Having spun alongside Bob Sinclar, Spinna, N’Dea Davenport, JC (Amalgamation of Soundz), Russ Jones, Smash, Qool DJ Marv, Carol C, Nickodemus, Maurice Fulton and more, as well as holding residencies throughout New York City, DJ Moni (Monica Pineda) may look like your typical DJ, but she is anything but that.

Beginning as a booker and promoter, DJ Moni has gone on to wear many hats by being a solo DJ, one third of DJ crew Ubiquita with fellow DJs Reborn and Selly, a musical director, a resident artist in the NY public school system and a teacher of after-school arts programs to elementary and junior high students. Recently opening up for Goapele and Alice Smith at Central Park SummerStage with her DJ crew Ubiquita, we catch up with DJ Moni to talk about her love for Djing, her inspirations, and what she has planned over the next few months.

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GIANT STEP: Knowing your background, I am always amazed on how much you are involved in. From teaching, throwing parties, touring, etc. did you ever imagine as a kid you would get your hands in so many different things?

DJ MONI: I was always so curious as a kid - loved music, dancing, taking pictures, drawing, painting - but I never thought of actually making a living doing ANY of these things. My parents were somewhat conservative and traditional in their views of career choices for their daughter and even recently I've been asked whether I've given thought to law school! I'm lucky in that all of my hobbies have helped to shape my career, even if my career is made up of so many different projects in so many fields.


GS: It is said that you began collecting vinyl at the age of nine. What was is about vinyl that sparked your interest?

DJ MONI: I used to play with my cousin's records when I was even younger and knew that I wanted my own. I started buying records at nine and since that's all I would spend my money on, I was proud of my little collection. I loved the size of the cover art, the lyrics in the sleeve (I was learning English and couldn't understand any songs without them) and seeing the needle magically create music form some plastic with grooves. I always thought you'd get so much more from vinyl, that tapes seemed like a bad deal. I loved having my turntable/tape recorder so I could make tapes with all my favorite songs. My aunt loved getting them along with my collaged tape covers.

GS: Do you recall some of your first records or the ones that left an impression on you?

DJ MONI: I loved Michael Jackson’s ‘The Wall’ and ‘Thriller,’ The Police’s ‘Sychronicity,’ PIL’s ‘Happy,’ Herbie Hancock’s ‘Rock it’ and Afrika Baambata’s ‘Planet Rock.’


GS: Who are some DJ and artists that you admire?

DJ MONI: There are so many DJs and artists that I enjoy listening to. It all depends on the genre and my mood. Reborn and Selly, whom I spin with in Ubiquita, have similar ears to mine but are completely unique in their selection and I love listening and playing with them. Rich, Nick, Geo and Chris always get me dancing in the city. Gilles, Benji, King Britt always bring it. Production wise, there are two crews doing big things, Bugz in the Attic and Jazzanova - soulful, bass heavy, innovative and fun. Pharell is always on point. Joe Arroyo, Celia, Tito, Cachao and so many other classic latin artists as well. The random list, Fela, JB, Al, Stevie, Miles, Monk, Nina, N'Dea, Bjork, Oumou Sangare, Pixies, De La Soul, Tribe, Jay Z, Nas, SA RA - I can go on and on...

GS: What are your thoughts on Serato versus Vinyl?

DJ MONI: I just got Serato and have only used it at home. I have a lot of records to load and music to organize. Also, I want it to be fool proof before taking it out and I'm not quite there yet. It is definitely easier and lighter to travel with a laptop and hardware with so many more choices at your fingertips. Vinyl sales may dip, but I think there are many hardcore “collectors” that will never let it go.

GS: With so many projects that I can’t keep up with, what does DJ Moni have up her sleeve over the next few months?

DJ MONI: School is starting up again, so I'll be teaching some after school programs. In the next few months I'll be touring with the theater show 'We Got Issues' - an all-woman theater production based on 1,000 interviews with women across the country. Its main purpose is to inspire civic involvement and activism in women through the arts. I produced the original music and score it live as the DJ. I will also be hosting/producing this music show for Sandbox TV and am working on my first release.

GS: Can you tell us anything about this forthcoming release?

DJ MONI: I co-produced one track with Lolex, wrote some lyrics and it's in the mastering stage. For the most part the release will be me collaborating and playing with friends and family. There is no master plan, just going to have some fun and see what happens.

GS: And now for the really hard question, is the vinyl crate half full or half empty?

DJ MONI: Always half full with room for more!