Monica Lee

Music:

Member Since: 5/27/2006
Band Website: monicaleemusic.com
Band Members: Monica Lee on piano, electric viola, voice, acoustic guitar, Jesse Waldman on electric guitar and effects with Marc L’Espérance on drums and harmony vocals.
Influences: Carole King, Veda Hille, Joni Mitchell, Tracy Chapman, Tom Petty, Leonard Cohen, Big Star, Husker Dü, Big Country, Neil Young, Leonard Skinnard, Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Cole Porter, Eben Abbez, Claude Debussey, Tori Amos, Nina Simone, Tool...
Sounds Like:

"One evening a few months ago i was heading home on Commercial Drive when out of the blue i was stopped dead, struck dumb and shaken out of my reverie by the driving sounds of a piano, drums and guitar based wank-fest that was literally spilling out on to the pavement in front of The Libra Room. But this wasn’t just any ol’ jam, this was the sound of life! This was the sound of new landscapes being explored and musicians finding that special place where birth happens. It was if time had quit, just in that little square of space in front of the venue. As i stood there letting the cool wave of music wash over me i heard a voice lifting above that wall of sound, a familiar voice that grabbed me by the shirt collar and brought me closer to the window. And who should i see weaving her magic with a crack-tight band but East Van’s very own, Monica Lee, a local song-bird who has a decade of performance in the city to her credit, a couple of CD’s and a trail of good friends following in her wake. She’ll tickle your inner hippie while greasing up your blues cat. She’s Monica Lee."

- Introduction from 4thercrd 4 Interview by Nathan Peekay - 7:23pm Wednesday, Mar 5, 2008

"I listened to your disc with my morning coffee. Its very cool and really refreshing. Your phrasing is great and I love the tunes, lots of space but full of wonderful moments in each song. Hope you don’t mind comparisons but lyrically you share some of Joni Mitchell’s talent for imagery and poetry. I really like what I hear.

- John Mann - Sprit of the West“Monica Lee is a fine musician and and excellent vocalist. Catchy melodies are everywhere in her music. But where she truly shines is in her lyrics. I’ve herd a lot of songs over the years, and I find words worth hearing to be quite rare. I hope you all like her songs as much as I do.”