We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Angela Mona a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Angela, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
Music was my first language, so there was no way I was just gonna brush it off and tell myself “I’d rather be a doctor instead” even though that was close to happening. I’ve always felt powerful on stage or just creating, its so different.
The moment I laid eyes on Lady Gaga when I was 9, now that’s what hit me. It was 2009 and the MTV awards was still a big deal, especially during Gaga’s Fame era.
I’ll never forget discovering her in the white getup, shocking the audience with her blood. It shocked me too, cause I’ve never seen an artist attempt something like that. My jaw dropped as I stared at our TV screen in awe. That’s what made me want to throw myself out there even more as an artist.
I grew up listening to so much music, heavily versatile from dad’s cassette tapes of 70s-80s sounds to mom’s iPod of Dr. Dre and Eminem hits. Strong influences on my taste and artistic direction.
We’re Armenian, so there was also a LOT of cultural music playing at home, at parties, and during road trips: Russian, French, Italian, Arabian, and some Indian too.
Upon discovering Gaga, I then heard of Amy Winehouse when I was 10, then Cher, and many more singers/performers whom I admire soooooo much to this day. Huge respect for all the women in music who I looked up to throughout my adolescence.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
First-generation curse breaker is what I always call myself. As an Armenian-American individual from an immigrant family, I strive to break generational curses with my music and creative direction. It’s been my calling ever since, despite the many personal struggles and blockages.
Not just music really, but anything visually artistic drives me as well. So irrelevant to music, but I’ve been fascinated with UX/UI design and After Effects. It can get tough practicing alone, but it’s the progress that matters.
When I claim to be multi-hyphenate it can confuse sometimes. Especially when I’m applying for gigs and/or jobs sadly, they want you to somehow be boxed. That’s the thing with my work, I’m not sure how to categorize myself into one singular path- so I just call myself an artist.
Anyone can be an artist, depending on their field. One doesn’t have to be a musician, performer, or painter to be considered an “artist”. I find graphic designers, art directors, and even creative producers to be artists.
I’m all-around. Although I love making music and performing live, I’m also working on my portfolio as a creative and film director. I just enjoy creating (with the right budget of course), I prep mood boards and treatments for my cinematic universe so when I have the funds, I’m able to execute my vision with the best team!
There’s only one thing about my creativity- it’s all one giant ode to my inner child. I’ll let the music and visuals speak for themselves as we carry on.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
Way too many lessons, even when you’re a first-gen kid growing up in a family who only knew what they knew, and what they learned during their time.
Even though I was taught to “stand up for myself”, I was also given the “good girl” trope. When one should tolerate and respect one’s behaviors, especially when they’re related to you. This kind of mindset made me listen to others around me, but not myself which really held me back from SO many things as a teenager.
In some ways it destroyed my confidence, repressed my emotions, and made me feel like I’m not smart enough, powerful enough to say/do things.
Just to go to school, be a good student, and be a good daughter. That’s all.
To be very honest that didn’t prepare me for the society we live in whatsoever. Because of my naivety and incredibly open-hearted nature, putting people first before myself, etc. I got hurt real bad. Got hurt from A&Rs, people from college, certain relatives, fake friends…
Real bad to the point I fell into depression and wanted to hurt myself instead. I was let down and left confused by all of it.
For years, I’d see how generous my mother is with her kindness and vibrant energy, then see how she’d get hurt from it eventually. All because she tolerated the wrong people, including her own family. Inviting bad energy. I believe in that stuff.
There’s just a lack of boundaries where I’m from. Mental health and emotional intelligence aren’t prevalent in Armenian culture (a lot of different cultures for that matter).
I had to teach my own parents and older brother recently what boundaries mean.
Since the pandemic, when I just turned 20, I ultimately had to parent myself on building my own confidence and setting boundaries.
Not “tolerating” anyone’s bullshit or negativity. Sure I can accept people for who they are (cause I can’t change them),
but will NEVER allow that energy in my life ever again.
I’ve grown more wise and observant for my age, which is both a blessing and a curse.
Regardless, I’m grateful it. Even as an artist, someone in the music/entertainment industry, you HAVE TO be observant.
Don’t let anyone take advantage of you, don’t allow any negativity into your realm.
If you feel it, you’ll know. That’s when you should take action.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Well first, the social media algorithms should be fixed cause there are SOO many incredibly talented artists and creatives that end up on my explore pages with low view counts and low engagement.
I’m in the same boat, and it gets very frustrating. Posting and posting, just to fall in the hundreds prison and not build a core audience that engages with you and your work.
The only way for creatives (in that dilemma) to have a larger reach is to pay for ads.
It’d be a thriving creative ecosystem if social media didn’t become such a lottery game, where artists have to beat the algorithm with 3-4 posts of “short-form content” daily. For real, give us a break and let us shine.
Believe me, the marketing and video production/editing process for artists would be more fun and rewarding.
ANOTHER THING 😶🌫️
Many artists need to drop their egos. I see it. It’s vile.
For example, when I reach out to collaborate on music or some kind of visual project, man it’s all crickets (yet they see it.)
The message was viewed, the follow up was seen- yet nothing.
The ego death will make collaborations and communication way more genuine and less…shitty.
Don’t want to collaborate? Just be straight up. Not feeling the vision behind a project? Be straight up about it.
Sure I understand one isn’t obligated, but one should be professional ESPECIALLY in this business. The least you can do as a creative is give honest feedback to the person offering the collab opportunity.
ALSO, what are these scams? There’s way too many scams feeding upon aspiring artists and creatives. It’s become a virus.
That shit should be illegal. I pray whoever scams on the young and naive in any creative industry (music, acting, modeling, performing arts, etc.) be caught and exposed for everyone to see. Shame on them.
We shouldn’t have to pay for EVERY OPPORTUNITY or pay our way to get through the doors. It’s unethical.
Reminds me of those digital marketing and dropshipping gurus on socials that just sell courses promising riches and freedom. It has to stop if we want a thriving ecosystem. All honesty and professionalism, no bullshit.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://angelamona.univer.se/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moshiwazhere/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelamona/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEcmVsm2P1g6Z2QVHHL8C8w
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/angelamona
- Other: Creative Portfolio: https://angelamona.my.canva.site/portfolio
Image Credits
Lyov Ghajoyan – @ghajoyan_photo