Meet Dree Mon | Singer, Music Artist, Songwriter and Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dree Mon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dree, why did you pursue a creative career?
Some say that it was all in the cosmos, as an Aquarian baby, we are prone to finding our way to the arts and creativity, but … of course I didn’t know this information and correlation when I got started. I have always been drawn to the arts, and I found expressing myself thru the humanities was my preferred path. I started with a supreme interest in music, and expressing myself physically through dance. Musicality has been part of my blood since I was a baby and once I found myself in a dance class, achieving a new goal I was hooked. I never really thought about the trials of traveling this path and still don’t too often. Of course staying self motivated, inspired and not worrying about the competition is necessary. But, I always just focus forward and do what I can. I don’t feel like I’m actually qualified to do anything else, haha. But I think that’s natural, after spending so much of my life in a creative or arts space, it’s just what WE DO, career or not.

The question about starting my own business:

I’ve never been one to conform well to other people’s ideas, and I knew that ultimately I would be the happiest and most successful being my own boss. That’s not to say that I don’t work well with others or need collaboration, because artistry has a lot of wonderful opportunities for that, which enhance the product and the reach. I was just always extremely individualistic and rebellious (my most played song to date is called “Rebel Soul”), so naturally this was the best option. All artists and creatives are small business owners and crafting the balance between creation and business matters takes time and a lot of constant check-ins and refinement. I’m constantly learning to be better about this balance.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
So I am mainly a performer and content creator these days, who writes songs, sings, plays guitar and entertains the world. And literally mean, the world, because I stream often online, on platforms like Twitch and others were my audience is worldwide. The thing that makes me most proud is actually tied to my brand, which is is promoting a safe space for people to be themselves and celebrate all the wonderful things that make them who they are. My music is very centered on self-love, empowerment, self-expression and going for your dreams. I also write about a lot of nuances that we encounter on that journey, like mental health challenges, qualifying or whittling down your circle to those who truly support you and want the best for you and excluding toxicity, finding your voice, loving who you want to love and more. I also have a few comedic songs and tear jerkers for those other moments. I am constantly inspired by life, whether its an ailment, a conversation, or even something I overheard that I feel I can express to my audience in a fresh way. I am heavily influenced by dancing, and so I tend to pop out a lot of lighthearted, funky bangers that people can move to and “take a break” from the more serious life things that are happening. I am an artist that is constantly growing and has an audience that grows with them.

Lessons I’ve learned along the way, is never change to fit into any paradigm. Your uniqueness is what makes you great. Always be kind to everyone, someone at the bottom can be up tomorrow, and someone up can be down – and MOST IMPORTANTLY, you never know what someone else is going through. Your voice is important and needed in this world. Your relationship with yourself is the most important one you will ever have. Gratitude is at the center of easing a weary mindset. Anxiety sucks, but you are not alone. Don’t neglect the business side of your creative endeavors, if you need to hire help in this area DO IT! Investing in you, is the best money you’ll ever spend.

Was this journey easy… no, not at all. And it continues, because it’s never really done. So we have to enjoy it and the process along the way. Things that have been challenging are mindset, self- belief, resources and time management. I still struggle with all of these. I overcome things by asking for help, you might get some no’s but you’ll definitely find answers and gain inspiration by reaching out to others who are experts where you are lacking. Massive action, can yield massive rewards. For time management, I set to do lists, and I refine them almost daily, I set aside time for exercise, meditation, and random things that make me happy and have no bearing on my business, and nurture my inner child whenever I can.

My story is still being written, but I didn’t come from a lot and I felt that I made a business of something I didn’t initially feel I had business doing. I know now that I am no imposter, and success comes in all forms and at all levels. It’s all about how you measure it, what you lean into, and your drive to get back up after you’ve been knocked down. Also, I am immunocompromised and have had health & injuries alike get in my way, this gave me the courage to never stop searching for solutions and to strive to keep going to inspire others.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ooh, I love this!! So one of my biggest passions is food, and I am also obsessed with the beach and a great hike. I would probably take a visitor to see LA as I do with these experiences:

To challenge them, I’d definitely take them to hike Temescal for the beachy views and steep climbs and to Fryman Canyon during golden hour for the most gorgeous scenery and pictures and that crazy bench that sitting on makes you feel like you are on top of the world.

We’d go to museums like the Broad (my personal favorite) for the Warhols and Lichtensteins, and the Getty – because it’s iconic, our mini Louvre.

We’d go to Erwan for their best-kept secret (the pizza) and grab picnic items and take them to my favorite secret beach spot in Malibu (sorry can’t give it away here); and also definitely go watch the surfers at Topanga State Beach and El Porto Beach in Manhattan / El Segundo area.

Speaking of El Segundo, a coffee date at Two Guns, and a dinner date at Jame for the best pasta and kale salad in town is a must.

We’d see a Carnival Choreographer’s Ball show in Hollywood, dance it up in the circle, have some drinks, and then get one of those unhealthy bacon-wrapped $5 hotdogs they sell outside, topped with a serrano.

Go to Hollywood’s hole-in-the-wall Love to Eat for amazing Thai food, and Thai town for Pad See Ew and their famous fried egg with salty turnip dish at Ruen Pear and afterwards swing by Harvard and Stone for a show and some drinks.

The Night Market scene is a must-do from Thai to Guatemalan, the food is amazing and one of the best ways to learn about other cultures is through the food. And another great place to sample lots of different food is Smorgasbord and Grand Central Market in Downtown LA.

Rollerblading / skating in Santa Monica and Venice is a great way to get physical and people-watch & they have one of my favorite book shops on Venice Boardwalk.

The arts district downtown has some of the best restaurants, maybe a splurge at Bavel for dinner, see some street art, and enjoy cocktails & ceviche at La Cha Cha Cha on their rooftop. It’s also near Japantown so perhaps popping into an institution like Sushi Gen would be on the list.

Honestly, I could talk about this for two years, so I’ll stop there!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This is a really difficult question, because I’ve had so many turning points and different people offering guidance or an opportunity at the different stages. When I think about what I do now, it’s hard to break it up into one area. From formative years to successes in different areas, there are many people that deserve some recognition, so I will just go with the constant who has been there since day one, my mom. She’s an amazing supporter, not because she was able to be proactive or was very knowledgeable of this business, but because she was always open minded to my pursuits, allowed me space to explore, and prioritized my happiness above all. She would love me whether I was a lawyer or living in a van touring the land. She’s been my number one and many times a confidant that I could always talk through decisions with big or small.

Website: https://www.dreemonmusic.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreemonmusic

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/dreemonmusic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dreemonmusic

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/dreemonmusic

Other: Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/dreemonmusic

Image Credits
Mo Cee – Lyd & Mo Photography Annabel Lee Evan Vogel