Monogem
Monogem performing live at The Echo in 2017
Born
Jennifer Ashley Hirsh

(1986-06-25) June 25, 1986 (age 37)
Agoura Hills, California, U.S.
EducationBerklee College of Music
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active2012–present
Spouse
Jason Melvin
​
(m. 2014)​
Children1
Musical career
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • Piano
LabelsMONOGEM
Websitemonogem.com

Jennifer Ashley Hirsh Melvin (born June 25, 1986), known professionally as Monogem (stylized in all caps), is an American singer-songwriter. She appeared on season eleven of American Idol as a contestant, where she placed fifteenth. Her debut album, Gardenia (2021), was released independently.

In 2015, she released her self-titled debut extended play, Monogem. She later released her second extended play, 100% (2017). Two years later, she released her third extended play, So Many Ways (2019).

Early life and education

Jennifer Ashley Hirsh was born and raised in Agoura Hills, California. She is of Mexican descent with her family coming from Guadalajara, Mexico.[1] She graduated from Berklee College of Music where she studied Brazilian music.[2]

Musical career

2012–2015: American Idol & Monogem

Main article: Monogem (EP)

In 2012, Hirsh auditioned for the eleventh season of American Idol in Houston, Texas. In the semi-final round, she performed Adele's "One and Only", but was not one of the five highest female vote-getters. The judges selected her to be in the Wild Card round, and she performed "Oh! Darling" by The Beatles.[3] Eventually, she was eliminated and did not advance to the Top 13, which she ended up in 15th place.[4][5]

American Idol season 11 performances and results
Round Theme Song Original artist(s) Result
Audition Auditioner's Choice "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" The Miracles Advanced
Hollywood (Part 1) First Solo "Up to the Mountain" Patty Griffin Advanced
Hollywood (Part 2) Group Performance "Hold On, I'm Comin'" Sam & Dave Advanced
Hollywood (Part 3) Second Solo "Georgia on My Mind" Ray Charles Advanced
Las Vegas Songs from the 1950s "Sealed with a Kiss" The Four Voices Advanced
Final Judgement Final Solo "Baby I Love You" Aretha Franklin Advanced
Top 25 Personal Choice "One and Only" Adele Wild Card
Wild Card Personal Choice "Oh! Darling" The Beatles Eliminated

After American Idol, Hirsh began her music career under the name of the Monogem Ring. She explained the name which is a leftover glow from one of the exploded supernova stars.[6]

In 2013, Monogem released her debut single called, "Follow You".[7] In 2014, she released two more singles named: "Wait and See" and "Stay With Me".[8][9] A year later, she released a single called "The Glow" on January 20, 2015.[10] They were included in Monogem's self-titled debut extended play, Monogem, on February 3, 2015.[11] On October 9, 2015, Monogem released another single named: "Gone".[12]

2016–2020: 100% & So Many Ways

Main article: 100% (EP)

On April 22, 2016, a single named "Take It Slow" was released.[13][14] A year later, a single called "Wild" (2017) was released.[15][16] On March 29, 2017, a music video for "Wild" was released, starring Matthew RC Taylor and Coco Arquette.[17] On April 25, 2017, another single called "100%" was released by Monogem. The four singles from October 2015 to April 2017, were included in Monogem's sophomore EP called, 100%, which was released on May 19, 2017.[18]

After two years, three singles were released in 2019. The first single was from 2019 and is called, "Lean" which was released on May 15, 2019. On June 28, 2019, "So Many Ways" was released by Monogem, with a music video.[19][20] And "Soy Lo Que Soy" was released on September 19, 2019.[21] In the same year, a third EP named, So Many Ways was released on October 18, 2019.[22]

In 2020, Monogem released two singles for her upcoming debut album. "Paraíso" was released on May 29, 2020; with "Bésame Mucho" being released on November 20, 2020.[23][24]

2021–present: Gardenia

Main article: Gardenia (album)

On May 20, 2021, Monogem returned with another single named, "Sólo Amor" with a lyric video.[25][26] On July 15, the second single for 2021 was released named "Dame La Fuerza", joined with a music video.[27][28] "Magia", the lead single for Monogem's debut album, was released on August 26. Following the release of her single "Magia", Hirsh revealed in the accompanying visual video that she was expecting her first child with her husband, Jason Melvin.[29][30]

Hirsh released her debut album named, Gardenia, on September 2, 2021.[31] The debut album included one of the tracks from th So Many Ways EP, "Soy Lo Que Soy". The album's title was named in honor of Hirsh's grandmother, whose favorite flower was the gardenia.[32] Hirsh made an announcement throughout on her social media, that she gave birth to her son in September 2021.

Monogem is currently working on a reimagined version of her debut album.[33]

Discography

Monogem discography
Studio albums1
EPs3
Singles18

Studio album

Title Details Ref.
Gardenia [34]

Extended plays

List of extended plays, with selected details
Title Details Ref.
Monogem
  • Released: February 3, 2015
  • Label: MONOGEM
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 [35]
100%
  • Released: May 19, 2017
  • Label: MONOGEM
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 [36]
So Many Ways
  • Released: October 18, 2019
  • Label: MONOGEM
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 [37]

Singles

List of singles, showing the year released, and album name
Title Year Album
"Follow You" 2013 Monogem
"Wait and See" 2014
"Stay With Me"
"The Glow" 2015
"Gone" 100%
"Take It Slow" 2016
"Wild" 2017
"100%"
"Get You High" 2018 —
"Shade"
"Lean" 2019 So Many Ways
"So Many Ways"
"Soy Lo Que Soy"
"Paraíso" 2020 Gardenia
"Bésame Mucho"
"Sólo Amor" 2021
"Dame La Fuerza"
"Magia"

As a featured artist

Title Year Album Ref.
"The End (El Final)"
Plus (featuring Monogem & Nige Hood) 		2022 — [38]
"Body Breathe"
LP Globbi (featuring Monogem) 		Light Places
"Vale La Pena"

Tim Hox & Monogem

2023

Guest appearances

List of guest appearances, with year released, other artist(s), and album name
Title Year Album Ref.
"Better With You"
LENNO & Bee’s Knees (featuring Monogem) 		2016 Good Thing [39]
"Old School"
Bee's Knees (featuring Monogem) 		Variety Pack [40]
"Bank"
Qveen Herby (featuring Monogem & Maliibu Miitch) 		2017 EP 2 [41]

Filmography

Television

List of television credits
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2012 American Idol (season 11) Herself/Contestant 15th place [42]

Music videos

References

  1. ^ Mackelden, Amy (October 9, 2022). "Monogem Explores Her Mexican Heritage in "Soy Lo Que Soy"". Harper's Bazaar. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  2. ^ Hoff Dawson, Victoria (October 23, 2013). "Get to Know Monogem, the Female Answer to Passion Pit". Elle. Archived from the original on January 2, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  3. ^ Sapula, Tanya (February 29, 2012). "Jen Hirsh Wants to Be Your 'One and Only' On 'American Idol'". PopCrush. Archived from the original on July 7, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  4. ^ Lotkhamnga, Seraphina (April 28, 2014). "Ears Wide Open: Monogem". Buzz Bands L.A. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  5. ^ Spuhler, Robert (May 12, 2014). "All Your L.A. May Music Residencies: Air Life, The Acetates, Monogem, and More Los Angeles Magazine". Los Angeles. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  6. ^ Phillips, Aimee (November 16, 2018). "Introducing: Monogem". Euphoria. Archived from the original on January 20, 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  7. ^ Darwin, Liza (June 2, 2014). "Song Premiere: Monogem". Nylon. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  8. ^ Lipshutz, Jason (April 1, 2014). "Monogem, 'Wait and See': Exclusive Song Premiere". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  9. ^ Rosenzweig, Mathias (September 8, 2014). "Monogem's "Stay With Me" Is the Perfect Way to Ease Back Into the Workweek". Vice. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  10. ^ Cummings, Bill (January 27, 2015). "Track Of The Day #641: Monogem– The Glow". God Is in the TV. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  11. ^ Hickey, Matthew (February 3, 2015). "Single Serving: Monogem - Monogem EP". Turntable Kitchen. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  12. ^ Manders, Hayden (October 12, 2015). "Monogem's Latest Single is Your New Girl Power Anthem". Nylon. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  13. ^ "Listen: "Take It Slow" by Monogem". Indie Music Filter. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  14. ^ Mandel, Leah (April 20, 2016). "Monogem's "Take It Slow" Will Get You Pumped To Fall In Love". The Fader. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  15. ^ Schneider, Meredith (November 17, 2016). "Monogem, "Wild"". Impose. Archived from the original on September 26, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  16. ^ Arden-Joly, Elly (November 14, 2016). "Premiere: Monogem - "Wild"". Wonderland. Archived from the original on January 11, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  17. ^ Shahid, Sharnaz (March 29, 2017). "Courteney Cox's daughter Coco Arquette looks grown-up in new music video". Hello!. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  18. ^ Brungardt, Leah (June 20, 2017). "An Interview With Monogem On New Music, Favorite Artists And More!". Music All Access. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  19. ^ Tibi, Ariana (August 19, 2019). "Monogem Releases 'So Many Ways,' A Tribute To The Kaleidoscope of Love". Grimy Goods. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  20. ^ Bronson, Kevin (June 28, 2019). "Premiere: Monogem, 'So Many Ways'". Buzz Bands L.A. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  21. ^ Ely, Paulette (September 27, 2022). "Soy Lo Que Soy". Flaunt. Archived from the original on January 11, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  22. ^ González, Jesús (November 29, 2021). "Monogem: La artista que te hará bailar con su pop con sabor latino". Sopitas (in Spanish). Archived from the original on January 11, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  23. ^ Martinez, Anna (December 23, 2020). "Monogem releases track in ode to her abuelita". Latinitas Magazine. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  24. ^ "MONOGEM". The Undscvrd. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  25. ^ Ward, Steven (May 27, 2021). "Monogem heads to the desert to heal in the lyric video for "Sólo Amor"". Grimy Goods. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  26. ^ Gomez, Albert (May 24, 2021). "Monogem and his inner journey on "Sólo Amor"". Al Día. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  27. ^ Habib, Yamily (July 15, 2021). "Monogem Releases New Single 'Dame la Fuerza'". BeLatina. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  28. ^ Sanchez, Patricia (July 20, 2021). "With new song "Dame La Fuerza," Monogem Takes Charge of her Multi-Ethnicity to Share the Beauty of Blended Culture". Grimy Goods. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  29. ^ Kolba, Andrew (August 26, 2021). "Monogemreleases 'Magia,' the final single from her upcoming album". Al Día. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  30. ^ Diaz, Jeanette (August 25, 2021). "Premiere: Monogem's New Sultry Song Explores the 'Magia' of Motherhood". Remezcla. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  31. ^ Martinez, Jeanette. "Monogem's debut album 'Gardenia' is out now". Le Catrina. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  32. ^ Kolba, Andrew (September 2, 2021). "MONOGEM welcomes life and hope on debut album 'Gardenia'". Al Día. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  33. ^ Russom, Linda (May 2, 2022). "Meet Monogem, a Mexican-American Artist Learning to Embrace Her Roots". Prism Boutique. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  34. ^ Ward, Steven (September 13, 2021). "Monogem celebrates her roots while creating some of her own on new album "Gardenia"". Grimy Goods. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  35. ^ Spence, Sade (February 2, 2015). "Exclusive EP Premiere: 'Monogem,' Monogem". Interview. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  36. ^ Evans, Steph (April 27, 2017). "Monogem strips back and down on "100%"". Earmilk. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  37. ^ Lynch, Joe (October 17, 2019). "Monogem Comes Out of a 'Cleansing Year' With Hopeful 'So Many Ways' EP: Premiere". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  38. ^ Ward, Steven (May 25, 2022). "Plus shares another stellar single and collaboration with the release of "The End (El Final)" featuring Monogem and Nige Hood". Grimy Goods. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  39. ^ Good Thing - EP by LENNO, March 25, 2016, archived from the original on February 3, 2022, retrieved February 3, 2022
  40. ^ Variety Pack - EP by Bee's Knees, September 15, 2016, archived from the original on February 3, 2022, retrieved February 3, 2022
  41. ^ EP 2 - EP by Qveen Herby, December 1, 2017, archived from the original on January 9, 2022, retrieved January 9, 2022
  42. ^ Mazzucato, Olivia (May 23, 2017). "On the Rise: Monogem". Daily Bruin. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
Categories