Tell us about your new single/ album/ tour?
The single Bitter is a bit of spiteful tune that I had a lot of fun recording in the studio.
The EP come out last Friday (JUNE 24) and we are taking it on the road this July up the east coast. Can’t wait!
What’s your favourite work at this point in time?
I think this EP is probably what I’m most proud of at this point in time, I think I really found my sound on these tracks.
Tell us a quick, on the road or studio, anecdote.
One of the songs on the EP Valley Of Doubt has a really prominent snare sound throughout the whole song. Instead of actually tracking the snare, we recorded it by chomping down on some light & tangy chips and then added a huge amount of reverb to it. Who needs a real drum kit, ha!
Which song do you wish you wrote?
Oh this is a tough one, I think it’s a toss-up between Paul Kelly’s track How To Make Gravy or Meg Mac’s song Roll Up Your Sleeves. Both totally different genres, but great tunes in their own right!
How would you describe your sound in food form and why?
Hmmm I can’t say I’ve ever thought about this, but I think maybe a mixed bag of lollies because my sound infuses a few different genres.
What’s next for you?
I think after we have toured with this EP I’m going to work on another single and possibly do some more touring later this year. I want to keep the momentum going!
What’s your scene?
Anywhere that puts on and supports live original music.
About Mane
The enigmatic chanteuse, MANE has today announced her new single, Bitter to be released on June 10, alongside a fast-paced, abstract video directed by Benjamin Lancaster Powell. Bitter is the first taste of MANE’s debut EP House of Horror, a bluesy exploration of darkness, set for release on June 24. MANE will be hitting the road to celebrate the release in July, kicking off in Adelaide at The Bluebee Room on July 15, moving through Whole Lotta Love in Melbourne on July 24, and wrapping up in Sydney at The Newsagency on July 29.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXBmVdYbaU8&authuser=1
Haunting and distinct, Bitter is an intriguing release, completely characterised by MANE’s irresistible voice. With catchy hooks that marry pop and blues influences together flawlessly, a driving percussive force, and intricate, edgy production values, Bitter is a venomous reminder to stay away from the bad side of a good songwriter. The woman behind MANE, Paige Renee Court, says of the release, “Bitter was inspired by a very evil, manipulative person – someone who was once very close to a family member of mine. I usually only write songs that are personal to me, but this song became an exception that flowed out onto the page of my songbook within a matter of minutes. If I’m totally honest, it’s probably too nice of a song for this particular person, knowing what I know now.”
The video for Bitter is a visual reflection of the ubiquitous contempt that propels the track. MANE stands alone, silhouetted and soaked in flashes of psychedelia. Directed by Benjamin Lancaster Powell (Aspirations) of Lightreel Films, the video is visceral and forward-moving. On the clip, Court says, “The concept of this clip is to project the attitude of the track through some abstract images and edits. It’s a fast-paced song and we really tried to keep the pace of the clip going with it.”
Produced by Jack Hookey (Harry Hookey, Imogen Clark) at Kanutsens Studio, the House of Horror EP is a melancholic, soulful journey through the human experience. As an avid fan of a variety of different musical genres, MANE calls upon an array of influences to inform her unique brand of blues-inspired popular music. Court says, “The making of the EP was a bit of journey in itself – I went in with a really open mind and didn’t want to shut myself off to any ideas. House of Horror explores a lot of darkness that has been a result of past experiences or the experiences of others, whether that be resentment, self doubt, death or depression. It all comes under the one roof.”
To celebrate House of Horror, Mane will be embarking on a national tour in July. Excited to be hitting the road, Court gives audiences a hint of what to expect from her live show, saying “The live shows we have planned on the House of Horror tour are going to be fun! Some shows will be performed more stripped back, similar to how I wrote the tracks on the EP, while others will be with the full band.”