Singer/songwriter Monique Rhodes was born in New Zealand. She left the Land of the Long White Cloud more than a decade ago to take on the world and pursue a musical career overseas. Currently based in France Monique is also quickly becoming a rising star of music in New Zealand.
Monique is classically trained and has gone from violinist to rocker. Her acoustic rock sound has been described as a cross between Grammy award winning artist Sheryl Crow and Canadian songstress Sarah McLachlan but in reality she is in a league of her own. Her intimate and positively charged performances often deeply move members of her audiences and her desire for complete connection with her audiences create a masterful and exhilarating experience.
During her time in Australia and more recently Europe Monique has collected an impressive list of accolades which pay tribute to her incredible talent.
Monique has supported rock and roll legend Chuck Berry on two European tours, has been writing and recording with members of Peter Gabriel's band in London, has written music for the producers of the film The Secret, and has just been part of a performance for His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the south of France which included in the audience the French President's wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, French celebrities and dignitaries and members of the European royal family.
Amongst her other successes, Monique's song 'To the Moon and Back' about James Alridge, a prisoner on death row in Texas, wowed actress Susan Sarandon so much that she wrote a personal card to Monique thanking her for the song. 'To the Moon and Back' appears on Monique's debut album Awakening.
Monique is all about connection and creates a deep rapport with her audiences. She will personally answer every email she receives from fans and its this style and attitude that separates her from the rest.
In late 2008/2009 Monique toured NZ on a sold out tour with iconic NZ singer/songwriter Shona Laing. During that time she decided to start on her incredible charity album for the Royal Plunket Society of NZ, "Merry Christmas Baby". The album went on sale in October 2010 featuring some of the biggest names in New Zealand music. The album reached platinum sales in New Zealand and raised a huge amount of money and awareness around the issues of child abuse in New Zealand.
Monique was nominated for New Zealander of the Year 2010 for her charity work which was a huge recognition of her work.
She is currently on tour with iconic Canadian singer/songwriter Jane Siberry.
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