EDM Artist Paul Manchin Returns with Master Album, Eliciting Nostalgia with “First”
Solo artist Paul Manchin, whose songs have charted on international radio, is ready to rock the airwaves again with the release of a new album inspired by a song that takes listeners on a nostalgic journey down memory lane.
The indie singer and songwriter from Toronto announced he will officially unveil the album, Master.
It will consist of 40 tracks, some of which have already been released in the past digitally. But it was when the musician was visiting his family and reflecting on his life that he thought to include them in the new double compilation CD album.
Manchin was transported back to his childhood and expressed that by picking up a pen and sitting down at his piano. Together, with Black Jack, they produced First, a powerful single which Manchin unveils in the upcoming album.
The artist approaches every album as if it’s his last, but ironically this song is about first experiences, and how they’ve influenced Manchin’s life, helped pave the way for Master, a record of all sorts of memories, emotions and thoughts combined into one soul-stirring tracklist.
“When I bring an album to life it has to create some kind of meaning. Every project I write about is with the intention that it will be my last,” he says.
The single, where Manchin shows off his penchant for the piano, is also accompanied by an equally provocative music video, shot this summer, and shows the gestation of a child in a mother’s womb representing birth, the future, and daily life.
The rest of the album promises to strike a chord with many listeners as it continues to explore life’s key themes such as relationships, identity, rebirth, loss, mortality, time, love and heartbreak.
“My greatest goal is to create energy and a soul that is prepared to be free. My music has always been about diversity, and I have a love for all people,” he says.
Manchin, whose musical journey started when he was five years old after his sister asked him to write a song for her French Teacher called ‘Ferme la bouche (Shut your mouth)’, has released many digital albums, with his latest in 2020; Don’t Love You Anymore.
Paul’s music has aired on Sirius XM, NBC’s House of Mystery Radio, ‘The Afternoon Drive Show Top Tracks’, and charted on radio stations around the world. His music was included on a number of compilation recordings, such as Promo Only, WeMix, and Xtendamix. Manchin’s music has received airplay on Citytv, MTV, VH1, Bravo, Omni, Chin, Camoes, and Backstage Pass. In addition, his music has been reviewed in Billboard, Cashbox, HOLR, Canadian Music Blog, Exclaim, and Spill Magazine.
Producers on Master include David Bottrill, Moe Berg, Chris Briscoe, Brent Bodrug, Denzil Remedios, Black Jack, and Paul Manchin. Remixers include Jack D. Elliot and Spyros Poulos.
Care to introduce yourself?
My name is Paul Manchin. I’m a singer, songwriter, and musician living in Toronto. I like to write and record on my own and with others (Songs of all genres). My music is predominantly observational and inspired by other people’s stories, and sometimes personal experience. Every project I write about is with the intention that it will be my last and my greatest goal is to create energy that sets you free. I’m interested in areas of mental health and equality. My favourite pastime is walking through the forest and connecting with nature.
Tell us about the process of writing and recording “First.”
“First” is the music single on my album Master consisting of forty tracks. The song is about first experiences and how it influences a person’s life in the past, present, and future. I was visiting my family in Hamilton when I wrote the song, reflecting on life. I started with the lyrics and melody which led eventually to the piano. I sent the song to Black Jack, and we collaborated, produced, and wrote the song together in Toronto. Black Jack played the instruments on the recording and I sang the vocals. We work well together and believe in the music.
There is also a music video. The video is about the gestation of a child inside the womb vocalizing to the mother. This video was produced by Hill’s Video Productions in Burlington this past summer and consisted of me playing a child in the fetal position and the model playing the expecting mother.
What’s it like being a musician in Hamilton, ON?
I don’t live in Hamilton any longer but I go back often to visit my family and friends. I was born there and still feel connected to my roots. In fact, I wrote my first song there titled “Ferme la bouche (Shut your mouth)’ for my sister’s French project. Also, I wrote a song titled “A Song Lives Forever (Une chanson reste pour toujours)” in memory of my aunt who passed away from Cancer. My first interview was with Connie Smith on CHCH News to discuss the song. In addition, the first nightclub I performed at was ‘Absinthe’ for the Hamilton Music Scene (I dressed up like ‘Winnie The Pooh’ for the show).
Who was the first and most recent Canadian artist to blow you away?
There are two firsts. No pun intended. The first Canadian would be Candi Pennella from ‘Candi & The Backbeat’.
I went to HMV in the Eaton Centre while she was signing her CDs there and I passed my song to her manager in hopes that she would sing backups. In time it came to fruition. Also, Moe Berg from ‘The Pursuit of Happiness’ is another artist I would like to mention. I remember as a child watching his video ‘I’m an Adult Now’ on MuchMusic. I was very fortunate for him to produce and co-write my song ‘Take A Ride’.
The most recent Canadian producer/artist would be Grammy Award Winning David Bottrill who has worked with Peter Gabriel, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Rush. Thanks to Rob Bozas (Real World/Long Tale Recordings) in the UK who connected us.
I never knew David before then but when he produced and co-wrote ‘Gratification’, I saw that he was capable of enormous creativity and was blown away.
You’ve been making music for a while now, what’s one piece of advice you can offer to those starting out?
I would encourage anyone to believe in themselves and be passionate and dedicated to their work. Continue to grow in your craft by learning new ways to approach music that creates some kind of meaning for you.