South Florida Indie Music Artist Talent Support Developers & Musical Agency Management

Andrew Mancilla

Brooklyn, New York

Q. How did the project come into existence?

A: I wanted to make a solo album. My first album was with a college band, Kings Highway, and although I wrote a lot of the music and all the lyrics, I had to forgo a lot of my creative decisions in order to keep the group together. After those concessions, I wanted an album where I had nearly all of the control.

That is where the initial idea to make “STATIC” came from. But the inspiration behind the songs was born out of my frustration with law school. No matter how hard I tried, I simply wasn’t happy spending all my time reading cases and listening to lectures. Although it sharpened me in many respects, it was equally detrimental in others. I had to find a balance between music and law. The songs in STATIC expose my vulnerability and paint a picture of my search for that balance.

Q. Who are the members of the band if any and please tell us about it?

A: I don’t have any band members, but I do work closely with my producer Michael League, who, simply put, is a diamond in the rough. He has a much deeper understanding of music than I do and is fluent with the process of recording, mixing, and mastering. He is also extraordinarily resourceful. In addition to his expertise, the reason I chose to work with him was his love for music. Such a deep love for music is something I find to be rare among musicians who have gone through music school and play as a living. Though I like to think that I’ve experienced it, the passion with which he enjoys music continues to amaze me and is something I idolize and aspire to.

Q How would you describe your sound/genre?

A: I would describe my music as pop, with hints of jazz, soul, and R&B

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Q. What formal training or previous experience do any of the members have?

A: I studied jazz as a minor in college, and taught myself to play guitar. That’s about the extent of my musicality. However, all my players are from top tier music schools and have played with some heavy hitters including Beyoncé, Erykah Badu, Rihanna, and Diane Birch.

Q. Are you working w/ a producer on your upcoming album?

A: Yes, and my next releases will be singles. I believe this approach will be most beneficial and allow me to maintain an interested following. I plan to work with Michael League again.

Q. Who would you say has been the biggest influence on the bands sound or that you have used as inspiration for your music?

A: That’s a really had question and I can tell you why. The song “Fill me Up” on STATIC was written and inspired by Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer.” My song “Tell me How” was originally the ending to my tune “Hide and Seek,” and was part of a long song inspired primarily by Coldplay’s “Death and All his Friends.” “Hide and Seek” also has bits of the Rent album and Elton John’s “Philadelphia Freedom,” which found itself playing a bigger role than I thought in my tune “Damage,” written after listening to David Guetta and Bob Sinclair every weekend in the bars in Madrid during the summer of 2007. My song “Found” was written with the intention of creating more of movie soundtrack feel than a song you hear on the radio and my tune “Lost” was inspired primarily by Nate in Public, an extraordinary band from my hometown Clifton Springs, New York. In short, it’s not one or two main artists but rather hundreds. There are pieces of everyone I’ve really listened to in my music

Q.What advice would you give to others starting out?

A: Depends on one’s goals. If you’re seeking to get famous fast, figure out the pop formula and if you have any talent, go for it. If you don’t have talent, write and find a good-looking, talented young person to sing/play your songs. If you are instead looking to explore your own musical creativity, just do it, and secure a job to support your passion. I think it’s completely possible to have two careers simultaneously. What ever you want to do, just do it. But make sure you understand what you are doing. My first album was entitled “Blind Ambition,” because I had an incredible amount of ambition around that time in my life but I lacked focus. I used to be friends with Stefani Germanotta, now Lady Gaga. She had ambition AND focus. I’d like to think I’ve achieved some of that focus over the past few years.

Q. Where can people go to learn more about you and hear your music?

A: Go to my website, youtube, or just Google me. Also, feel free to email and facebook me. I love meeting people and I love talking about music, so I welcome everyone.

Q. If you could play anywhere in the world or with anyone you wanted where and who would it be with?

A: I’d love to do a tour with Jason Mraz around the United States.

Q. What has been your greatest experience so far either individually or as a whole?

A: Musically, I think my past few shows have been pretty big highlights in my life. Also, I will never forget when we were in the studio and the string section came in to play on “Fill me Up.” I almost started crying because it sounded so beautiful. While I was listening I remember turning to my girlfriend or my brother, I can’t remember which, and I must have looked cross-eyed because the feeling just washed over me, and I said, “this is the closest I’ll ever come to really flying.” I know it’s pretty corny, and I’m not one for spirituality, but I can certainly understand how some people might have experiences that make them believe there is a higher power. I’ll stick with diagnosing it as an intense release of endorphins in my brain, but it was incredible nonetheless.

Q. Do you have any upcoming events or news you would like to tell our readers about?

A: I’ve got another big show at the Bitter End on March 26 at 9pm and I’ll be releasing one or two new songs about that time as well. Additionally, after speaking with my former piano player and good friend Matt Beilis, I’ve decided to embark on a YouTube campaign. I’ll be covering a number of songs and playing my own songs and posting them just about ever other weekend.

Q. Where do you see yourself or hope to be in about 5 years?

A: I will be touring at least once a year. The remaining part of the year I will be writing, recording, and being a lawyer. I love the law, I just hated law school because it held me back. I learn much faster on my own.