Rave It Up recently had a chat to Australian singer Paige Renee Court, aka MANE, about her upcoming tour and EP House of Horror.
Paige, since this is your first time on Rave It Up, we’d love to get to know you a little bit better. Firstly we’d love to know, how did you originally get started in the industry?
When I was 16, I started to pursue my music career, before that I was a swimmer. It was always something I wanted to do but once I gave up swimming, I had the freedom to do so. I taught myself guitar and started writing songs and soon after begun performing.
Where did the name MANE come about?
I was sitting on changing my artist name to MANE for a while. The new EP is quite different to what I was previously doing so it just felt fitting to release the new music under the MANE banner.
Throughout your career, what have you found the hardest thing about the industry?
Getting your foot in the door in the right places. There are so many talented musos out there that work just as hard as you so trecking your way through the industry and trying to create something different to set yourself apart from others can be challenging at times.
Your new song Bitter is now out for everyone to check out and it’s incredible. Can you tell us more about it?
Thank you! It is very much inspired by a person who was once close to a family member of mine. I try not to get too spiteful in my songs but this particular person gave me a lot to write about, so I made an exception.
You have once said that, knowing what you know now, the song is probably too nice for this particular person. If you had your time over again now, would you write it differently?
I don’t think I’d write the song differently. I’m happy with where it’s at. That was where my feelings were at that particular point in time, but there is definitely a few others I’ve written since.
Your debut EP The House of Horror is also now out and it explores a lot of darkness that has been a result of your past experiences, from resentment, self doubt to death and depression. Since these songs are all dark, has the writing process been like diary entries for you?
Most of the songs were actually written in my song book first before even deciding on a melody, so I guess in a way they have been. Bitter I wrote with my guitar and Valley of Doubt was finished in the studio, but the other three tracks on the EP were all written first as a bit of a poem.
Do you ever find it difficult to come up with song ideas?
Sometimes I go through stages where I don’t feel I can even begin to write a song because I can’t quite articulate perhaps the emotions I’m drawing from, but other times it’s like word vomit. I think it depends on the head space I’m in.
To celebrate House of Horror, you will be embarking on a national tour this month. For the readers who want to come along, what can they expect from the show?
Some old tunes, new tunes and of course the EP tunes. I’ve got a new pedal board recently, which I’m really excited about. Although not all the shows will be with the band, I want to try creating a bigger sound solo and I’ve been working on that.
Even though you have already achieved so much in your career, what else can we expect from you in the future?
New music and more touring!
What advice would you give to the readers who want to follow their dreams of becoming a singer?
Stick true to your sound.
And as a closing statement and what is probably the most important question, knowing what you know now, what would you tell your 14-year-old self?
I’d tell myself to give up swimming now and start pursuing music.
If the listeners would like to contact you or find out what you are up to, where should they go?
My facebook page is a good one! It links you to everything, You can find it at www.facebook.com/manemusicofficial
Thank you so much for having a chat to us Paige.
MANE’s House of Horror Tour Dates:
Friday July 15, 2016 – The Bluebee Room, Adelaide
Sunday July 24, 2016 – Whole Lotta Love, Melbourne
Friday July 29, 2016 – The Newsagency, Sydney
