The team at MTS Management Group is always introducing me to rising talent, and this is no exception. I recently received an email about Eddy Mann, a folk singer/songwriter from Philadelphia. His sound is awesome, and you can’t help but tap your foot to the sound of his voice. You can tell his lyrics are written from the heart, and I am glad I got the chance to meet him. It is my pleasure to introduce you to Eddy Mann.
Eddy, you are a musician, songwriter, worship leader, teacher, speaker, coach, husband, and father. I mean… How do you have time for all that? You sound like a busy man!
Whatever I’m doing at the moment is the most important thing. That’s how I survive. There have been times when just holding one of my children was all that mattered, and others when a large audience deserved my full attention and efforts. I’ve learned how to keep a healthy balance.
Tell me more about The Consequence.
The Consequence is the follow up to Dig Love. It continues the theme of an idyllic peaceful lifestyle that hopefully creates a more compassionate world. The difference is that some of the songs are a little darker. If we embrace a more loving view of the world we’re still going to find ourselves in dark places from time to time, but the power of love can be invaluable as a path of strength.
How many different instruments do you play?
I can play quite a few instruments in a vocal support role, but the guitar is my natural instrument. It always was and probably always will be.
How many guitars do you own? Do you have a favorite?
I have a growing collection. I’ll call it a healthy collection in that I only purchase what I use. As an example as I move into an early nineteenth century influenced project over the next year I’ve purchased a couple cigar box guitars to capture the essence of that period.
I’m currently traveling with two Little Martin guitars since the release of Dig Love. I used to have one as a back up, but after playing it at sound check one night I was intrigued by how easy it fit in the mix and explored recording with it. Now I have a back up for the back up. I’m not sure what I’ll be traveling with when The Consequence is released.
Tell me more about your experience working with MTS Management Group.
I’ve been with MTS for three months and it’s been wonderful. I love the positive energy and the feeling of family. As an indie artist I’m always looking to surround myself with quality people and MTS has been all that and more. I know it sounds like a paid ad, but it’s true!
You have a lot of performances coming up this fall/winter. Who does all your booking and are you looking to add any more dates to your tour?
I have a very small team, very in house, but like I said above, I’m always looking to grow the team. As for bookings, it’s all about efficiency. How and where I can add dates that make the most of my time, energy and resources.
Have you ever made a mistake on stage?
I’m imperfection, so yeah, it happens, but it’s not the mistake, it’s what you make out of the mistake. That’s creativity, that’s growing as an artist. It’s like life, we make mistakes, but they should be growing points in that we don’t repeat them. We move forward wiser, or in my case inspired.
I’ve written a lot of songs over the years, but I am not a musician. What is your process for writing a new song? Does it just come to you, or do you sit down and write a song like a chapter in a book?
I write daily. I do it because I feel called to, not because I feel like I have to… It’s not a job for me. I count that as a blessing. I’m inspired by life, and all that’s in it. The simplest of things can set me off, a conversation, a painting, nature, it’s never ending for me.
I just love your voice. When did you know you wanted to be a singer/songwriter?
Well thank you for that. It kind of evolved naturally. Initially I was just a guitarist. I began singing out of necessity. Over time I’ve developed what has become my style of singing, playing… And writing.
Tell me more about your time as a worship leader.
I never set out to be a worship leader, but took to it naturally. An unknown pastor, from an unattended church, reached out to me concerning two new services they were starting. He had heard an album I released and it touched him in a way that he was moved to call me. I was brought up in a very faithful home so there were seeds that were planted and they had taken root over the years. So in hindsight this was a natural progression for me and I found it very easy to write for the church.
Like I said, I’ve written a lot of songs over the years, but none have been recorded. Let me go out on a limb here… Let’s say I send you the lyrics to a song. Any chance you would be willing to write the music for it?
I’d certainly be willing to take a look at them. I’m not sure if I’d hear a melody, but I often collaborate with others.
The music business has changed over the years, and I listen to music mostly through podcasts and Spotify. Have you embraced these “free” platforms and can folks listen to your music on Spotify and/or Pandora?
Yes they can! As the musical landscape changes, the artist in me has to realize change also. Technology changes so quickly today that you’ve never really arrived, you just try to stay as few steps behind as possible. The internet has made it so much easier to reach others, but it’s also created an enormous amount of product from many, many more sources. Like most innovation there’s a positive and negative effect.
What is Re:Prize?
This past May I sold out of three worship albums and decided to put together a compilation of the three instead of reprinting them. Re:Prize is made up of the most engaging songs, the ones that seemed to resonate with people the most. Because of the compilation, which is scheduled to drop this month, The Consequence has been moved back to a November 8, 2016 release date.
What is the best concert you’ve ever been to?
I don’t have a single most memorable concert. There have been so many elements of different events that still reside in my mind it’s impossible to choose just one.
You’re a coach. What does that mean to you and whom have you coached over the years? What have you coached someone through that stands out?
Over the years I’ve been invited into the lives of many friends and acquaintances. Trusted by others who were seeking guidance and direction. I’m not sure why they’ve come to me, but I’m confident in my faith and my past to speak what comes from my heart. It’s always and honor when someone opens up to me for help. I’m not sure whether saving a marriage, restoring a child and parent relationship, or helping someone through an addiction can be weighted as worth more or less. They’re all of utmost importance to the caller.
I bet you drink coffee… How do you take your coffee?
Believe it or not, I’m decaffeinated! I’ve been for more than ten years, by choice. It was during a cleansing season and I’ve maintained it since. My decaffeinated brew is hazelnut flavored with cream and slightly sweetened.
I get inspiration from bands like Eve 6, Anberlin and DJs like Paul Oakenfold and Armin van Buuren. What artists have inspired you over the years?
Because I listen to everything, there have been artists from all walks of life who have and still inspire me. This past week my daily sound tracks were Joy Williams, Vince Gill, Béla Bartók, Oscar Peterson and Joshua James just to name a few.
What’s next for Eddy Mann?
I’m about to start a monthly residency at a local studio that will enable me to collaborate with some talented peers with a live monthly in studio performance. In the fall I’ll also begin a monthly residency at another venue where an on going set of Worship Circles will take place. Then there’s the release of Re:Prize and The Consequence with a live made for cable TV recording being captured at the album release party. I’ll also be doing dates in Virginia, Tennessee and Florida this October.
In all of the interviews I do, I always give the artist the last word. Go.
I just want to encourage everyone, even challenge everyone, to embrace a compassionate view of our world; for everyone to do his or her part in creating a more loving climate; for everyone to take a deep breath and #DigLove.
Connect with Eddy Mann:
Website: http://www.eddymann.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eddymann.musician
Twitter: https://twitter.com/eddy_mann
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/souldulour
