Born in Tasmania, Monique began her musical career at the age of 17 as a backing singer in a Hobart-based eight-piece funk/rock band. In 1993 she embarked on a trip to the UK, where she spent the year working in the south of England and travelling through Europe.

Upon returning to Hobart, Monique had the desire to play her own music and develop her songwriting skills. She began busking at Salamanca Market - performing original compositions - and quickly developed a following, people making the trip to Salamanca just to hear her play. This led to solo acoustic gigs at venues in and around Hobart in early 1994, and her first television appearance.

In late 1994 Monique moved to Melbourne and immediately started looking for musicians to jam with. Between her arrival and early 1995, she began writing the songs that would eventually land her a record deal with Sony Music. It was a blisteringly hot summers day in Melbourne, and Monique was walking along Punt Road in the inner suburb of Prahran when she ran into an old friend from her gigging days in Hobart. As fortune had it, he was working for Sony Music at the time as a sales rep.

Initially, Sony's idea was for Monique to record a relatively low-budget EP. During this time, however, she met Bruce Butler, who became her manager. With his help Monique secured a deal with Sony to record a full-length album. In late 1995 Monique joined renowned producer, songwriter and musician David Bridie.

The energetic Fool For You was the first single lifted from the debut album; released in June 1996, it was Monique's first released disc. It quickly entered the top 40 on the national single charts, and Monique headed out on tour to support its release. The culmination was the 1996 ARIA Awards night, where Monique received an award for Best New Talent.

In October 1996 second single Mary was released, by which time Monique had put together a touring band, playing regularly throughout the country. Monique was again the recipient of an ARIA Award in October 1997, this time for Best Female Artist.

Travelling to the US in February of 1998 with bass player and band member Maryanne Window, Monique spent a month in New York and three weeks in Los Angeles writing and recording new material.