Anders Manga - "Welcome to the pleasuredome !"

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12 Dec, 2006

Since Anders Manga decided to orient his efforts towards the music world the dark alternative scene is in luck. Not only is he a prolific composer, he also is one of the highest quality that can be found lately. 'Welcome to the Horror Show' is his third record and, once again, he freshly combines synth, gothic, wave & rock. His latest release is his consolidation. Anders Manga has found his style… now you are welcome to follow him into his just released 'Horror Show'. (By Isis)

SL. One of the things that it most impressive when listening to Anders Manga is that, in a world of very defined styles, you are not cut by one scene: techno pop, gothic, rock... there are many styles in your work. How do you build a new song? Do you have a preconceived idea of how it's going to sound or what style you want to approach it from?

AM. I live in the Bible Belt of Charlotte, North Carolina and in this area there are very few people interested in this type of music or this scene in general. Most musicians here seem to have more interest in what is going on in mainstream and choose to jump on the band wagon mimicking whatever is selling or hot at the time. This makes collaborations difficult so I have always had a do-it-yourself attitude. I set up a studio in my home and began recording all these ideas. Since I was young, I was always intrigued by darker music and themes so it came natural. I launched andersmanga.com in 1995 and luckily many visitors liked what they heard. So without any record label or true music business marketing knowledge, the music spread virally from city to city, country to country.

SL. Do you feel that, by working with so many styles, it is easier or more difficult to reach the public?

AM. I don't really feel like I'm working with many styles, I'm just doing what I like and if other people like it I consider that a bonus. The most important thing that any songwriter should remember is to enjoy your own work first. If you believe in it then it's more possible that others will also.

SL. Do you think that the USA scene is more prone to mixing styles and more open to 'outer-scene' influences?

AM. I do not think that this way of thinking is exclusive to the USA but I can speak for myself and say that there are many styles of music that have influenced me over the years which has made me what I am today.

SL. It seems 'Welcome to the Horror Show' will keep the followers that you got by 'Left of an All-Time Low'. Do you think Anders Manga has found his own style? How would you define it?

AM. I think most songwriters are uncomfortable labeling their own work and I definitely place myself in that group. However, your own style or sound usually just comes natural with experience. I think most songwriters first few songs probably sound a great deal like their influences but in time, they build their own Frankenstein that they can call their own.

SL. Maybe 'Welcome to the Horror Show' is a bit more energetic and darker. Would you say this is true?

AM. I'll leave that up to the listener but I guess it's all a matter of taste. I can say however that 'Welcome to the Horror Show' was truly a stream of consciousness that started immediately after 'Left of an All-time Low' was released. Songs such as 'The Shrine', 'Beautiful', etc. just poured out and all I can hope is that I never dry up.

SL. Your influences are wide - we can hear touches of industrial NIN, gothic London after midnight… - what would you say motivates you in writing music? Are there any artists that you admire or would really like to work with?

AM. The first singles I ever owned was 'Cars' by Gary Numan and '(We're All) Clones' by Alice Cooper as a child. I would say those two singles truly left a mark on me. David Bowie and Nick Cave are definite favorites. My motivation for writing is definitely something I have no control over. I read once where John Lennon tried several times to "give it up" or stop writing music only to find himself writing again soon after. As songwriters we just have to do it. We have little choice... it's either get it out or go mad.

…

To read the complete interview, be sure to buy Side-Line issue 57 !

Side-Line issue 57
Anders Manga CDs

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