Exposed Vocals sits down with Eddy Mann for an exclusive interview
Eddy Mann’s a… musician, songwriter, worship leader, teacher, speaker, coach, husband, and father… whether you know him as one or more of these people, you know his heart; you know his love for life.
Though his past has been playful and colorful at times, it also has been constant in its vision. It’s always been a vision of hope, peace and understanding through the eyes of a loving heart.
Eddy’s led worship for over fifteen years. As a musician and songwriter it was twenty years ago that he made the decision to offer his creative gifts to God. Since then he’s released seven CD’s and written countless songs for the church and world at large. On any weekend you can find him in a coffeehouse, in concert, at a conference, and/or leading worship.
His greatest earthly joy is his family… his wife Susan, daughters Ashley and Maddy, beagle Molly, g-kids Joey, Layla and Lexi and his sponsored children Emerita and Adjoint.
A new album, The Consequence, the follow up to 2014’s Dig Love, is currently wrapping up sessions at this writing. It once again touches on the theme of a peaceful and loving existence, while delving into the the consequences of our actions. Musically it continues down the path that Dig Love charted staying close to the americana, roots rock, and singer-songwriter traditions. Look for a fall 2016 release date.
“You, You Make Me Feel” is currently at americana radio everywhere, charting on the New Music Weekly country charts. “Something Beautiful and New,” from his September 6th anthology release, RE: Prize is following suit in the NMW Top 70.
twitter: @eddy_mann
facebook page: eddymann.musician
instagram: @eddy_mann
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Eddy Mann: I was born and bred in Philadelphia, PA where I currently call home. My father was a pianist and had a be-bop quintet. My mother was also a creative person, designing clothing and singing me songs as a way to pass down her culture. I never had early aspirations of becoming a singer or songwriter, it just happened naturally as I grew into adolescence. I was painfully shy as a child until I discovered the guitar. It really allowed me to find a voice and develop confidence both creatively and socially.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was the inspiration behind it?
EM: My father adopted the Eddy Mann moniker for his band back in the day, so it was a natural kind of evolution for me to continue using it.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
EM: As an artist I have to adapt myself and my music, to whatever the latest landscape looks like. There are sound arguments on both sides concerning free downloads and sharing, but each of us has to decide for ourselves how we want to be involved in the process. I’ve chosen to actively participate on most platforms. On occasion I’ve even given specified or conditional tracks away. I treat each opportunity, much like each venue, individually.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
EM: Just to be yourself. The world doesn’t need another copycat artist. Be true to who you are, write what you feel, sing what you believe, and let the audience decide whether they relate or not. It’s not the end of your career if someone doesn’t get you, or you message. The next person probably will!
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
EM: Mistakes are part of the process, both in the studio and live. How you handle it is what separates you from everyone else. We’re all broken beings, none of us are perfect, so our art, our music, is going to reflect that, and that’s okay, that’s real. My audience doesn’t want a fake replica of me, they want the honest vulnerable me.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
EM: For me, the best part of traveling is meeting new friends and fans. Eating in new diners, hanging with strangers and getting to know them. Sharing life experiences. Seeing places that you didn’t know existed, and being blown away by their beauty or historical significance. I love it!
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
EM: I’m easily inspired which is a blessing and a curse. I write daily because I’m inspired to do so. Conversations, books, nature, paintings, the news, really life in general just lights me up. When it’s time to do the next album, I look back over the past season’s writing, and usually find a theme running through the works that reflects whatever I was living through at the time.
I say curse only because sometimes you want to turn it off and just get some space. It’s why I took up photography. I found that it allowed me, still in a creative way, to get some separation from the writing bug.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
EM: My website is at eddymann.com and it’s the best place to start out. You can by hard copies of CD’s and such there. I’m also on Facebook at eddymann.musician and Twitter at eddy_mann. My music can be found on all the usual platforms.
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
EM: Ha-ha, my daily soundtrack changes drastically from day to day. I was brought up listening to all kinds of music, and still do! This week I’ve listened to some John Paul White, Joshua James, Béla Bartòk, Charlie Worsham, Bob Dylan, John Lennon and Scott Hamilton.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
EM: I’d probably take care of a few charitable agencies that I support, Compassion, SPIN, Prison Fellowship International, and then travel our country. There’s so much I haven’t seen yet, and I’d like to experience it without a schedule.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
EM: I have a fairly simple approach to recording. I have a project studio (running the Pro Tools platform) in my home so it’s very easy to work when inspiration hits. I’ve always worked at capturing a good sounding track that has the right feel. Most times the right vibe will over-rule the imperfections. As I said earlier we’re not perfect and our art reflects that. Rhythm in the pocket? Intonation good? Arrangement right? Does it make me smile? It’s a good track!
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
EM: Well MTS Management has been a blessing at reaching an ever growing market and creating a buzz about things. Technologically, things are changing as we speak. Where people hang online is fickle at best. So we as artists never quite arrive in a tech sense, but are always trying to stay as few steps behind the curve as possible.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
EM: Today, right now, as I write this… my guitarists would be Dominic Miller and John Lennon, on bass Jaco Pastorius, on piano Dr. John and on drums Omar Hakim.
I know that’s a bit outside the box (and it’d probably be different tomorrow), but boy would I enjoy the process, and I wouldn’t care where we performed!
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
EM: Yeah, I’m releasing the follow up to Dig Love this November called The Consequence. It’s a natural companion project delving again into the aspect of living an idyllically peaceful and compassionate lifestyle. It’s a bit darker at times, and maybe a little quieter musically, but it was a joy to record and I’m looking forward to supporting it over the next year.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
EM: I’d probably be teaching and or coaching if I weren’t making music. I’ve had a season or two doing both and have a passion for them. I guess they’re really the same thing when you get down to it.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
EM: It was a Beatles album and I was actually out of my head. I was captured by the sound, the look, and the energy.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
EM: I wear many hats through the week and actually on most days, and what I’ve come to realize is that whatever I’m doing, that’s the most important thing at that moment. I don’t want to discount the importance of any part of my life, so I’ve adopted a pretty sound approach to changing from one hat to another.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
EM: As 2016 rolls on I’ll be performing in Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina and Florida before heading back north for the release of the new album The Consequence in November. I’d also like to continue to encourage those who hear any of my work to contact with me in one way or another, and to share their thoughts positive and negative. Dig Love, and let’s be in conversation!
