Monique Ortiz

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 embark on a national tour with the band in February 2008, in support of their debut release Happiness .
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