Monica Joy - ProfilesArchive

About Me

I'm honoured that you've come, that you'd take the time to read about my story as you give a listen...Like many others, I picked up a guitar during my teen years and learned just enough chords to begin pouring my inner world into songs. These days I write and perform mostly at the piano (what I was trained on), but I also pick up a djembe any chance I get. I'm thinking the dulcimer might be a fun next instrument. Anyone got one that's collecting dust?In truth, most of my music remained behind closed doors until a few years ago when some friends in the music business gave me a kick in the pants (along with a good dose of encouragement). Invaluable.Recording "If Everything is Lost" (2005) began a new chapter for me. Writing music had always been an outlet for me personally -- a way of journaling and worshipping and coping -- and now I feel really honoured that this music that has been a gift in my life is being so well received by others. It seems those who find my music most meaningful are often in a difficult season of life. So I increasingly find myself writing "sustaining music" (a term I borrowed from Steve Bell) for friends whose stories move me. Some I have met, others have faces I've yet to know.After writing songs for the milestone events of friends for about fifteen years, I'll soon be launching a songwriting service for folks who would love a custom song written for a special event in their lives. More on that to come...Thanks for joining me on part of the journey. Travel well.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 06/04/2006
Band Website: monicajoy.com
Band Members: Me, me... and (oh so sad) me.Plus a number of musician friends who are willing to drive to other cities to play for peanuts and good times.
Influences: Words and conversations that move me... which tend to be inspired by a friend's story, a thoughtful book, a great conversation, scripture, poetry or even an old hymn. More recent inspirations include the value of family, community, justice, humanity and hope.
Sounds Like: Who wants to sound like someone else?But then again, I don't get offended when told my music reminds them of Sarah McLachlan or Sara Groves...
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

Noted! compilation of Huron County women

noted! I'm feeling very encouraged and even spoiled these days by the women of the NOTED! project. Let me explain...The backstory is that about four years ago, a Huron County woman named Kimberly P...
Posted by on Tue, 22 Jan 2008 10:16:00 GMT

Sea to Sea: The Voice of Creation

If you're looking for a great compilation of all-Canadian Praise and Worship Songs, check out the latest Sea to Sea (The Voice of Creation). You may even recognize the first voice on the first t...
Posted by on Fri, 21 Dec 2007 07:26:00 GMT

Two new recordings

In case any of you fine folks are interested in an update, there will be two new recordings coming out next year...In May we'll be releasing a compilation of local women who are being featured on a CD...
Posted by on Tue, 27 Nov 2007 11:40:00 GMT

Worldview - ending child poverty

July 2007 -- Monica's song "Lend Me Your Hope" is now being featured among international artists uniting to end child poverty. July 2007 marks the launch of the new Worldview website, feat...
Posted by on Sat, 28 Jul 2007 14:02:00 GMT

Shai Award nomination for "Folk Album of the Year"

Happy New Year! You might be interested to know that my album "If Everything is Lost" has been nominated for Folk Album of the Year at the Shai Awards, the "people's choice" awards f...
Posted by on Sat, 06 Jan 2007 18:33:00 GMT

Lend Me Your Hope

Know someone who could use a little hope these days? Consider sharing this site with some hopeful words of your own. www.lendmeyourhope.com I am indebted to Lianna Marie for this moving sli...
Posted by on Tue, 23 May 2006 11:56:00 GMT

Dreams of Justice

Warning: This blog is a bit of a heavy and will require energy from your heart and mind. If you're not ready for this, come back another time... I'm becoming increasingly disturbed by...
Posted by on Wed, 17 May 2006 17:58:00 GMT