What’s your name?
“What is your name?” asked the Colombian priest in front of my family and my brother’s in-laws at his wedding rehearsal. I stared at him and paused. I was debating saying my name how it’s typically pronounced or if I could say it how I wish it were. And so after a long pause, I declared It’s Mónica as if I were Moira Rose (rest in peace, Catherine O’Hara). Never lived that one down.
I would be lying if I said I regretted saying my name that way because I am Mónica. My name is exclaimed in an accent, in another language, announced in a show! As a musician, however, should that be my name? After all, I am not Hispanic by blood. I do not exclusively write Latin music. So then I considered my actual full name: Monica Clare Murphy.
But..my full name? That’s a little much, isn’t it? Also, how will people find me since everyone thinks Clare can only be spelled C-l-a-i-r-e?
So, I considered choosing Monica Murphy because it has a nice ring to it. Plus it’s alliterate. But then...there was already a Monica Murphy on Spotify.
Next, I considered Móni Clare. Móni Clare sounds artsy. Sounds like I play music that is unique and mysterious. But then… I thought, sounds a lot like Bon Iver…
Then it was back to Monica Clare Murphy. Monica with a c, Clare without an i, and Murphy with a ph. If my songs lean towards being unique, why not choose my full name? In fact, most times after I’ve performed, someone comes up to me and says, “Wow, I’ve never heard that before.” Or, “What’s that instrument?” (It’s a charango) All the more reason to use my full name.
Just like the music I write, I, myself, am unrepeatable. And so are you, dear reader and listener. I can only hope that you relate to one of my songs, whether it’s the more playful ones, or melancholic songs with soon to be added harmonies (when I get rolling on production).
It’s been eight years of songwriting and performing mostly at Linneman’s Riverwest Inn in Milwaukee, WI. It’s also been eight years of working seven different jobs, moving eight times (all in Milwaukee), enduring major surgeries, losing my father, and growing in self esteem and managing anxiety. I am grateful that it has been eight years of creative exploration, self discovery, healing, and joy as well.
I don’t think I’ll ever feel completely “lista” to put my music out into the world. Not to mention the fact that I have cubital tunnel syndrome, so who knows what I’ll do when I can’t really play charango? Regardless, I’m excited to be here and share with you my musical musings on life’s ups and downs. The good, the bad, and the funny. Because what’s life without a sense of humor? And what if I let go of outcomes and just embrace this current state I am in and see where it goes? If any of this resonates with you as a listener or creative who wants to collaborate, please do connect with me. I’d love to hear from you. In the meantime, get excited for my Yeah Bikes! Release Show on February 22nd at 2:22pm at Linneman’s Riverwest Inn. I hope to see you there!