MANE's new EP, Coping Mechanisms, is out now! We chat to the musician about the release and more.
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On her revealing new EP Coping Mechanisms, Adelaide musician MANE intricately navigates themes inner strength, mental health and the trials of life, creating a raw and personal body of work documents her own life.
The singer worked with acclaimed producer John Castle on the collection of songs, both creating a textural soundscape full of sonic twists and turns. A body of work written to heal, grow and ultimately start anew with, the Coping Mechanisms is more than a new chapter for the singer. It is a reflective collection of music that shows her ability to become inspired and creative again after navigating some heavy times outside of music. As such, Coping Mechanisms is just that; an exploration of how to come out the other side with the potential to be stronger than before.
“Coping Mechanisms follows the journey of trying times, mental health and the moments of strength in between. It’s a reminder to myself and to anyone else going through something difficult that we all have the strength in us to overcome hard times and welcome personal growth. I’ve always inherently felt things very deeply and fortunately for the better part of the last 10 years I’ve been able to have an outlet for that in my music - hence the EP title Coping Mechanisms. I’m so proud of this body of work and I can only hope that it can resonate and help those travelling through a similar chapter of their life” MANE shares.
Coping Mechanisms is out now! Read our full interview with MANE below.
Tell us a bit about how your musical journey began…
When I was 16 I dusted off my brothers old guitar and started learning YouTube tutorials of songs I loved at the time and because of that went on to peruse music at school. I moved to Adelaide in 2012 for University and that was when I really started networking and realising I could do this as a career. I started off playing sooo many cover gigs at different pubs and venues across Adelaide and during that time I was also writing my own music and finding my sound.
Your new EP Coping Mechanisms is a reflective collection of songs that touches on inner strength, mental health and the trials of life. How important was it for you to explore and document these themes?
At the time it was just what I was going through and because of that naturally it came out in my writing. I think it’s important to shed light on these topics and in doing so I really hope it can help others on their own individual journeys
What was the hardest part about creating a body of work that is so personal and documents your own adversities?
I think it’s the pre emptive nerves before releasing it and mostly the process of going through personal struggles whilst trying to make an EP and remaining creatively motivated. On the other hand though it felt cathartic and therapeutic so I’m reluctant to say the process was a burden but I definitely faced some days where I questioned myself. But ultimately I’m so very glad I persevered.
How did you arrive at the style of music and sounds present on the release?
I wrote the songs on the EP and many more across 2018 and 2019 so it was quite spread out and no song was really written to be apart of a cohesive body of work but it captured different moments of the journey and I think these were the songs that stood out the most and captured that.
If Coping Mechanisms was a piece of visual art, which artwork would it be?
Good Question! Potentially a more chaotic version of Van Goghs Starry Night?
What messages do you hope listeners take away from the EP?
I hope they can find some strength and hope in it and little reminders to keep going.
Australia has a diverse and vibrant music scene, who are some of your favourite Aussie acts?
There’s a lot of brilliant Artists at the moment. Tia Gostelow and Mia Wray are two artist absolutely killing it and that I’m loving right now.
What has been the most challenging part about creating music during the COVID-19 pandemic?
I've done a little bit of writing this year. I think the overall weight of 2020 and the impact of Covid is probably the most challenging part. It’s hard when it feels as though there is nothing to work towards particularly touring wise but I think that’s ok and if there was ever a year to invest time into other things outside of music it would be 2020.
The current pandemic has obviously put a halt to touring and performing live, what are your touring plans post pandemic? If any, what can people expect from one of your live shows?
If all goes well I’d love to be touring next year. I’ve been working hard on the live set with my drummer and guitarist over the last couple months bringing to life the new songs so I'm excited at the prospect of showcasing the tracks on the EP plus some other new ones.
RAPID FIRE
Biggest influences?
Florence + The Machine and Coldplay.
Dream collaboration?
The National or Maggie Rogers.
Album that has had the most impact on you?
Go Farther in Lightness - Gang Of Youths.
How do you define your musical style in 3 words?
Pop, Anthemic, Honest.
Best song of 2020?
Work For Me - Mia Wray.
The best/most memorable show you’ve ever performed?
Supporting Matt Corby in Wellington NZ.
Hannah Montana or Miley Cyrus?
Miley Cyrus.
Album you would listen to on repeat on a road trip?
Melodrama - Lorde.
Best concert each band member has been to?
Coldplay.
Guilty music pleasure?
In a not so guilty way, Spiderbait.
If you were a Spice Girl, what would your Spice nickname be?
Hungry Spice.
If you could support any artist on tour, who would it be?
Coldplay.