Mona Lissa Chanda is a Montreal-based singer-songwriter who blends the sophistication of timeless classics with the allure of catchy pop hooks. She is inspired by the likes of Amy Winehouse, Tracy Chapman, Melody Gardot, Sade, and Lake Street Dive. Drawing from her own life experience, Mona Lissa writes torch songs about self-discovery and the longing for love and connection. While she often explores the dark side of human nature, her songs are imbued with wit, charm, and a nostalgic feel. Ultimately, she loves life with all its imperfections and embraces the opportunity to witness reality as a modern woman.
Mona Lissa’s background is filled with delicious paradoxes that fuel her creativity. She was born and raised in the northern town of Sept-Îles, Quebec to immigrant parents. Her father was East Indian and worked as an engineer in the mining industry. Her German mother was an artist and homemaker who introduced her to jazz, blues, and Berlin Cabaret. From a young age she was immersed in French Canadian culture, while savouring the cultural riches of Europe and Asia during her travels. Mona Lissa’s educational background includes academic degrees in fine art and neurosciences, along with training in vocal jazz and Italian Bel Canto singing. In the mid-2000s, she lived in Chicago, where a visit to the historic Chess Records studio and the vibrant local blues scene inspired her to embark on her path as a singer-songwriter.
In 2014, Mona Lissa recorded her debut EP entitled Tip Of My Tongue in collaboration with Juno Award-winning sound engineer and producer 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. In 2017, she teamed up again with Heaney and Raphael Rosenwald (early collaborator of The Dears and Arcade Fire) on her sophomore EP, Oracle. Mona Lissa's lilting voice carries a remarkable range reminiscent of her idols Blossom Dearie, Patsy Cline, and Sarah Vaughan. Over the past decade, she has graced the stage at renowned festivals including Montreal International Jazz Festival, and POP Montreal, showcasing her ability to connect with diverse audiences through her versatile and engaging performances.
Mona Lissa’s latest song and video, 'Professional Victim', released on January 31, 2025, is a celebration of healthy boundary-setting with a catchy Motown groove. It is the lead single from her first full-length album, Queen Of Games, scheduled for a spring release. 'Professional Victim' is not a song for the faint at heart, but rather it is for those with a big heart who give selflessly to others. While that’s a great quality to have, it is important to realize when you have given too much for too long, to the wrong kinds of people. This song is a friendly reminder to start putting your own needs first.
Watch it on YouTube:
'Professional Victim' is a celebration of healthy boundary-setting—the ultimate act of courage and self-love. Mona Lissa wrote the lyrics and melody loosely based on her own experiences with codependent relationships, as well as the tragic stories of other people who have been exploited by so-called “professional victims.” Her vocals are a bold, unapologetic expression of her indignation at these events. 'Professional Victim' was musically arranged, performed, and co-composed with Montreal-based songwriter-producer Paul Cargnello. His infectious guitar hooks help this track to shine, while the classic Motown rhythm will have you up and dancing!
Listen on Spotify here: open.spotify.com/track/3D1BSVAV5Do06P5EUM4cnO
Although the subject matter may be heavy, Mona Lissa chose to give it a humorous twist in the music video for 'Professional Victim', which was filmed on location in downtown Montreal, Quebec. In this video, our heroine struggles to break free from a demanding and self-centered partner who is constantly feigning injuries to gain sympathy, favors, and control. In a highly satisfying ending, this manipulator with an angelic face finally gets his comeuppance.
The upcoming album Queen Of Games, also produced in collaboration with veteran troubadour Paul Cargnello, explores Mona Lissa's love of blues-rock and classic soul/R&B, with a tip of the hat to Americana. The result is a timeless collection of songs that makes you feel as if you are discovering hidden vinyl gems. The Queen Of Games album launch party takes place on Saturday, April 12 at Casa Del Popolo in Montreal, QC. Click here for more information facebook.com/share/1D9f6hZYDg/
Mona Lissa is also a trained neuroscientist. Driven by her dual passion for music and sciences, she conducted research on the neurochemistry of music and the effects of sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll on the brain with her scientific mentor Dr. Daniel J. Levitin, the New York Times best-selling author of This Is Your Brain On Music. Recently, Dr. Levitin acknowledged Mona Lissa’s research contributions in his latest best-selling book entitled I Heard There Was A Secret Chord: Music As Medicine.
