CLOSEUP Artist Spotlight: Mantaraybryn
Promotion and booking agent CLOSEUP return with their weekly Artist Spotlight, where we put the artist centre stage. This week they speak with Cornwall musician Mantaraybryn who writes music that jumps from obscure pop to electronic and dance.
Mantaraybryn, it’s great to have a chat! We love your music as you well know. In the next few weeks you take on not one but TWO debut headline shows, how are you feeling, and tell us the details!
Extremely excited and nervous (these are similar feelings right?) For lots of people, it’ll be the first time seeing me live so hopefully I can show different sides of Mantaraybryn; from the intimate piano parts to full blown energy. I want everyone who comes to feel like they’ve been taken on a journey through my music. As for locations, London is far from my comfort zone but always so welcoming, involved, and energetic. I think Bristol will feel so familiar and fun, just as the city and Bristolians are. I can’t wait.
Top 3 songs of yours to play live. and of course, WHY?
Ok. first, ‘Honey’ because writing the song sort of blossomed from a negative experience, and now when I play it I’m usually with people having a good time which is cool. ‘Tropics’ just goes OFF and takes me to summer even when it’s pouring with rain outside a venue. Finally, ‘Runaway Goliath’ seems to stir something in me that makes me do a full dad-wedding-leg-groove whilst I’m still trying to play keys and I am ok with that.
Your tunes have been listened to millions of times across the world as Spotify informs us, Spotify is now such a big player in the industry, how important do you think it is for acts?
Spotify has helped me hugely; it’s connected my music with people across the globe. This for me has been exciting and often intimidating for a small artist as you could be discovered (or not). It’s meant that I can build on my art and connect with audiences in a positive way. Spotify can be great for artist’s discographies and audience listening but I think getting out and seeing bands live has to be a more beneficial and supportive act in the current music climate.
If you created a Mantaraybryn Festival, and could pick three headliners, who would you go for?
Easy: Florence & the Machine are closing the festival, her music is basically the soundtrack to my life. We’re going to be friends one day. I know this. Jungle are probably one of the best live bands I’ve ever seen. What they’ve managed to do with 2 main bodies of work is so impressive. They are liquid cool. Then maybe if I could get Kate Bush and Jamie XX to do a joint collab set, that would be perfect. I kind of see myself as the missing link between those two that no one asked for.
Describe Mantaraybryn in five words. No more, no less!
Nature
Stories
Reflection
Drama
Fear