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Anders Manga

It's rare that one encounters an independent musician who has overcome the general malaise of the music market, but Anders Manga is a shining example that the 'DIY ethic' still holds merit. With a long and strong background in the horror and fetish film world, his musical project was surprisingly founded less than two years ago. Anders rose to success from the rather unusual locale of Charlotte, North Carolina, due to persistence, sheer talent, and the word-of-mouth power of the Internet. With over 40,000 downloads and holding the honor of being the top-rated gothic artist on Download.com, success has been a whirlwind. Self-produced in his bedroom, his debut, One Up for the Dying, arrived in 2005 with a sound and style that was distinctly gothic, yet painted upon a canvas of electronic dance instrumentation and arrangements. Similar to perhaps the recent goth-friendly works of Gary Numan, DJs and scene journalists began referring to his work as 'gothtronica,' a label that seems to have stuck with him. His first single, "We Won't Stay Dead," became an international club hit; combining Ander's distinctive baritone fog with insistent thumping beats and fluttering fuzzy arpeggios, it was like a missing key between the estranged sub-genre siblings, goth and industrial.

Amazingly, Anders Manga is equally productive in the visual arena, his debut alone boasting an extravagant appendix of four music videos. With a professional polish to all these works, it is clear that Anders' days as a fetish film auteur have been a definite asset for fleshing out his vision. Early in 2006, Anders conjured up another full-length album, an amazing feat considering less than a year had passed since his arrival. His sophomore release, Left on An All-Time Low, not only expanded his project's line-up from a solo effort into a capable quartet, but it also found a more organic niche between his electronic rhythms and his voice's Lestat-like countenance. Now an actual live-performing force, Anders Manga left the studio and set foot to blaze a trail across the American festival circuit, with appearances at Gothstock, Convergence, Eccentrik and Dracula's Ball thus far under their belt. Further festival appearances are planned for his future, four more videos for Low are already complete and available online, and even a third album plus a DVD are glimmering on the horizon. Certainly, one could never label Anders a lazy man.

Reading over your biography, you seem to have led a rather interesting life so far. While originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, you spent a few years in Hollywood. How did you end up deciding to make that move?

Manga: I spent some time working in Los Angeles. I lived there for about eight months, and I still go back from time to time to visit.</p

Yet from Hollywood, you moved back home to Charlotte. How did that occur, and are you happy to be back home or do you miss Hollywood?

Manga: I'm originally from High Point, North Carolina, which is about an hour north of Ric Flair country. I moved to Charlotte in 2004 when a lady informed me that she was pregnant with my son. The child turned out not to be mine, which was a tough one, but I got to learn more about Charlotte and meet people. I've been to many cities, and I have to say I love Charlotte. This is an extremely cool town full of creative misfits, and I'm quite at home here.

Where do you get the inspiration for your songs? What measure is it that these character portraits are based on yourself or people you have met?

Manga: Both, but sometimes it's a complete stream of consciousness where I look back and think, 'What the hell am I talking about?' I prefer to leave the song interpretations up to the listener. It's so much more entertaining to me to get mail from listeners who can relate to a song in a way that I never even thought of. I know that sounds cliché or whatever, but I think most songwriters are like that. There is, however, always a meaning; it could be metaphorical, but it's in there somewhere.

It's rather astounding that an independent artist has invested so much time in creating music videos, with eight currently available on your Web site. What level of importance does this visual aspect play when creating your music?

Manga: Not important at all, really. I never even think of the video until after the song is finished. However, sometimes when I'm writing, an image will pop in my head that I'll irresponsibly not write down, then forget because I think I will remember it. I hate it when that happens. I need one of those high tech little tape recorders like detectives have. That would be bad-ass.

I've read that the corpse in your video for 'Shiver' came from the set of the Eli Roth film, Cabin Fever. How did you acquire such a unique prop?

Manga: It took lots of negotiating with his agent. He was a union corpse, so there was lots of red tape to cut through, but we did brunch in Beverly Hills and came to an agreement finally, with a three video deal. No, seriously, the Cabin Fever movie was shot in North Carolina, and one of my friends was a driver for the film. The Cabin Fever people just left all the props behind, from what I was told. That friend gave Burney—that's his Christian name, by the way—to my other friend, who was my neighbor at the time. He got tired of him stinking up his house, so he gave Burney to me. I try to get him as many bit parts as possible.

From what I understand, Anders Manga started as your solo project, but as of Left of an All-Time Low, Sco and GarGirl, with Psychopsis joining the line-up afterwards, joined you in studio. How has your writing process been affected by expanding the project more towards a full band?

Manga: It's still all me, but Sco did contribute on Left of an All-Time Low and pulled out some sick analog soundscapes. He's brilliant at creating additional atmosphere. Gargirl and Psychopsis are additions for the live show.

Speaking of GarGirl, I read mention that you're assisting her with her debut EP, which might be released via your Vampture Records label. Does this mean you're opening your label up to other artists? What part do you play within her own music?

Manga: Honestly, things are so busy right now that neither of us have had time to work on anything. It's definitely on the to-do list, though. As for signing other bands, I haven't thought too much about that, but it's possible down the road.

You have quite an extensive history directing fetish films. How did you get into that line of work?

Manga: I started a Web site back in the late '90s called TwistedFilms.com selling horror films and exploitation films to help pay the bills. From George Romero to Russ Meyer, anything from the '60s and '70s with blood or boobs. Although the site was primarily horror, the boobs started outselling the blood, so I started stocking and selling more of what was called 'Sexploitation,' Irving Klaw stuff, anything with Uschi Digart, Bettie Page, Marilyn Chambers, etc. This was all out of my basement. I was shipping many packages every day all over the world.

Within the next year or so, my competition got tough; charge-backs and fraud were getting worse, so I knew I had to find other work very soon. It was around that time a guy I knew from the business, Travis Knight, called asking if I could shoot a movie he was making with Gina Lynn in Columbus, Ohio. He didn't have a cameraman, and he knew I had done some low-budget horror shorts. He told me the pay and I definitely needed the money, so I drove up to Columbus. The next thing I knew, I was shooting another adult film, then another. Soon, shooting BDSM was my day job.

I've read that you've been asked to direct for, or are possibly in charge of, a film company called Gotherotica. With the Suicide Girls and Blue Blood Web sites also tapping this vein between gothic culture and erotica, do you think this facet to Anders Manga has helped or hurt your reputation?

Manga: Not true. I knew of some guys who were starting something called that and they asked me to direct, but I believe it fell apart. As for it hurting or helping my reputation as an artist? I don't think it does either. It's just how I made a living like any other job. I've washed dishes, loaded trucks, screen-printed T-shirts, but if I have to do something other than music to make a living, I prefer making movies, with or without naked people. It's definitely my second love. I made some good friends in the adult industry/fetish community and I don't regret it at all. Most of them are really good people who tend to be social misfits just like me, so it worked out.

I've heard that you have set aside a song written as a duet for when you find the proper female vocalist to collaborate with you. Have you had any luck finding that special guest vocalist, and why has this particular song been created for such an occasion?

Manga: I've spoken with a few female singers, but the timing never works out. If I ever do record that song, it will probably be Gargirl. She's heard it and likes it, so who knows?

In the past, you have plugged the UK music store Music Non Stop for their support. Also, you were recently interviewed by the popular German language magazine, Orkus, as well. With your sound quite suited to seduce the European audiences, how have reactions been to Anders Manga overseas?

Manga: I'd say a bit better than here in the States, although here in the States has been awesome.

Since your live shows are still a rather rare occasion, could you describe for us what they are like?

Manga: As you know, the music is heavily electronic, and we try to recreate most or all of that on stage, which is a challenge. Gargirl lays down the beats and backing vocals, Sco brings his wall of synths and other gadgets, while Psychopsis handles all the MIDI programming and backing tracks that we've yet to figure out how to pull off live. As for me, I just try to make sure to remember all the words and give the fans a good show. We're booking more shows this year, though. I just got back from playing Bar Sinister in Los Angeles, which was amazing. Those people know how to have fun. We've played Convergence XII, Dracula's Ball, Symmatry, and we're scheduled to play Freaks United in D.C., the Eccentrik Festival, etc. We're definitely having fun.

You are also working to create the first Anders Manga DVD. I'm guessing the music videos will be featured there, but what else can you tell us about this project?

Manga: It will be mixed with live footage, interviews, behind the scenes stuff and all the music videos. I hope to have it done by the end of the year, as I'm still collecting footage.

With everything else in production, you're also filming a documentary called We Won't Stay Dead: A So-Called 'Goth' Documentary. Could you share some details on this project with us?

Manga: I remember seeing Penelope Spheeris' The Decline Of Western Civilization when I was a kid, and I was very influenced by that film to become a filmmaker, so since the 'goth' scene is so close to me, I figure what better to do a documentary on? There is so much cool shit going on right now underground, musically and culturally. A voice told me to document it, so I'm going to do my best.

According to your MySpace page, you're already at work on your third disc, entitled Welcome to the Horror Show. What can fans of Anders Manga expect to receive within this upcoming third chapter?

Manga: It's a little bit faster and more aggressive than the other two records. I just hit a writing binge and everything is sounding cool so far. I'm very happy with how things are coming along. It's going to be a dark album.

In closing, do you have any final words for our reader base?

Manga: Yes, thank you so much to everyone. It means so much to us underground independent artists to have your support.