"Other people told me what I was. (a singer/songwriter)

I just had to learn how to believe it.  Then live it." 

        Singer/songwriter Monika (mo-knee-ka) Bourgeois is a Northwest native of Creole Descent. After emerging from an unconventional background that reads like a "Best-Seller", Monika is forging ahead, focusing on her blossoming career in the Music Industry and taking every step in stride.

Her sophomore offering "From the Mind of a Christian Girl", is a private flip through her personal journal. Undoubtedly, Monikas' wordsmithing shines light on areas of life that many faith-based artist seem to miss. 

In her opening cut (and #1 single) "Addicted", she pens a story about a 3 am writing session she didn't know she was in invited too: /I wasn't even fully awake/but my spirit had already got a good headstart/..Before I knew it I was on the floor/palms down/ laying prostrate on my face/and my voice was steady serenading/'.

           "I think 'Addicted' is about music, faith & writing! Ha Ha! Seriously, my songs just kind of write themselves and I just kind of figure them out later. I'll sit back and read it and say 'Oh, that was a great line!'" 

           The beautiful sequence of "Overwhelmed" could actually leave you with goosebumps & tears, as Monika sets you up with a pure acappella vocal.  "Before I take a song to production, I usually lay what we call a "Scratch vocal". Well the scratch vocal for Overwhelmed was so good, its actually being sold as a ringtone! Who knew?" 

   In "Sweetest Evidence", she pens an ode to her daughter, and then puts it toward the beginning of the album, rather than toward the end, like most dedications. When asked why, she simply responded 'Why Not?' From the Color filled "Perfect" to her the deeper ride "Subject to Change" she rounds it out with a cut that she dedicated to CeCe Winans called "Woman of God".     

"Woman of God started out as a test single, and the response that came from it was truly awesome. Denise Matthews ( formerly known as Vanity) actually sent me a letter about Woman of God. She said she couldn't stop singing it, it 'captivated her.' I 'm still like "Whoa'? Your talking about my song?" 

     But don't let a name drop full you. Monika is no stranger to the music world. Her voice has been layered behind the scenes in a five year running jingle  (that she wrote!) for Chevrolet, and has been featured in numerous albums for background, and overlaying vocals. Most recently she was called on to simply do a 'Preacher Moan'. "That was pretty cool, I didn't do any other vocals on that project. Just humming towards the end." 

            She seems very comfortable in her own skin now, not at all like the young lady who only two years ago had trouble calling herself an 'Artist'. Even now, after battling with a Heart condition thats brought her to a size zero, Monika seems more determined than ever to become a "Here to stay" artist. 

       "You know, I am learning everyday to be greatful for every gift I've been blessed with. The Bible says "Cast not away your confidence," yet I threw mine down the drain a few years ago because situations led me to believe that something was wrong with being "Monika". The awards and opportunities that had come my way were great blessings: It was a wild ride. People would say, "Oh' you can't do this or that", and I just had the hardest time believing it. I just believed that anything was possible. And at the risk of sounding like a *church girl* it was truly God that brought me back to life." 

      "Even though the past two years have seemed like one thing after the other, my focus hasn't changed. I still send out my songwriter resume', catalog, attend seminars, schedule meetings, do Bgvs', write for "Ya Heard Magazine" etc. Thats' the Business, and I'm still treating it like work, in sickness and in health! And I think thats some God stuff!" 

www.myspace.com/SingNika