Monica 'Spirit' McIntyre (Spirit-They-Them) is a Cellist, Vocalist, Lyricist, Wellness Advocate, Sound Healer, Reiki Practitioner, Artist & Black Excellent -- promoting empowerment and healing by any medium necessary. Spirit believes in the power of vulnerability, breath, creating intentional artistic relationships, honoring lovability, being seen/seeing, and growing compassionately through tight places to find authentic expansion. Healing affirmations, meticulous storytelling, self-love and metaphor saturate their lyrics. They use their voice and cello to seamlessly genre blend -- Blues, Soul, Folk, Classical, Reggae and other Diasporic sounds mix into an unforgettable musical landscape.
Witnessing Monica perform is an enthralling experience and before you know it you will be swaying or stomping your feet. The smoky texture and emotional quality of Spirit's voice has left audiences crying, dancing, laughing and testifying.
Living in Philadelphia, the city of Brotherly Love, immersed them in a serous education of: Funk, Soul, R&B, Jazz, and World Music. In October 2003 they self-released their debut album ‘Blusolaz’ -- a collection of original songs which fused: Blues, Soul and Jazz together. ‘Bars Of Gold’, Spirit's debut single, was self-released in August 2005.
In November 2010 Monica relocated to New Orleans, LA and became immediately involved in its thriving local music scene. Joining forces with singer-songwriters Lynn Drury and Margie Perez to form, The Honeypots, an acoustic genre blending group. Their debut album 'Something Sweet' was released in April 2012 on the ThreadHead Record label and was nominated for The 2013 New Orleans Best Of The Beat Awards. The Honeypots have been featured performers at the French Quarter Fest (LA) 2013, The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (LA) 2013, and The Creole Tomato Festival (LA) 2014.
Additionally, Monica has featured at numerous events and venues throughout the world most notably: Soul Sista's Jukejoint (GA) 2005, The 215 Festival (PA) 2005, Sistahood Celebration (Vancouver) 2008, The Philadelphia Fringe Festival (PA) 2008 & 2009, The Black Women's Art Festival (PA) 2009, Sisterspace (MD) 2009, Ladyfest New Orleans (LA) 2010 & 2011, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (LA) 2013, and The French Quarter Fest (LA) 2013. Most recently Monica was a featured artist on the online International music show "Balcony TV".
In September 2013 Monica self-released their sophomore album 'It Soon Come', produced by John Chelew, featuring: Marcia McIntyre (violin/vocals), Thea Bashful (vocals), Reggina Thompson (oboe), and Mike Jacobsen (percussion). In December 2014 they self-released their third full-length album 'Mourning To The Moonlight'.
"I gave away my sorrow to the sunshine, I'm free again" -- 'Mourning To The Moonlight', Monica McIntyre
Monica is a Core Facilitator for Wildseeds: The New Orleans Octavia Butler Emergent Strategy Collective; a a Include organizing, gender identity, Black Feminism and Black Excellence