HOUSTON, WE HAVE NO PROBLEM!
MONICA MATOCHA TRANSCENDS HER
TEEN POP PAST AND EMERGES AS A
POWERHOUSE SINGER/SONGWRITER
ON HER DEBUT SINGLE, ‘IMPOSTOR’
While many underground artists are masquerading as the next icon of pop music, one has broken through the pack with a single that is sailing through the U.S. Pop and Independent Artist Charts. Keep an eye on Monica Matocha (pronounced Ma-toke-uh), because unlike the title of her soaring song, she is no “Impostor.”
Monica Matocha, 20, is a young heart that is muscling her way to the top of the pop scene and magnetizing fans all over the world. Growing up in a local suburb near Houston, Matocha learned the art of assertiveness before many of her peers. She progressed in a very competitive environment winning many regional and national dance competitions that have allowed her to become a triple-threat in the entertainment industry. “I’m not easily intimidated,” says Matocha about the road ahead; her piercing blue eyes convey this confidence from the moment her fingers fasten around the grip of a microphone.
Bypassing open-invitation talent competitions like “American Idol” or other hit shows, she became part of a young pop group that caught the eye of Mathew Knowles, of Music World Entertainment and the father of Beyoncé. He signed them in 2007 and for a brief time they were featured on Radio Disney and were considered to film a spinoff of “Hannah Montana.” In actuality, any group dynamic of three girls and three moms has enough drama to fuel its own reality series. While many teen girls would consider these opportunities a dream, Monica soon felt disenchanted and frustrated. As the group fell apart, Monica began to struggle with a debilitating depression. Unwilling to give in to a downward spiral, she soon crafted her roller-coaster of feelings into a sound of her own that continues to inspire and draw supporters.
Matocha credits her success to this point to having the ability to express herself “without a filter.” She and her producer, John Glover (former artist signed to RCA under Ron Fair and Bruce Flohr), believed so strongly in her music that they transformed Monica’s place into a recording studio. “I learned more about ‘gear’ than I ever wanted to…but it was worth it in the end,” said Matocha of the experience.
Her determination has propelled her single “Impostor” into the top 75 on the US Mediabase Pop Charts and #3 on the Independent Artists/New Releases chart three months after the release. In addition, Matocha snagged “Best Female Vocals” and “Best Pop Artist” at the Houston Press Music Awards on November 11, 2011, winning every category she was nominated in.
The radiating spirit expressed through her performances has earned her over 100,000 views of her single on YouTube, and thousands of fans on Facebook, all growing exponentially by the day. While Monica’s captivating energy and swanky outfits first grab your attention, the subtle brilliance of her songs wins fans over. Listening to the elegant harmonies from her acoustic performance of “Ghost Town” on the live video provides a feel for Monica’s range as a performer.
Although Monica’s first love is music, she’ll admit to occasionally having “arm parties” featuring her bracelets, which is a coined term from one of her favorite fashion bloggers, Leandra Medine of “Man Repeller.” Her lust for fashion means looking like a rock star with a touch of glam, and Monica successfully creates this look herself. Creating innovative jewelry that adds extra spark to her performances, Monica has emerged as a mini fashion icon to her followers. A big part of Monica’s style is layering; she knows how to combine vintage and modern pieces in both her style and her music. Her latest novelties include lava beads, bone bracelets and contemporary bullet necklaces. Monica even puts her faith into her handmade jewelry, turning the traditional rosary chic.
Her website is sprinkled with her favorite quotes from the big book itself and she follows the golden rule as if it were a law- Monica is a fan of her fans. She never ceases to show her gratitude, always thanking everyone who has helped her turn her pop dreams into reality.
“Impostor” debuted on iTunes on November 1, 2011, which also happened to be Monica’s birthday; a momentous occasion and milestone reached in a new year to mark a staggering journey that is far from over.
Preliminary discussions have already begun regarding a headlining spot on a summer tour lineup and the follow-up single to “Impostor.”
Monica’s relentless perseverance, paired with her refreshing humility and natural grounding, resonates with every new fan she meets. The passion Monica constantly exerts can be traced to a line she holds dearly from Steven Furtick’s book, Sun Stand Still: “If no one has laughed at the size of your dream lately… you are not dreaming big enough.”
