Interviews
Manafest
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| ARTIST | Manafest |
|---|---|
| SONG | “Learning How to Be Human” |
| LABEL | Self Released |
| ORIGIN | Pickering, ON, Canada |
The song title, ‘Learning How to Be Human,’ reflects my ongoing growth and unwavering commitment to my calling. Growing up, I faced many challenges, starting with losing my dad to suicide at five years old. According to statistics, I should be on drugs, broke, and lost. But this song is a testament to the transformative power of faith and the unwavering promise that, even in our imperfections, we are loved and guided by a higher purpose.
What was the recording process like?
The song was produced by my good friend and legendary producer, Joe Rickard. We demoed the song remotely, collaborating from Toronto to California. I then flew down to track the vocals. We ended up re-writing the chorus about five times and even took a piece of the bridge to enhance the hook. Joe has a gift for seeing the big picture of a song and isn’t afraid to move things around or challenge me to rewrite parts to make them the best they can be. Our goal is not just to write and record songs but to create something timeless, both lyrically and sonically.
You've blended rock and hip-hop for a long time now. What do you think about the current resurgence of rap-rock and nü-metal?
Yeah, 23 years I’d say is a pretty long time.. LOL. I think it’s dope to see all these new artists creating content on TikTok blending rock and rap. The genre has definitely elevated and there is just more music being created overall. Being able to sing and rap you could be an oddity and stand out but now everyone does it. Singers rap, rappers sing. Now it’s being creative with the melodies, music and lyrics to carve your own lane.
After a decade on a big label, you've been independent nearly as long. What are the major advantages to doing this on your own?
The biggest thing about being indie is you have to be a self starter and you have to build your own team. The money is way better but also have to be willing to take the risks but then you get to reap the rewards. What I miss is it’s lonely sometimes being an artist/entrepreneur so it’s important you have a team and stay connected. The label was good at scheduling too and timelines so I’ve had to learn to force myself to plan ahead.
