she opens up about her childhood trauma, and much more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
I am a 24 y/o Boston based emo/alt pop musician. I create music because it’s the one catharsis and form of expressionism that doesn’t make me self destruct. It’s healing for me, and I just want to do that for other people now.
2. What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?
Lots of trauma. When I was 11 I went through, in addition to childhood trauma (intermediate family suffered from addiction / caused direct abuse), severe bullying and suicidal ideation / and an ED. I think children, often times find or pick up hobby’s or activities as a method of escapism whether it’s a subconscious or conscious decision, those escapisms are essential. When I was younger, I learned piano and wrote musicals/ stories and songs— basically any sort of creation I was attracted to. My mom and dad were both English / history teachers, so I really believe that this type of escapism in terms of writing is where I got that from. When I was 12 or so, my sister Maggie gifted me her guitar. She’s also a very gifted indie musician. She saw I was using a broken one my family had from our childhood, and let me use her Yamaha. I used this til like last year. I was actually homeschooled til grade 7– and that’s when the bullying started and I realized I was different. While biracial-black, I was also someone who struggled greatly with mental health. I have anxiety, ptsd, depression, social/anxiety and adhd/bipolar2. When I got to college, i was only there for a couple months but during that time I was drinking heavily and had no friends, and was bullied severely again. I actually attempted suicide after I was sexually assaulted on campus. Fast forward to later that year, I meet my ex boyfriend of four years at my place of employment. It was a severely codependent, toxic, abusive (mental/physical) and honestly I wasn’t writing much during that time musically, however, I wrote a lot of poetry and I think that’s how I survived it. It ended when I found out he had been cheating on me for months while we were living together, and I really thought my life was over. That’s what kickstarted my professional music career in 2019. The heartbreak. You can tell the same story in different ways a thousand different times. I always have said that because I’ve been through a lot of trauma, I will never run out of things to write about. I now create music to help myself, but with an end goal of helping others process trauma and speak out until their voice is heard. Unfortunately I have survived multiple instances of sexual violence, and I want to use my voice as a tool to carve my way into this industry to make other women / people feel heard.
How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?
This EP is the best piece of work I’ve ever put out. My best friend Jake White (also my drummer) produced, in true DIY nature, this incredibly intimate project. We took the time to master and mix each song, instead of rushing to get the project out. Rachel Moon, my guitarist since day 1, did guitar and bass for each track. I think too, it was because all of us actually wanted to do the project, not just for a paycheck but for the actual art itself. Finding people who care about your music to the extent that Jake and Rachel do, is rare for me. I think I was trying to accomplish showing the world / specifically my audience that it’s only going up from here, in terms of quality and passion.
Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this oversaturated, digital music age?
I honestly feel as though my gender plays a huge role in how people treat me. That, and my race. I was on a podcast a few weeks ago and the one thing I said to Jake after was, I don’t care how weird that podcast we just did was— the fact that they didn’t sexualize my entire existence makes ok. And I think that really speaks for itself. The bar is set so low, for men in this industry, that the bare minimum of respect is deemed as a crazy, unheard of idealistic standard. I’ve really learned to walk away from toxic work places, because of the way I’ve been treated— which I think is powerful.
How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?
Technology has helped me in many ways! It’s so much more accessible, and creates unlimited ways for people to connect with your music.
What was the last song you listened to?
In my room – Frank ocean
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
CDs bring me back, but I don’t use them as often as I’d like to.
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
Bandcamp 100% is the best platform. I have so much respect for the company / service because they really try to pay what the artist deserves to be paid from streams. It’s a direct way to support artists.
Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?
website: www.monigrace.com is where you can sign up for my email list.
or check out my link tree: https://linktr.ee/Monigrace
Anything else before we sign off?
I’m doing a session with leevestall studios in Brooklyn this fall, so if you want to pre order a custom vinyl from the day which I will create for you, check it out here!! https://leestavall.com/products/monigrace
Thank you!
