Conversations with Dr. Monika Demmler

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Monika Demmler.

Hi Dr. Demmler, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today. 
I started playing music as a child, trying to learn all the instruments I could find from my mom or my older brother. At that time, I didn’t know that music would become such an important part in my life, and I went to university to become a high school teacher, which I quit very soon as I didn’t like the outdated system very much. When I wrote my PhD, I dived into music philosophy of blues, jazz, and hip-hop music, and it left me astonished. After having finished my doctorate, I just wanted to create music, art, etc., myself, and so it took turns. I ended up where I am now 🙂 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There are always struggles on the way, be they financial, emotional, or physical (touring, haha). It’s never been easy, but I follow Patti Smith’s advice on “you not only have to walk through one door but break through many doors. After one door, there’ll always be another door …” and so on – that’s life, I guess? 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a Los Angeles-based award-winning (2 REMI, Global Music Award) pioneering composer, multi-instrumentalist, djane, and speaker, channeling my research in Solfeggio frequencies into musical artworks, blending genres in a new and captivating way: My latest releases (2022) are Zucker (avant-garde techno-deep house) with Holzkopfkinder and Princess – a feline mix of krautrock, shoegaze, punk. Currently, I’m working on my third album, Love Bomb, as an antidote to the prevalent global political/social situation. 

I don’t think anything sets me apart from others, as we are all artists or creators of our inner and outer lives. 

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love Los Angeles despite its traffic and high rents. I love the sunshine, even in summer. I love the music, even though I’m not a fan of backing tracks sometimes. I love the style, the artistic vibe, brilliant musicians, old Victorian houses, Mexican food, the love & light of people I meet. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.drmonikademmler.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmonikademmler/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/monikadrdemmler
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmonikademmler
• Twitter: https://x.com/drmonikademmler/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6YJQOZdspw3bUAEkMxudXQ

Image Credits
Martyn Goodacre