Interview with Steven Bridges

I'm the U.K.'s very own Steven Bridges and we are talking today with Miz Mandy, up and coming singer songwriter, straight from sunny southern California to discuss her new album and get to know this blossoming artist.

SB - So Miz Mandy, your new album, Mandatory, is expected out in August, How did this... you get started?
MM - Well, I had auditioned for a band a few years back as a background vocalist and dancer kind of as a fluke and decided that I enjoyed the performance of music more than musical theatre or film.

SB - So you've been involved in all areas of the entertainment industry?
MM - I guess you could say that. I started performing at school events through the theatre and choir and started performing professionally by the time I was in high school...paid gigs.

SB - And then you moved from St. Louis to San Diego?
MM - After some college, I moved to San Diego originally to pursue a career in film but found myself in the band instead. I toured with them for a few years before deciding that I wanted to do it on my own.

SB - How was Touring?
MM - It was awesome! New friends, great experiences and kick ass shows!

SB - Where was your most memorable show?
MM - Definitely China! We were flown out for 10 days to film a TV special and perform at the opening ceremony of the International Fashion Festival...

SB - Sounds Big!
MM - We performed for 2 sold out crowds of 65,000 and the Chinese people were so gracious and welcoming!

SB - We've heard you can be quite a troublemaker on tour...
MM - Yeah well...if you start giving it out you're going to get it back. I started light, like short sheeting and toilet papering the bands rooms and ended up trapping people in their rooms with walls of mounted bottled water boxes.

SB - So you got it back then?
MM - Oooohhh yeah. We got back from a show and any object they could find and carry was stacked in front of my door! You should see the pictures.

SB - So it says here that you've played in 15 different countries?
MM - That sounds right. But I haven't been touring lately because of the album.

SB - Ahh, yes. It's Mandatory...that you tell us about the album.
MM - It's been an incredible experience! I've been able to work with some very talented local and well-known artists and producers.

SB - And your first project was with Baby Gap of the Gap Band?
MM - Yes, but that project is still in the works.

SB - And Ron Tyson of the Temptations?
MM - I met him through my producer and good friend, Calvin Baugh. We had worked on some tunes together and we met up with Ron and worked on one of their songs in particular. I haven't seen him for a while.

SB - Your involvement in the writing, engineering, and production of Mandatory is astounding for a new artist, how did you become so savvy?
MM - When I decided that I wanted to this, I committed myself to all areas of the business. I interviewed people for their first hand knowledge, read tons of books on everything from how to write a song to music business management. And the rest was trial and error!... A lot of trial and error!

SB - So you've written all 12 songs on the album?
MM - Actually, I wrote 10 of the twelve, most with other songwriters. And a gentleman by the name of Gary Hyde wrote two of the tracks.

SB - And you helped produce all of the tracks?
MM - In the studio, day and night! I co produced with Dan De La Isla (we're secretly married, but don't tell anyone...no comment), Patricio Pickslay, Mario Marrero and Calvin Baugh at about 4 different studios between San Diego and LA. I love the production aspect because you get to be so creative. There are so many instruments and tools that the possibilities are endless.

SB - And what about engineering?
MM - I was in the studio so much that I started catching on and before you knew it, it became easier for me to just do it myself as apposed to trying to explain what I wanted. I'm pretty curious and independent.

SB - So you would just hop in front of the computer and take over?
MM - Closer to the end [of production] I became so obsessed that I got the key to the studio and would just go down and work whenever Dan would let me.

SB - It's been two years then?
MM - Two years of hard work and learning and growing, which I think, is reflected in the music.

SB - Yes, tell us about the music.
MM - The album Mandatory is my first full-length album and takes the listener on a journey into my thoughts. There are love songs, and pain songs...some of the songs are inspirational ...

SB - In what way?
MM - One of my songs "Substance" is about my unhappiness with popular music and the industry as a whole. I'm basically challenging writers and labels to write deeper songs and start realizing that we want and expect more than what they are giving us. I think a lot of the popular songs are a bad influence for our children and just have a negative affect on society as a whole.

SB - What about "Brothas"?
MM - "Brothas" is about everybody coming together and being more accountable and responsible for our behaviors...appreciating differences but realizing how similar we are.

SB - "I got Myself" is a much anticipated song with more of a Dance/Rock feel...
MM - This song definitely has a rock feel and is promoting strength, independence, and confidence in women. It's reminding them that they are so much more, that we should demand respect and stop wasting our time with our only objective in life being to hook a man.

SB - And Hustler?
MM - Hustler talks about people getting out there and doing what they wanted to do...motivating them to get of the couch and take some risks.

SB - Hustle, like you.
MM - Yeah,...but in a good way. Stop talking about it and just do it. Am I allowed to say that?

SB - Your style of music has been called "genius" and "now", what do you call it?
MM - Wow, that's nice to hear! Well, I call it a mish mash of all things yummy.

SB - Yummy Pop Based Urban Dance?
MM - I wouldn't know what else to call it. The hooks are poppy over up tempo dance beats but I integrate all kinds of styles... soulful vocals, distorted guitars, nylon string flamenco style guitar solos, jazzy sax solos, house beats, dark and dirty rhythms... some classic harmonies...I don't know! It's versatile. It's interesting. Every song is just different enough. Some albums you listen too, all of the songs are exactly the same...same key, same range, same style. I guess I get bored and music should be as versatile as the audience.

SB - You're definitely versatile! You've been known to say "More tools for your toolbox" in regards to singing. What do you mean by that?
MM - I originally studied classically. It's a completely different style of singing, different vocal and vowel sounds, a different way to focus the air. So I've studied a variety of techniques, which makes me more versatile. I wanted to be an opera singer....or President of the United States!...Olympic track runner...

SB - Seriously,...
MM - Seriously!

SB - Ha Ha! So you're delivering what you expect.
MM - Exactly! I want good music, good lyrics, I want an album to surprise me and keep me interested till the last note. Educate me, invest in me, and give me something good to believe in.

SB - We can believe in your live show?
MM - I love to perform! It's all about the fans! I just feed off of their energy.

SB - Talk about energy...you work the crowd and stage like I've never seen!
MM - I just get so pumped up! I love it!

SB - You've been described live as Gwen Stefani meets Beyonce.
MM - Hm, I think that my laid back personality comes out and the fact that I love to rock. But my love of dance is evident and a little choreography goes a long way.

SB - Tell us about some back stage experiences.
MM - Back in the day my dressing room was a bathroom/janitors closet and every time we played this particular venue...the same two huge cockroaches were belly up on the floor, looking at me. I actually became quite fond of them, we're still friends!

SB - And on stage?
MM - Oh yeah, and stage diving!

SB - Really?
MM - OOOOHHHhhh Yeah, but you learn quickly that there is only one way to go!

SB - Backwards?
MM - Backwards.

SB - How would you describe what music is to you?
MM - I woke up one night, as I do often, with all these words just filling my head and here's what I came up with...Music is expression, raw emotion. Sound waves of energy that flow through our bodies and bleeds into our souls. Simultaneously, it eases our breathing and makes us choke. Music should make you laugh, make you cry...inspire you to do things and be better... a spark to ignite change, renewal. Music is life in the air. It is god to our ears. I want my music to embody it all, life. And I don't want to pretend to be something I'm not. I have the responsibility to be my best me...and I am you.

SB - That's profound. What is your mission with music?
MM - uhm,...Self esteem and confidence, particularly for women, awareness and motivation in society, consciousness. Progression. Self-Mastery. And eventually, the education of children.

SB - Yes, we've heard about your intent to start a non-profit organization for children. There are three stages?
MM -I guess you could call it a Self Mastery Project. I want to be a positive influence not only through my music, but through educational and inspiring programs as well. The first stage is the easiest to acquire, a Self Mastery Website- offering resources, guidance, networking and support in variety of areas. The second stage is more hands-on and would involve seminars and camps focused on growth, some strictly for children to learn about becoming their best selves through the arts. And the third would be the organization and enforcement of a mandated Life Studies Curriculum, eventually creating a national school program to teach children life skills, options, counseling through education, positive personality traits to success, and the like.

SB - So when can we expect the tour to promote Mandatory, your new album?
MM - We're expected to hit the road this spring.

SB - There's talks about the song Boom Boom becoming a promotional song for a large company's marketing plan, any comments?
MM - Well, it's in the works. But I can't say too much.

SB - You seem so ambitious, should we looking for a second album?
MM - I've got some songs ready to go already. I'm anxious to get back in the studio, so I would say,...yes, probably late 2006. But now it's imperative to promote this album, Actually, it's Mandatory!

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