Here is one of our many members who have brought life to our community. We are grateful to see the process and progress our members share with us, and we are honored to give them the spotlight! Their story is our story. Read on to be inspired by our latest Member Highlight interview…
Meet SonyaMonica
SonyaMonica is from Victoria, BC, Canada
What do you do during the day?
I work part-time, we are active grandparents, love to travel and have fun with our family and friends. I also love playing with my band or In a fun jam.
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Is there anything surprising about your musical taste?
I find it surprising how many country songs I like. However, jazz and country combined into country swing in the 1920s so that might be the key.
What does your songwriting habit look like?
I started songwriting just over a year ago so am trying to figure that out. I’m learning so much now I feel I haven’t gotten into the long term rhythm yet. However, when writing I plug away at it bit by bit, every day, and try not to leave a good song for too long.
Who are your influences? How have they shaped you?
I keep hearing the word ‘authentic’ in regards to writing music. For me, iconic artists such as Glen Campbell, Linda Ronstadt, Stevie Wonder, Ella Fitzgerald (and many more) were driven to create, evolve, share their music yet mostly stayed authentic. You can hear it in artist’s works when they are trying something new and it doesn’t quite fit-I find that inspiring as well. I’m a huge fan of Antonio Carlos Jobim, his story and how his incredible body of music influenced the world.
What challenge are you facing with songwriting?
The middle part of the story. Learning more possible song structures. Learning more about music so I can push the boundaries I currently have musically.
Tell us an early memory about a song that woke something up inside you.
As a kid, Saturday mornings the house was blasting with Herb Alpert or other contemporary and jazz music, probably aimed to wake us kids up. In my pre-teens I had ‘Guess Who’ and ‘Beach Boys’ albums I played endlessly. I had an obsession early on to listen.
What Day of 100 is your piece from?
Started a couple of days ago and will continue to work on.
Lyrics:
We are strangers, yet we’re not
Cut from the same cloth
You and me.
Show Yourself to Me
Listen here: