Rick and Monica are singer/songwriters dedicated to

creative music encompassing several genres. They are

the creative force behind the super duo known as the

Free Souls. “We have ten new songs in production as well

as several videos. We are excited to share our new music

with our fans,” says Rick. Their first EP has been critically

acclaimed and reached number one on the Reverbnation charts. 

 

 

“The music and songs we write are from our daily lives,

you know. What we live and how we feel,” Monica states.

“We have never really stop writing, the world is full of

inspiration for creativity and we just try and capture it,” she says. 

 

 

Rick has loved music from an early age. Since the age of 5, Rick began playing the piano and when he received his first drum set at the age of 8 he has been nonstop in expressing himself through music. “Music was relatively easy for me, as if it was always there just waiting to be called out. It was like I was a musician in a past life or something,” says Rick. He spent many hours in his family’s music room playing drums and his sister’s piano. Even from that early age his family and friends would marvel at his first solos. “Yeah, and I have the photos to prove it,” he laughs. His zeal from music was not just a childhood whim, for he has dedicated his entire life to it. Rick expressed himself through different instruments growing up and played with several noted bands in his home town. While in school he began to take his piano playing more seriously. After graduation Rick was accepted to the Berklee College of Music in Boston where he studied composition and performance. After Rick’s father began a battle with terminal cancer, he returned home and opened his own music studio. “I couldn't let my mother face that alone,” he said. “It was a blow to all of us and I just couldn't let her go it alone.”

 

Rick’s years back at home were fruitful. “I always continued to write music but with my degree completed, I was like a whirlwind with complete focus. I think that time was important to me because after my father passed I felt a change in me too,” says Rick. “ I appreciate all sorts of music genres.” And it shows too. From the undertones of neoclassical pop in the power ballad, Power of the Ring to the blues rock of Feel the Same to the gospel rock sound of Bad Days Are Gone and te American folk of Wherever I Am, it’s all there. “I was surprised when my song Elvis Was King was embraced by the country music community. Creativity is something I have no cure for, it's like a driving force within me.”

 

Rick was not the only one who embraced music at a young age. “I remember when my sister would sit down and play our family piano,” Monica recalls. “I would swing myself up and around the top of our huge upright piano, stretch out and just sing and sing. Both Monica’s brother and sister had  been studying music from and early age and she just couldn't let them get one over on her, so off to piano classes she went. During school her favorite class by a country mile was music. “Even though I never sought out solos, I was often asked by the choral director to sing solo songs or leads in a choral piece for the school's performances and shows. It wasn't until a few years later that it really hit me. My voice will be my instrument!” 

 

She sang with a variety of bands and choral groups though college. Life became hard after becoming a single parent and music had to take a back seat. “Those years were so hard. It was difficult to set aside a part of me hat has always been so vital and so rewarding. I kept my voice in shape, but stopped performing.”

 

That all changed when she met Rick. “We are both from the same town. We wonder how many times over the years our paths crossed. We went to the same places, like clubs, the same beaches, and even the same college. Later we would compare notes and find out we were both at certain places at the exact same time. “I guess we would always just miss each other, maybe by only a few steps,” says Monica. They met at a particularly raucous Fourth of July party. “It was so loud you couldn't hear anyone speak, but we still hit it off immediately.” At that time Rick was working on some recordings and asked Monica to go to the studio with him. “I was so impressed with his talent. He wrote all the music, played all the instruments, and had such an amazing voice,” recalls Monica with a smile. “I told him I had done some singing in the past but was surprised when he asked me to perform on his recordings.” “She was the only person who could harmonize, sing background, and also solo. We began collaborating then, first with songs I was working on, then she would bring me what she had and we would work on hers. It worked out great! We didn't take credit separately for any of our music, it’s a labor of love and we both give it all we’ve got. I believe in doing what you love and loving what you do,” says Rick. 

 

During a trip to London in 2009, they walked in the footsteps of many of their favorite musicians. They spent time in the music district and later took a symbolic step on the iconic Abbey Road crosswalk. “John had Paul, and Paul had John as collaborators. I was always searching for a special partner and I believe Monica is that person,” states Rick. When they returned from Europe the experience had a profound effect on their music. 

 

In 2012 Rick and Monica Mansour founded the Free Souls, posted their music online and began to play festivals. They are preparing to release their second album and are planning a tour.

 

“Keep an eye on this band, they are one of the best this year"- Bob Stein, Westfield Times.