Andrew Mancilla

Q. How did the project come into existence?
A: I wanted to make a solo album. My first album was with a college band, Kings Highway, and although I wrote a lot of the music and all the lyrics, I had to forgo a lot of my creative decisions in order to keep the group together. After those concessions, I wanted an album where I had nearly all of the control.
That is where the initial idea to make “STATIC” came from. But the inspiration behind the songs was born out of my frustration with law school. No matter how hard I tried, I simply wasn’t happy spending all my time reading cases and listening to lectures. Although it sharpened me in many respects, it was equally detrimental in others. I had to find a balance between music and law. The songs in STATIC expose my vulnerability and paint a picture of my search for that balance.


Q. Who are the members of the band if any and please tell us about it?
A: I don’t have any band members, but I do work closely with my producer Michael League, who, simply put, is a diamond in the rough. He has a much deeper understanding of music than I do and is fluent with the process of recording, mixing, and mastering. He is also extraordinarily resourceful. In addition to his expertise, the reason I chose to work with him was his love for music. Such a deep love for music is something I find to be rare among musicians who have gone through music school and play as a living. Though I like to think that I’ve experienced it, the passion with which he enjoys music continues to amaze me and is something I idolize and aspire to.


Q How would you describe your sound/genre?
A: I would describe my music as pop, with hints of jazz, soul, and R&B
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Q. What formal training or previous experience do any of the members have?
A: I studied jazz as a minor in college, and taught myself to play guitar. That’s about the extent of my musicality. However, all my players are from top tier music schools and have played with some heavy hitters including Beyoncé, Erykah Badu, Rihanna, and Diane Birch.


Q. Are you working w/ a producer on your upcoming album?
A: Yes, and my next releases will be singles. I believe this approach will be most beneficial and allow me to maintain an interested following. I plan to work with Michael League again.


Q. Who would you say has been the biggest influence on the bands sound or that you have used as inspiration for your music?
A: That’s a really had question and I can tell you why. The song “Fill me Up” on STATIC was written and inspired by Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer.” My song “Tell me How” was originally the ending to my tune “Hide and Seek,” and was part of a long song inspired primarily by Coldplay’s “Death and All his Friends.” “Hide and Seek” also has bits of the Rent album and Elton John’s “Philadelphia Freedom,” which found itself playing a bigger role than I thought in my tune “Damage,” written after listening to David Guetta and Bob Sinclair every weekend in the bars in Madrid during the summer of 2007. My song “Found” was written with the intention of creating more of movie soundtrack feel than a song you hear on the radio and my tune “Lost” was inspired primarily by Nate in Public, an extraordinary band from my hometown Clifton Springs, New York. In short, it’s not one or two main artists but rather hundreds. There are pieces of everyone I’ve really listened to in my music


Q.What advice would you give to others starting out?
A: Depends on one’s goals. If you’re seeking to get famous fast, figure out the pop formula and if you have any talent, go for it. If you don’t have talent, write and find a good-looking, talented young person to sing/play your songs. If you are instead looking to explore your own musical creativity, just do it, and secure a job to support your passion. I think it’s completely possible to have two careers simultaneously. What ever you want to do, just do it. But make sure you understand what you are doing. My first album was entitled “Blind Ambition,” because I had an incredible amount of ambition around that time in my life but I lacked focus. I used to be friends with Stefani Germanotta, now Lady Gaga. She had ambition AND focus. I’d like to think I’ve achieved some of that focus over the past few years.


Q. Where can people go to learn more about you and hear your music?
A: Go to my website, youtube, or just Google me. Also, feel free to email and facebook me. I love meeting people and I love talking about music, so I welcome everyone.


Q. If you could play anywhere in the world or with anyone you wanted where and who would it be with?
A: I’d love to do a tour with Jason Mraz around the United States.


Q. What has been your greatest experience so far either individually or as a whole?
A: Musically, I think my past few shows have been pretty big highlights in my life. Also, I will never forget when we were in the studio and the string section came in to play on “Fill me Up.” I almost started crying because it sounded so beautiful. While I was listening I remember turning to my girlfriend or my brother, I can’t remember which, and I must have looked cross-eyed because the feeling just washed over me, and I said, “this is the closest I’ll ever come to really flying.” I know it’s pretty corny, and I’m not one for spirituality, but I can certainly understand how some people might have experiences that make them believe there is a higher power. I’ll stick with diagnosing it as an intense release of endorphins in my brain, but it was incredible nonetheless.

Q. Do you have any upcoming events or news you would like to tell our readers about?
A: I’ve got another big show at the Bitter End on March 26 at 9pm and I’ll be releasing one or two new songs about that time as well. Additionally, after speaking with my former piano player and good friend Matt Beilis, I’ve decided to embark on a YouTube campaign. I’ll be covering a number of songs and playing my own songs and posting them just about ever other weekend.


Q. Where do you see yourself or hope to be in about 5 years?
A: I will be touring at least once a year. The remaining part of the year I will be writing, recording, and being a lawyer. I love the law, I just hated law school because it held me back. I learn much faster on my own. - Aj & dbs Corp.

Andrew Mancilla’s musicianship is driven by his love to write. Shortly after taking the New York and New Jersey bar exams, Andrew released “Static” on September 18, 2010, at The Bitter End to a crowd of over 50. Since the release, Andrew has played over ten shows throughout New York City, received radio rotation, and has been approached to perform on a television show. One of Andrew’s tunes, “Fill Me Up,” off of Static, has been licensed by an international feature film and many others have expressed similar interest.

Andrew’s musical training consists mainly of an undergraduate minor in jazz studies and long nights on the guitar and piano. Today, Andrew has become a prolific singer-songwriter who gigs as often as time will allow. His passion for music has helped him connect with extraordinary musicians such as Snarky Puppy's Mike League and Stefani Germanotta, who Andrew opened for before she became known as Lady Gaga.

Static is the outgrowth of Andrew’s attempt, during law school, to suppress his natural gravitation towards music. The attempt was a failure but lasted long enough for him to obtain his degree and pass the bar. It was in this personal struggle to quiet his creativity that Static was born. The honesty of the lyrics and lightness of his melodies embody Andrew's simultaneous desire, conflict, and hope at finding a balance. Static is the first of many albums to come from this young, ambitious artist.
- www.brandknewradio.com

Junior’s Cave is absolutely in love with this next Indie Rock Singer/Songwriter who has one of the most amazing voices that we have heard in a long time. Add his crafted songwriter skills and catchy hooks, Andrew Mancilla is the one to watch out for in the near future. Here, Andrew shares with our publication his love for music and performing in this ultra cool spotlight.


Isaac: It’s an amazing time to be a DIY artist/performer/band/musician. What do you enjoy the most about being an indie performer?

Andrew: I like that the question of whether my art is any good is decided by people who are not influenced by money. Since I don’t have a major label pushing my music through radio DJs, I’m developing fans via word of mouth and live performances. My fans don’t like my music because it’s pounded into them, they like it because it’s good. Granted, I’m not saying I am adverse to airplay, but there’s more of an assurance that the music is actually good if it takes off without the help of relentless radio rotation.

Isaac: If you had an opportunity to sign with a major label, would you sign now knowing you may have to give up some of what you have build up over the years about you in the process?

Andrew: It would depend on the terms of the offer. Some deals are so one-sided that the musicians retain very little control over their music. These deals just wouldn’t be worth it for me. I am fortunate to be in a position where I don’t have to take any offer that comes along. I can take huge risks when it comes to my music because it’s not my main source of income, but the risks I take don’t include foregoing control over my writing and choosing the people I work with.

Isaac: I remembered Simon Cowell from American Idol talking about the “it” Factor that makes a musician/band stand out. What do you think is your “it” factor that makes you stand out from others in the music business?

Andrew: My “it” factor is my energy. Generally though, I don’t know if there is one single factor that makes the Beatles or Stevie Wonder or Radiohead for example. Rather, it’s the way all the parts of the musicianship are intertwined with one another. Similarly for me, the relationship between my lyrics, compositions, and players combine to form a certain energy and spontaneity that listeners really appreciate.

Isaac: Why should music fans listen to your music? Describe what they are going to get when they listen to your music?

Andrew: Everyone wants something new and exciting. There are so many arguments that could be made as to why some music is better than others, but it really comes down to subjective tastes. That being said, I think there is a constant that underlies what most people consider good: music with a strong connection to familiar sounds. Music that maintains a relationship to classical, blues, jazz, and rock is much easier for listeners to enjoy because it’s similar to what they already know and enjoy. I approach writing with this in mind, taking baby steps away from what I know. I let my imagination rearrange and rearticulate what I know into something different, but not necessarily new. My music is closer to rearrangements than to what some consider truly original music. Although this doesn’t lend itself to an explanation as to why music fans should listen, it explains why I believe many will listen.

Isaac: Briefly describe your humble beginnings that led you to where you are at musically now.

Andrew: I began listening to Ace of Base and Whitney Houston as a child. I picked up the guitar at age 13, learned some tunes and later joined theatre. Also, during that time, I learned the basics of piano and trumpet. I minored in jazz studies in college and have continued to study music independently ever since. From the time I picked up my first guitar, I haven’t ever really dropped music- except for a brief period during law school which ended up inspiring me to really learn the piano and write my most recent album, Static.

Isaac: You have some strong iconic influences. Of these influences, which artist/band do you relate to the most and why?

Andrew: Two of my strongest iconic influences are Michael Jackson and Queen. They are so appealing because their music embodies a great balance between meaning and fun. Some of their tunes are drenched in passion and others are just musical articulations of happiness. I’d say that of these two groups, I relate to Queen’s Freddie Mercury the most. His upbeat energy and passion for singing are something I share. It’s also much easier for me to sing along with Queen tunes than to sing with Michael, but that’s another reason why I idolize him.

Isaac: Do you feel that Indie music gets the respect it deserves? Why or why not?

Andrew: Since graduating from law school, I’ve become more active in New York City’s indie music scene. I’ve found that there are a number of artists with extraordinary talent who go unrecognized. But, I’ve also found that the indie artists who are truly trying to get their music heard are having some success. Many of the talented independent musicians I come across don’t care so much about being famous as they do about being creative and developing their own musicianship and art. These musicians are generally slower to be recognized for their accomplishments and they don’t seem to mind. I aim for a happy medium, to bring beauty back to pop music. I think it’s a huge problem when the corporate profiteers have more control than the talented writers. I’d like bring talent back to the radio.

Isaac: If you could change one thing about the music business, what would it be and why?

Andrew: I would change the amount of control the industry has gained over music in the past decade. My conclusion that the music industry has too much power comes from the belief that songs like B-A-N-A-N-A-S aren’t actually good so much as annoyingly addicting. There’s a big distinction between what is good versus what is simply hooky and gets stuck in your head. The industry has reduced music to a formula of creating mind-numbing hooks. Generally, these hooks are shorter and simpler, and they are rarely developed. Of course this is “good” music for the industry to profit from, but it’s not necessarily good in the sense of being beautiful.

Isaac: What type of feedbacks have you been receiving about your music from fans and music critics?

Andrew: So far everyone I’ve spoken to claims to enjoy my music. Whether they actually like it or not I can’t say, but I had 50 people come out to my release show after posting a number of the tunes online and 72 people came to my last show only two months after “Static” was published. The growing numbers tell me I’m doing something right.

Isaac: If you knew that you would never gain fame and fortune with what you are doing now, would you continue to make music? Explain.

Andrew: Absolutely. Anyone who writes music the way I do, does so because they have to. It sounds a bit silly but it’s the truth. I went months without writing during law school and became miserable. Writing is exciting, like an exploration, a stretching of sorts, and I simply wouldn’t be happy if I couldn’t do that.

Isaac: How do you handle negative feedback or negative energy about your music?

Andrew: Negative feedback and negative energy are bound to come in the arts. It wouldn’t matter if I was the most talented, best looking person in the world, there would be lots of people who just wouldn’t like my music and many would feel obliged to say so. When people give me any feedback I listen and take what constructive criticism I can. I dismiss the rest of it.

Isaac: What role do your family and friends play in the equation of your pursuit of a music career?

Andrew: Everyone related to me is extremely supportive. My parents funded my album and my girlfriend is currently my manager and lawyer. My brother is a film producer, and he helps me in any way he can. In fact, when I think of my music I don’t think in terms of myself, but rather in terms of my team. Any success I have will be the result of my family-like team.

Isaac: What is the best site/s that you can be found on the Internet?

Andrew: I’m on almost all the sites available to artists and I’ve honestly found that Craigslist still outperforms the other sites in terms of results. Of course, one has to scour craigslist for opportunities, but it offers the broadest and so far the most rewarding. Reverbnation, sonicbids, thesixtyone, myspace, youtube, tunecrank, bandcamp, soundcloud, ourstage, digstation, automated, fortalent, indaba music, broadjam, and pumpaudio all claim to be great platforms for artists, but I’ve only had marginal success on those sites.

Isaac: The floor is yours; final words….

Andrew: My overall goal in life is to pioneer a new way of living where people are as they should be, well rounded and good at many different things. I’m trying to set an example, to show people that each of us can do lots of things with our lives and should not let societal, cookie-cutter expectations hold us back. That’s why I obtained my law degree and now practice criminal law. I love the law and I love music and I see no problem with balancing the two. I am young and I know if I keep at the pace I’m going, I will succeed at pursuing my passions.

Official Website:
http://www.andrewmancilla.com/ - Junior's Cave Online Magazine