NYC-based electronic folk-pop singer-songwriter Monica Rodriguez – Ginestre has come a long way from her native Puerto Rico. Having moved to Texas as a teen, Monica came to study and perform music at top schools in Boston and New York. After graduating from the Berklee College of Music and New York University on scholarships, she was the frontwoman for a number of successful bands before going solo. As the creator, lead singer and principal songwriter of the explosive NYC electro-rock band, Zigmat, Monica was praised for her vocal agility by Billboard, who called her “the band’s secret weapon.” With Monica at the helm, Zigmat landed the band licensing deals, including a national commercial starring Gisele Bundchen, and toured much of Europe, garnering features on national Spanish radio as well as in Vanity Fair and Blender. Following Zigmat, Monica later joined the band, Pacha Massive, on Nacional Records who toured frequently, sharing the stage with artists like Morcheeba, Taio Cruz, Ozomatli, Café Tacvba, Los Amigos Invisibles among many others.
In 2011, Monica went on her solo path, under the moniker Monica Lionheart. She released her successful debut Spanish/English album, Indian Summer, on the Latin Alternative label, Nacional Records in 2012. PopMatters calls Indian Summer, “a compelling debut, one worthy of revisiting time and again.” She later released her second solo album, Missed Connections, in early 2016, which was produced by Dan Molad (of Lucius), Ryan Alfred (of Calexico) and Steve Wall (Mother Feather). Paste Magazine says, ” (Monica) brings a freshness to the electro-pop genre with her distinctive vocals that are both haunting and enchanting.” Time Out NY raves, “Monica Lionheart layers her frosty voice over wafty electropop in a manner that suggests dry ice—and lots of it—plus St. Vincent, and early Cure records interpreted by a tropicalia singer…gorgeous.”
Monica continues to receive accolades for her music. Music videos for tracks from the Indian Summer album went into MTV and VH1’s rotations and received features in Latina Magazine, Remezcla and Billboard Magazine. One of Indian Summer ’s two Spanish tracks, “Relampago” was used in an episode of the HBO Latino series, Capadocia.
Today, Monica continues to tour the US in support of her latest album, Missed Connections. She recently performed in Shanghai and is living in Asia, as she is working on a new album called Bodega Beat. Check back here for news and show updates!
Paste Magazine says, “(Monica) brings a freshness to the electro-pop genre with her distinctive vocals that are both haunting and enchanting.”
“Get familiar with the singer with the gorgeous locks and vivid storytelling.”
Latina Magazine
“Escape Strategy”, totally lives up to its name; it will transport you to a bright summertime place with bewitching keyboard lines and seductively synthesized vocals. She stands in cool contrast to the warmth exuded by Brooklyn’s landscapes.”
Remezcla Magazine
“Singer-songwriter Monica Lionheart layers her frosty voice over wafts of electronica and strings in a manner that suggests dry ice—and lots of it—plus Sigur Rós, and early Cure records interpreted by a tropicalia singer. It’s gorgeous stuff, in other words.”
Time Out Magazine
“Strings, slight vocal effects, and piano chords wrap Indian Summer into a mesmerizing album that seduces the ear into a deep and soothing nostalgia.”
Al Borde
“Indian Summer is a compelling debut, one worthy of revisiting time and again”
Pop Matters