Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A) I am the only daughter, born to my parents who are first generation, Portuguese, strict Catholic immigrants. While my parents were always quite involved in my brothers’ lives as well as my own; the rules for me were a lot tougher than for the boys. I never had the same freedom to go out and explore the world the way they did. Music was my escape. I wrote my first song at the age of 7. It was called “Confusion” and from what I recall, the lyrics reflected a lot of my frustrations and difficulties understanding the double standards. It was my first experience writing a song to express the things I found difficult to talk about.
Q: How are you planning on growing your fan base and sharing your music with the world? What message do you have for anyone who is about to discover “The Manic Boys And Girls Club”?
A) The songs we write are personal and based on real life experience. Although we sometimes find it hard to express ourselves in conversation, something about expression through songs seems safer, and free of judgment. (Afterall; it’s only “art” right?:)
Being open and vulnerable has helped us connect with people.
This is how we want to continue to grow our fansbase, reminding each person who hears our music that they are not alone. We too are going through the same things, and just trying to do our best at this thing called life.
Q: As siblings, how does your dynamic influence the creative process and the sound of your music?
A) Being siblings means we know each other like no one else knows either of us. Having that kind of bond makes it easier to create something together. We have always been close knit so we normally know what the other is thinking even before any word is uttered. The egos are left at the door, which is nice. Despite butting heads occasionally, no one’s feelings are hurt and we don’t take anything personal, we each know what the other has sacrificed to be able to create music so there’s never a doubt that decisions made are for the greater good of the songs. While we each grew up listening to different genres of music, we have always been drawn to music written by great storytellers.
Q: Can you tell us about the story or message behind the song, “Sorry.”?
A) “Sorry” was one of the hardest songs to get through in the recording studio. It is an emotional journey through past regret and the yearning for forgiveness. “Sorry” starts off with the first part, describing sadness and wishing you could just go back and do it over again. The song morphs into somewhat of a sequel. It is the part that delivers blind, delusional hope in a seemingly hopeless story. The song ends with the line, “we can make the wrong things right”.
Q: How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
A) At the risk of sounding incredibly arrogant and sure of myself (both of which I am not), in all honesty, the first word that comes to mind is; powerful.
Q: Did you face any challenges while writing or recording “Sorry”?
A) The greatest challenge in writing this song was being so vulnerable, open and honest. Sometimes you have to just let go of the regret and the burden and somehow release it to the world so that it is no longer kept inside of you, growing and rotting you from the inside. It was hard to sing through without getting emotional, but eventually, it was done.The therapy session came to an end…though the wound is reopened everytime we perform it live.
Q: What is the message of your music? And what are your goals as an artist?
A) The message is hope,always. As an artist, my goal is to use my music as a means to connect with people all over the world so I never feel alone, and so they do not ever feel alone either. We have such a short time on this planet and there are so many forces benefitting from isolating us and making us feel polarized. Music is my means of peacefully rebelling against this attempt at separating us.
Q: Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
A) Michael Jackson. While I am not the biggest conspiracy theorist, I do believe he is still alive. That comforts me.
Q: What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
A) Make sure your love of music is truly love, not just infatuation. Then, get ready to have that love be put through the test.
Q: If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
A) You’re never going to fit in; and that’s the best part.
