Moniqa Adams - polish trance music producer and dj. In her sets you will most often hear psylifting, uplifting, vocal trance, progressive psy-trance, techtrance and hard trance.
You can expect a lot of energy and a lot of smiles during her performance. She also co-hosts of the dj mix “After Work Party” broadcast every 1st and 3rd Wednesdays on Italian Illogic Radio.
Tracks:
Confusion (2023 Abora Recordings - ranked 11th on the Beatport Trance Top100 Hype and 61st on the Trance Top100; added to playlists on Spotify: Beatport, Black Hole Recordings, Johan Gielen, Andrew Rayel, Bogdan Vix, Z Dobrej Woli, and many more)
Blossom (collab with Dreamlife 2022 Abora Recordings)
Whisper (collab with Nucrise 2022 RaveUp Records)
Back in Time (2022 self-released)
Inside Story (2021 self-released)
Diamond Eyes (2021 Silent Shore Records - included on the Ori Uplift compilation: "Uplifting Only Top 15 September 2022")
Circle of Life (2021 self-released)
Navnation (2020 self-released)
Mayoga (2020 self-released)
Alone (2020 self-released)
· Songs have been supported by: Andrew Rayel, Paul Van Dyk, Matt Bukovski, Manuel Le Saux, Aleksander Popov, Artento Divini, Sonar Zone, XiJaro & Pitch, Elevven, DreamLife, TrancEye, Andrea Mazza, Addictive Sounds and many others.
· Gigs: TRANCENATION (Czech Republic), 28 Jahre Partyersatzamt (Germany), Target One Festival – Technobus (Poland), Trance Friends (x 14, Poland), We Love Trance (x2, Poland), Be In The Moment (x2, Poland), Before Upperground( Poland), Trance Passion (Poland), Samadhi Sounds (Poland).
Guest mixes: Vibez.live (Johannesbourg - Moniqa’s interview at “Bixx Artist Spotlight”), Illogic Radio (Italy), We Love Trance Radio Show (Next Dj), Clubsound TV (Dj Diabllo), Re:Trance, End Of the Year Countdown (Afterhours.FM), Estado de Trance Radio - La Noche Trance - (Spain) (Dj Kastelo), Bielsko In The Mix (Johny Ki), Friends Music Night 7, Radio Time Out, A Magical Emotional Story (Dreamlife), PPL Showcase.
· Gave support to: BIXX, Mark Sherry, Greg Downey, Westbam, Cold Blue, Maratone, Daniel Skyver, Ori Uplift, Matt Bukovski, Robbie Seed, Arctic Moon, Dj DIABLLO aka COORBY, Maywave, Grande Piano, Nitrous Oxide, Dj Krecik, Tiddey, Matush.
1-Dimitris: It would be nice to start by telling us your 3 most important achievements or goals fulfilled in your career so far that you very are proud of.
Moniqa Adams: So far the greatest achievement is how many people liked my last release "Confusion". There were also so many special moments when, during my performance, people started singing the lyrics of the song. That was amazing.
A year has passed since my last release and the current release "Lift Me Up" on Reason II Rise, but I can see for myself how much progress I have made in music production during this year. Of course, it is a never-ending learning process, but I am proud of myself for being systematic and consistent in it because I can see the effects of my hard work.
Additionally, I am proud of my development as a DJ. I've had a lot of performances this year and the coolest thing is that I play together with my fiancé.
2-Dimitris: Why and under which circumstances did you took the decision to start DJing or producing electronic dance music?
Moniqa Adams: I have always loved trance music and my adventure with djing started of curiosity when I saw that I could take a djing course. Then I tried to beat matching for the first time and it totally clicked. Then I saved money for my first DJM/CDJ 400 equipment and played just for myself at home. After some time, I decided that I would like to try music production. Because I have no musical background, I signed up for private classes with Matt Bukovski. I think it was my best decision because the lessons were tailored to my level of knowledge and I could learn exactly at my speed.
After 4 years of music production, I was noticed and invited to my first DJ performance.
A lot has changed since then, as I started playing more and more at parties and learning even more about music production.
I hope you can see the results of my hard work and progress in my release at Reason II Rise :)
3-Dimitris: Can you note down the top 3 producers that have influenced your decision to get involved in the electronic dance music scene and you admire and respect them very much?
Moniqa Adams: Davey Asprey, Asteroid, Matt Bukovski
4-Dimitris: It would be fantastic to talk about your forthcoming release Lift Me Up on Reason II Rise. Please tell us how this track came about and what was the idea behind it.
Moniqa Adams: I always wanted to make a more dynamic song that would still have that beautiful uplifting character. I love the uplifting tracks so much but I also really like the psy-ish bassline. That's why this combination suits me very, very well. So that was the idea for this track.
5-Dimitris: How long it took you to produce it and can u describe the production process in simple steps?
Moniqa Adams: I am happy with my song Lift Me Up. The production process took a long time, but that's because I really wanted to make a psylifting track this time. I love the uplifting tracks so much but I also really like the psy-ish bassline. That's why this combination suits me very, very well. I always wanted to make a more dynamic song that would still have that beautiful uplifting character.
I think I've already developed my production pattern. I always start with a breakdown with vocals, arrange pads, and bassline. Then I move on to chords and melody. Then kick and sub, and the rest is whatever I like. In "Lift Me Up" I used a lot of psy FXs for the first time in my track, which definitely stole my heart because I feel that thanks to these FXs the song is more interesting and well-filled.
I do music in the morning just after I wake up so around 6 am. I can really focus and after 2h I can finish my session :) I can tell you as a secret that I'm producing in pajamas and a bathrobe... but shh ;)
6- Dimitris: Which music composition software or hardware you prefer and why? What is your opinion of the latest movement to produce music with more analogue equipment and with less or without any digital software?
Moniqa Adams: I'm using an Ableton. And love how it's easy to work with.
7-Dimitris: Are there any vocalists/singers on electronic dance music you aspire to work with?
Moniqa Adams: Definitely, I would love to work with Sarah de Warren, That Girl, and Linney.
8-Dimitris:How much time do you spend promoting yourself in your social media and you see this as essential tool for self promotion and getting bookings too? Which social media is the one that seems to work better for you?
Moniqa Adams: We live in times when presence on social media is, I would say, a necessity if you want to be present in the music market. I think I take care of my social media, but I also value my privacy very much. However, the best moment is when you can talk to people during events and start good relationships. This is the most valuable thing for me, and further contact with these people online is a great bonus and an opportunity to maintain contact.
You can find me on FB and Instagram but I share tiktok with Adam :)
9-Dimitris: Do you have your own radio show/podcast/twitch stream or Vlog(video blog)? If yes please give us a comment about it and how long it take you to prepare for it and if you are always excited to produce it?
Moniqa Adams: With Arsen. we have a slot in Italian Illogic Radio, where every 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 9 pm you can here our 1 hour dj mix called "After Work Party". We are carefully preparing to record the mix. Moreover, it is also a good time to practice and develop your DJ skills.
10-Do you post videos on tiktok? If yes please reference for us your favourite? What is your opinion about the power of tiktok to promote music releases?Is there any tiktok video created by fans of you with your music worth mentioning?
Moniqa Adams: I started posting on TikTok, because it's so dynamic social media. I have my favorite from my performance, where you can hear people's reactions to a track I played. It's so great to have those memories recorded.
11-Dimitris: Do you have any gigs/festival performances confirmed so far for 2024 in which ones are you most excited to perform and why?
Moniqa Adams: Yes, at the end of 2023 I received an invitation to events for 2024, which was already super exciting for me.
I play together with Arsen. and at the moment we have a confirmed event in our city, organized by Clubsound Management (greetings to the entire team), where Daxson will be the headliner at the TRANCE NATION event, and Matt Bukovski, Dj Diabllo, Milwish and Rafuss will also play with us.
In addition, we have events planned with Trance Friends in our local community.
12-Dimitris: Please share your most funny and most serious incident that happen to you during your DJ or LIVE PA performance?
Moniqa Adams: I had funny situations during the livestream. I had a lot of fun and mixed the next track, where I suddenly realized that I was mixing exactly the same track that was just ending. Of course, I quickly changed to the next song, but I had a lot of laughter.
13-Your current Top 3 tracks with short comment:
Moniqa Adams: Richard Durand & Sarah de Warren - Made of Stone - so emotional
Rene Ablaze feat. Sarah de Warren - The One - my happy song :)
Asteroid - Rapture - so refreshed
14-Dimitris: Please note for all the new talents that read this interview to get some inspiration from you any technical tips in relation to your DJing or music productions. Also any piece of personal or music business' advice that has helped you to progress even further and is worth telling to the new upcoming talents.
Moniqa Adams: For those who are starting their adventure with music, I could say that do what you love, and don't worry about criticism (it will always be there, and it appears only when you are doing well).
Learn not to compare yourself to others, I specifically say "learn" here, because you have to work through it in your head. Improve yourself, develop your skills, and see how far you have come and that you are better than "yourself from yesterday".
Dimitris: Your message & wishes for Flux Bpm Online readers.
Moniqa Adams: Flux Bpm wish you all the best and I hope you enjoyed my little story :)
Thanks so much to Moniqa for her answers
Thanks so much to Sonar Zone for arranging this interview
Find it here: https://hypeddit.com/moniqaadams/liftmeup
https://www.instagram.com/moniqa_adams