Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Monica Aben. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Monica, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
Throughout my life, I’ve had the most beautiful experiences occur after tumultuous times or what seemed like failures. That cycle has taught me that anything that doesn’t work out, is simply protection. When you shift your mindset to see all the “failures” and “dead ends” as protection or redirections, it really allows you to GROW from those moments instead of wallow. It doesn’t meant it doesn’t hurt–but it allows you to see the clear path no matter how chaotic it gets.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m a singer-songwriter, homesteader in training, vintage clothing collector, and an amazing cook (if I do say so myself!) My journey began in a music-loving home, my mother was a professional Hawaiian dancer and my dad has always been an avid reader and collector of vinyl. Storytelling was woven into every aspect of my upbringing, no wonder I became a songwriter! As a teenager I spent my lunches learning and dissecting my favorite songs by artists like Keane, Ben Rector, and Taylor Swift to hone my songwriting skills. It’s been quite a journey– filled with plenty of lows and quite a few highs. But in a world where social media and streaming services use numbers to define success, I choose to see success as continuing to create music that resonates authentically, beyond societal expectations. I believe that as long as artists speak their truth, their music will always find the people who need it most.
I’ve made so much music over the years and gone through many iterations of myself, yet this EP (Everything I’ve Ever Known – out September 6) feels like every woman I’ve ever been and every woman I will ever be standing in front of each other. These songs are a journey of rediscovery. The rediscovery of what we’ve always been… multitudes. Whether it was my Saturn return or the fact that have been in a consistent state of change, growth, and rediscovery for three years straight… I’ve questioned everything that contradicted my intuition (which was basically EVERYTHING) and it cost me friendships & opportunities I thought I wanted etc. However, now that I’m on the other side of it, I’ve never felt more peace, self love, kindness, and synchronicity.
The title “Everything I’ve Ever Known,” couldn’t be more accurate because these songs weave together the story me rediscovering the woman I was meant to be in this lifetime– Honestly, it felt like specific parts of me, from past lives, were being awakened to help me through all that is to come. It’s the sound of establishing an entirely new reality where freedom and health aren’t conditional. It’s reconnecting to nature & our ancestors. Trusting our gut regardless of curated narratives, and being ready to jump into the void over conforming and contradicting our souls. I realized deep in my bones, that’s the reality I’ve always known. So here I am preparing to share my sonic magnum opus that just might be the soundtrack for this new earth.
I have a hometown show coming up at Veritas Yoga in Malibu on Saturday, July 27th at 5pm and we will be opening the show with a soundbath to get everyone grounded, something I think we could all use right about now! Here’s the ticket link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/everything-ive-ever-known-ep-release-show-monica-aben-tickets-939058508277?aff=oddtdtcreator
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Trust your gut over EVERYTHING. But first, you need to make a few mistakes so that you know which decisions are made from your intuition and which are made out of fear or guilt and you’ll know, because an icky feeling lingers afterwards. I think when things are easy and frictionless, that’s a sign you’re on the right path. “Easy” doesn’t mean that you don’t work for it, but it will be like moment of synchronicity or an unexpected connection where everything makes sense. This is the #1 rule I live by and I know for a fact, if I would’ve caved to others over my intuition, my life would look very different and I probably would’ve quit music.
2. When you’re starting out, try to surround yourself with people who are better than you so that you are exposed to greatness. It may be intimidating, but you will see how their brain works and it will help to rewire your approach. I think exposing ourselves to greatness is something we should always continue to do because it keeps us in a state of expansion. New genres, new styles, new approach, new instruments and arrangements! You never know what will spark your next great idea.
3. Have hobbies and passions aside from music. For me, this has been essential because when I’m out in the garden, my mind turns off into a state of peace where it can wander. I also think when you have other passions (like how I collect vintage clothing, have a booming garden, and have a hand in the holistic health world via cooking) you broaden your social circles too! It’s been so beautiful to meet people from all walks of life from all over the world and you wouldn’t believe how many of them have opened their home to me for a concert or contributed to my career in a beautiful way. So expand yourself beyond music because it just makes you a better artist.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
They let me be ME.
Growing up, they let me try every sport or art form at least for a class or a season. My grade school friends used to call me a quitter, but I saw it as exposure to everything so I could find MY thing. Fast forward to graduating high school, I told my parents that I didn’t want to go to a traditional college, but wanted to record an album and take some classes etc. I realize how fortunate I was to have parents that supported me and believed in me. But I wanted to share this story because we live in a culture that wants everyone to be “unique” but then forces them into these societal boxes and that is so detrimental to the human spirit! it’s like “Yes, go be yourself, but within this very specific box or you’ve failed!” So to anyone reading this, if you have a friend, or a child who comes to you in a true and pure way knowing what they are meant to do… Take a chance on them, support them, because you never know how beautiful their journey might be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.monicaaben.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/monicaaben
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MonicaAben
- Other: Link to my EP Release Show: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/everything-ive-ever-known-ep-release-show-monica-aben-tickets-939058508277?aff=oddtdtcreatorLink to Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2gq64z8PmPz0xhGMqwBlx2
Link to Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/monica-aben/960398122
Image Credits
All photos by Brenna Weeks
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