Interview With Manuel The Band
Have you always been interested in music? What is your story and how did you start making music?
The band started in 2017 and was a sort of amalgamation of musicians from very different genres in Long Beach, CA. Long Beach is very known for its eclectic community, so the band being so diverse is no surprise.
What are you working on now? Any future releases we can look forward to?
Right now we’re really focused on releasing our newest music. We have two more singles that we will be putting out, so I’m really excited about that. I am also in the studio now working on more tunes to come.
What Is Your Ultimate Goal In The Music Industry?
To put my music out there and, hopefully, people enjoy it.
What Has Been The Biggest Challenge In Your Career Thus Far?
Juggling the fact that musicians can’t just be musicians anymore. You have to be social media experts, graphic designers, participate in strange viral trends. I think there’s a sort of peer pressure to do those things, but I believe staying true to the craft and putting out music that I like to make has been key to stay fulfilled and focused.
How do you go about writing a song? Do you have a melody in your head and then write the other music for it or what’s Your typical songwriting process?
Usually it’s the riff first, but sometimes that lyrics. There’s really no set formula. But I’d say the genesis of most of my songs are “in the moment,” meaning it’s a sort of burst of creative spirit. Then I move in a more editing direction where I try to make sure everything falls into where it’s supposed to go. Making ure the lyrics make sense, timing feels good, flow feels natural. That sort of thing.
How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?
Big question. I think, overall, it has allowed musicians to put their music out there. Which is great. On the other hand, I think it’s forced musicians to have to become things they aren’t. But I’d also say it’s made a lot of awareness as to how the industry works. The amount of videos that are out there discussing how monopolized the industry is and how the “big” musicians are really just marketing products is astounding. It seems difficult to find musicians at the highest level who are actually writing any of their work. My hope is that we allow more space for musicians who are actually creating their own work to be seen and heard. There are so many talented people out there who get crowded out by big acts who have budgets to dominate the airwaves and internet spaces. With the onset of algorithms, being a musician is immensely more challenging and can feel like. loss of creativity at the end of the day. So, to conclude: internet is great to get your music out there, but unless there are big bucks behind you, it can feel very gloomy as to what that success looks like.
List some famous musicians currently on your playlist?
Bad Suns, Young the Giant, John Mayer.
What Did You Do Before You Started Making Music?
I’m a teacher, a publicist and an economics researcher.
Would you have any advice for young people wanting to follow in your footsteps?
I don’t know if I’m in a position to give objective advice. I can say what works for me, which is to stay focused on what music I like to make and try to push out the things we’re told to do and stay in line with what I love to do.
If you could change anything about the music industry, what would it be?
I’d like to see Agencies/Labels develop more artists. Seems the way it goes now is they tend to sit back and let the artists develop themselves if they can. But that is a tall order for most artists.
How do you feel about originality?
I love it.
Is there anything else we should know about you? or Something that you would like to add?
Thanks for listening to the music.
Links to Where Your Music Can Be Purchased: