Mona Lissa Chanda is a Montreal-based singer-songwriter who was born and raised in Northern Quebec to a German mother and an East Indian father. She crafts torch songs that blend the sophistication of timeless classics with the allure of catchy pop hooks. Her inspirations include Amy Winehouse, Tracy Chapman, Melody Gardot, Sade, and Lake Street Dive. While Mona Lissa Chanda likes to explore the dark side of human nature, her music is imbued with wit, charm, and a nostalgic feel.
In 2014, Mona Lissa Chanda recorded her debut EP, Tip Of My Tongue, in collaboration with Juno Award-winning sound engineer Robert Heaney (collaborator of Cirque du Soleil and Patrick Watson). Critics praised the haunting folk-pop release, comparing it to Sarah Brightman’s acclaimed album Dive. Over the years, Mona Lissa Chanda has graced the stage at renowned festivals such as the Montreal International Jazz Festival and POP Montreal, showcasing her ability to connect with diverse audiences through her versatile and engaging performances.
Mona Lissa Chanda’s first full-length album titled Queen Of Games, released on April 11th, 2025, was self-produced with major contributions by veteran songwriter-producer, Paul Cargnello, who musically arranged and recorded the album in Montreal, Quebec. On Queen Of Games, Mona Lissa Chanda explores her love of blues-rock and classic soul/R&B, with a tip of the hat to Americana. It features Mona Lissa Chanda’s sultry vocals and haunting melodies alongside Cargnello’s powerful guitar hooks and rhythm sections. This timeless collection makes you feel as if you are discovering hidden vinyl gems from the 60s and 70s. However, Mona Lissa Chanda keeps it fresh through her use of contemporary themes and creative genre-blending.
Mona Lissa Chanda is also a trained neuroscientist. Driven by her dual passion for music and sciences, she has conducted research on the neurochemistry of music and the effects of sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll on the brain with Dr. Daniel J. Levitin, the New York Times best-selling author of This Is Your Brain On Music and I Heard There Was A Secret Chord: Music As Medicine.
With ‘Queen Of Games’ out now, we took some time to hear from Mona Lissa Chanda. Read below to learn more about Mona Lissa Chanda, the story behind ‘Queen Of Games,’ and what’s to come.
Hi Mona Lissa Chanda! Let’s start with how did you get your artist name?
Believe it or not, my birth name is Mona Lisa Chanda! My mother is a highly creative/artistic person, and so she chose this colourful name. She said that she wanted people to notice me, and I guess it worked. 🙂 But, I wanted to make a distinction between the everyday me and my artistic persona. So, for my artist’s name, Mona Lissa Chanda, I added an extra ‘s.’
What city are you from and where are you based now?
I come from a very multicultural background! I was born and raised in Northern Quebec (a primarily French-speaking province in Canada) to a German mother and an East Indian father. My hometown is called Sept-Iles (English translation: Seven Islands) in Quebec. Currently, I am based in Montreal, Quebec.
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?
Music has always been part of my life. When I was very young, I used to listen to my mom’s jazz records and imitate the scat solos, and I’ve been singing and/or composing ever since. From a very young age, I’ve also been interested in sciences. Eventually, I earned a Ph.D. in neurosciences from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, where I published scientific articles on the neurochemistry of music. After completing my Ph.D. research about ten years ago, I began to pursue a musical career by recording and releasing my own original music and performing at renowned jazz venues and festivals in the Montreal area.
How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?
I create modern-day torch songs and confessional pop that evoke strong emotions and a story-like experience in the listener. On Queen Of Games, I combine blues-rock, classic soul/R&B, and jazz, with a tip of the hat to Americana. The vibe of this record can be best described as ‘pretty and gritty.’ The result is a timeless collection that makes you feel as if you are discovering hidden vinyl gems from the 60s and 70s. But, I keep it fresh by using contemporary themes and creative genre-blending.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
My hobbies include running, working out, doing yoga, reading, listening to podcasts, and spending time with friends, family and my dog. I get very creatively inspired by what other musicians and artists are doing. So, I go out to their shows as often as possible. I also love going to jam sessions! There’s something so liberating about getting up on stage with musicians that you’ve never played with or even met before; I just allow my musical instincts to guide me.
Who are some of your main musical influences?
Growing up, I was very inspired by all of the great jazz icons like Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, and Etta James. Being half German and half East Indian, I developed a love of both Berlin Cabaret and Classical Ragas. My recent inspirations include artists who blend a vintage jazz/blues sound with contemporary themes, like Amy Winehouse, Tracy Chapman, Sade, and Lake Street Dive, among others.
What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?
Releasing my first full-length album, Queen Of Games, and creating the two music videos for the lead singles! The songs on this album were inspired by personal loss and a longing for connection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, while I was recording the album, I was hit by more personal loss – namely the passing of my father, who I was very close to. So, making this album was both a beautiful experience and a painful one. But, I’m definitely proud of it, and I did my family proud as well!
What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?
I’ve learned two very important lessons over the years. As a trained scientist, I rely on logic and evidence to solve problems, while as an artist, I am guided by emotions and intuition. So, I’d say my greatest life lesson has been to follow my heart when deciding on the general direction that I want to go in, while letting my analytical side devise a plan to get me there. Second, I’ve always been very independent, which can be a good thing when you’re an artist. However, another lesson that I’ve learned is the power of collaboration and the importance of asking for help. You’re not in this alone, and people are often happy to lend a hand. But, if you don’t ask, you don’t get. As my father always used to say, ‘Mona, the squeaky wheel gets the grease!’
Now onto your release, ‘Queen Of Games.’ What inspired this song? What is ‘Queen Of Games’ about?
At the time, I wrote the song ‘Queen Of Games,’ I was just starting to explore online dating following the break-up of a previous long-term relationship. I felt very vulnerable, but I was trying hard to play it cool. So, I invented this character called the ‘Queen Of Games,’ who found seduction effortless and always knew how to get the upper hand. Creating this more confident alter-ego was a nice escape. 🙂
How did the music video for ‘Queen Of Games’ come about? What was your vision for the video?
The music video for the single ‘Queen Of Games’ was filmed at the beautiful Montreal Art Center and Museum, located in the historic Griffintown neighborhood of Montreal, Quebec. For the past couple of years, I have been part of their roster of talented musicians. As part of my informal residency at the Montreal Art Center, I’ve held monthly vocal jazz shows in their piano bar, where I’ve performed to packed houses. When scouting a location for the video, I was seeking a place with lots of character and charm. To create a feeling of mystery and suspense, the place also needed to have many rooms and hallways. The Montreal Art Center proved to be the perfect fit! While the song ‘Queen Of Games’ is narrated from the perspective of its female character, the video takes the perspective of her male suitor who is lured into a seductive game of cat and mouse by a beautiful woman.
What message do you hope fans take away from your music and from ‘Queen Of Games?’
As humans, we have a fundamental need for connection with others, while also yearning to be our authentic selves. Because these needs often run into conflict with each other, pursuing them makes us vulnerable, leading to painful experiences. In reflecting on these experiences through music and art, we can heal and grow from them. For me, the songs on this album are about turning darkness into light. It was very therapeutic to create the music, as it required me to open up but within the ‘safe’ context of my imagination. By doing so, I was able to unburden myself and express emotions that I had been holding in for a long time. I hope the music inspires others to release past baggage and pursue their own healing journey.
What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?
I’m currently writing songs for my next recording project. It’s still in the early stages, but so far, I’m continuing to explore personal experiences through blues, soul R&B, and jazz. I’m having a lot of fun, and looking forward to seeing how the music evolves!
It terms of performances, the following dates are confirmed:
-Friday, July 25th at Cafe La Ligne Verte in Montreal, Quebec
-Saturday, September 20th at Studio 77 in Pointe-Claire, Quebec
-Saturday, November 29th at Case Del Popolo in Montreal, Quebec
I will be announcing additional show dates in coming months, which will be posted to my website and socials. Stay tuned!
Where can we follow you on social media?
Yes, you can follow me on my website and socials!:
Website:
monalissamusic.com
For links to all my socials and streaming, please check out the hyperfollow link:
https://hyperfollow.com/monalissachanda
Before you go, let’s ask you something random. What’s my favorite food?
Popcorn! I’ve been addicted to it since I was a kid. I prefer stove-popped to microwave popped. With a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt.
Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!
