It’s that time again, when our man on the ground Desh Kapur Editor/Photographer All Music Magazine UK spotlights a bands or artists he thinks are going to have a big 2024 ; bands and artists we think you should check out to stay ahead of the curve
So welcome to THE MANATEES
These boys are delicious pop wrapped up in hip-hop style beats, ethereal and euphoric synths and rock inspired guitars
You need to check them out !!
1. What first got you into music? or Who inspired you to make music?
Jay: My parents were the people who first got me into music. I was exposed to lots of music growing up, I have loads of memories of sitting in the car with Mum and Dad and hearing everything from Cat Stevens, through to Nirvana, the Prodigy, ELO and so much more. They were also the people who convinced me into picking up a guitar when I was around 10 years old.
2. Tell me about your music journey
Tyler: We’ve been playing together a long time and when we started we were some of the only musicians in our towns wanting to play original music so naturally we just found each other through various mutual friends. We spent a lot of time jamming in the early days sculpting our songs but it’s not until we got clued up on Logic that we really started to create our own sound. All of a sudden the boundaries were broken for us and we were able to experiment much more beyond the realms of our instruments.
3. How would you describe the music that you typically create?
Tyler: I would say our songs are pop songs at the core, which I think is really important. It’s all about the hooks and the story. Then with the production and instrumentation we show our individuality. We chop in a lot of hip-hop style beats, ethereal and euphoric synth layers and usually quite rock inspired guitars. We always make sure we can recreate the energy of the songs live, if not bring more to the live versions.
4. What is your creative process like?
Jay: I write a lot of lyrics at night, before I go to sleep. If I’ve got time in the morning I’ll then grab my guitar and start pairing the lyrics to chords and melody. Once I’ve got something half decent we begin to flesh it out as a band. We’ll throw all of our ideas into the pot and undoubtedly take a lot of them back out again. We make sure we all have our individual imprint on the tracks we make, it’s what makes our sound.
5. If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?
Miller: I’m a big Sam Fender fan so it would be mad to support himself and the band.
6. What is one message you would give to your fans?
Jay: Mainly just a big thank you. It sounds horribly cliché but we genuinely couldn’t do what we do without everyone’s support. Playing live is such a massive part of what we do as a band, and the fact people turn up time and time and time again is something we will forever be grateful for.
7. What is the most useless talent you have?
Miller: I can do a mediocre worm. I may or not have injured by chin badly whilst trying to give it the beans. Thank you Magaritas…
Do you sing in the shower? What songs?
Jay: Who doesn’t!! The shower deserves big songs, power ballads. Adele, Elton John, Beyoncé, Prince…the list goes on. I probably murder them all, but who cares
8. What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?
Miller: As a kid, I loved the Percy Jackson books. I tried to convince myself that I had water powers. Soooo, I’d probably be Aquaman.
9. Where have you performed? What are your favourite and least favourite venues?
Tyler: We played all over the UK last year playing in a lot of cities for the first time. We had some brilliant shows in Manchester, London, Bristol and Southampton. I have a soft spot for Edinburgh too. We played our first gig there last year and the crowd was so up for it! I would never slag off a venue, they all have their quirks and charms, it’s the people there that always make it for me.
10. Do you have any upcoming shows?
Jay: Lots! We’re off to SXSW in Texas for the first time in March. I’ve never been to America so it’s going to be amazing. Then we’re back and out on our headline tour of the UK in April. We’re playing 8 dates across the country. Our music is best heard live, in the room with us. So if people are around we cannot encourage them more to get down to a show.
11. What is your favourite song to perform?
Miller: My favourite song to play at the moment is our latest single Buttercup. I switch between synth, bass and sampler so it’s quite technical but I enjoy the challenge. It’s got quite a lot of attitude too so it’s a track I can really get into, especially in the bridge.
12. Which famous musicians do you admire?
Miller: Bruce Springsteen is a huge idol of mine. He’s soundtracked many a car journey and it’s music that my Dad and I bond over. Recently though, I have to admit, I’ve been rinsing Olivia Rodrigo’s latest album. She’s just absolutely killing it. When I’m in my feels I listen to a LOT of Flyte. I love love love their harmonies and their sound is like a huge hug. Take my advice, listen to them.
13. What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
Jay: It’s very dull but I’ve never been in too much trouble. I don’t think any of us have really been. Probably too busy playing guitar! Of course I had my angsty teenager phase, the odd letter home from school. My parents used to smoke and I once cut up every pack of cigarettes I could find inside the house in rebellion. They definitely weren’t happy about that.
14. What is the best advice you’ve been given?
Tyler: Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing, do your own thing.
15. What’s next for you?
Tyler: We’re heading over to SXSW in Austin Texas in March for our first show across the pond. We have a big sexy UK tour in April and we have a sparkly silver EP coming out on February 23rd.
UK TOUR 2024
17th April: Bristol, Rough Trade
18th April: Manchester, The Lodge @ The Deaf Institute
19th April: Leeds, Headrow House
20th April: Glasgow, The Attic @ The Garage
22nd April: Newcastle, Cluny 2
24th April: Birmingham, The Sunflower Lounge
25th April: London, Colours
27th April: Brighton, The Green Door Store
FOLLOW THE MANATEES
My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago
