Connect with us

This month, Alec Berve, aka Man Cub, dropped an incredible new album titled Before It Gets Better on Seeking Blue Records. We got the opportunity to speak with him directly about the album and what it took to create such a beautiful piece of art. He opened up to us regarding his mindset, process, and influences in creating this sophomore album. Check out the album and full interview below for yourself!

1) What was your inspiration and motivation behind Before It Gets Better?

Man Cub: I have so much I could say about it so I’ll try not to be too wordy.

Man Cub: Thematically and lyrically this album is definitely for people going through it. I co-wrote the vocals and lyrics to every song except one, and that was really important for me. Going into each writing session I told the writers that I really wanted to write about internal struggle – that included depression, grief, addiction, etc. So the writing sessions were almost like therapy because we were so vulnerable about what was going on in our lives. In some cases that included life altering events like loved ones affected by cancer or suicide. In other cases we talked about fighting your inner demons, feeling lost, or unheard. It was special for me to write with the singers and be open about things like that because I was so tired of breakup songs and love songs, I really wanted to talk about real issues.

Man Cub: I think suffering is relative, so each song is relatable on some level. The tagline I came up with for the album is “before it gets better, it could get worse, but it gets better.”

Man Cub: Musically, I wanted each song to maintain its beauty and character even if all audio quality was lost. Or for example if you were to play my song on the piano, I wanted each song to still be pretty and recognizable. I think sometimes electronic music can get so focused on the bells and whistles that the strength of the core idea gets lost. It was a hard guideline to follow for me because you can keep adding things to a song forever. That restriction helped me to simplify things and write some really strong melodies and progressions, at least in my opinion.

Man Cub: I was also really inspired by anime and the music from anime. That’s obvious in the art direction as well as the opening track. A lot of anime has a cello playing the main theme, so I wanted “Beauty” and “Message” to be almost like character themes in a score.

2) What is the sentiment around releasing a sophomore album and how has your music evolved from your first album?

Man Cub: I think I’m getting better at not overproducing things and instead making sure the bones are good. I’m sure other producers can relate. I also really wanted to have an album with a consistent theme and art direction. That was really challenging for me because I have such broad taste. That’s why it was important for me to co-write the vocals, because even though sonically each song is different, the melodies and lyrics still sound like me. I also wanted a full body of work without any collaborations to kind of show my range as an artist. I still think I can do more, but I did my best with the time I had for this album.

3) Can you tell us about some of your biggest influences that have affected you as an artist, your sound, and/or the creation of this album?

Man Cub: My biggest inspirations for the last decade have been the obvious legends like Avicii, Porter Robinson, David Guetta, deadmau5, Skrillex, and SHM. If you are familiar with their stuff, some of them have had an obvious influence on me.

Man Cub: Joe Hisaishi who composed much of the music for the Studio Ghibli films, and Bon Iver who needs no introduction, have had more of a recent impact on my taste and music production. I know it may not be that obvious in my sound, but melodically and creatively they have been the most inspiring to me lately.

4) What would be your dream collaboration if you could choose any artist?

Man Cub: If I could pick one producer it would be Calvin Harris because almost everything he touches is iconic. If I could pick one singer it would be Chris Martin from Coldplay. You didn’t expect such basic answers did you.

5) Can you tell us about your hopes for how people will listen to Before It Gets Better and what they might experience?

Man Cub: Sentimentally, I hope people listening to Before It Gets Better will feel seen. Like they’re not alone going through whatever they are going through. I want them to feel encouraged. Musically, I hope people can get lost in it. It took a long time to make, so I hope it was worth it!

The post [Interview] Man Cub Shares About New Album appeared first on EDMTunes.

—————————–

By: Andy Bedhun
Title: [Interview] Man Cub Shares About New Album
Sourced From: www.edmtunes.com/2023/08/interview-man-cub-shares-about-new-album/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=interview-man-cub-shares-about-new-album
Published Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2023 21:03:30 +0000

Read More

Did you miss our previous article…
https://mansbrand.com/listen-plsty-unleashes-refreshing-swahili-sung-house-heater-in-your-love-featuring-sofiya-nzau/

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
Related Topics:

EDM

DJ Snake Announces Final Show At Stade De France In 2025

DJ Snake 05 834x1024 1 jpeg

DJ Snake, the legendary French DJ and music producer, has announced his final show at Stade De France on May 10, 2025. The news of his retirement is a surprise and fans worldwide are preparing to say goodbye.

Throughout his illustrious career, DJ Snake has redefined the sound and style of EDM, becoming an icon in the industry. The Pardon My French boss has inspired countless artists and has helped bring us Tchami, Malaa, Mercer, and many more.

As the world prepares for his final show, fans are already reminiscing about Snake’s unforgettable performances. From his electrifying sets at festivals like Coachella and Tomorrowland to chart-topping hits like ‘Lean On‘ and ‘Taki Taki‘.

But it’s not just his music that fans will miss. DJ Snake’s energy and charisma on stage have made him one of the most captivating performers in the world. His infectious personality and genuine love for his fans have made him beloved, and his final show promises to be a night to remember; grab tickets here.

As the date draws closer, fans can expect to see more tributes and celebrations of DJ Snake’s incredible career. From social media posts to tribute shows, the world will be saying goodbye to a true legend of EDM.

In the end, DJ Snake’s final show at Stade De France in 2025 will be a bittersweet moment. While it marks the end of an era, it’s also a chance to celebrate his legacy as of one of EDM’s most influential artists.

DJ Snake 05 834x1024 2 jpeg

Photo via Facebook: DJ Snake

The post DJ Snake Announces Final Show At Stade De France In 2025 appeared first on EDMTunes.

—————————–

By: Gabriel Krongold
Title: DJ Snake Announces Final Show At Stade De France In 2025
Sourced From: www.edmtunes.com/2023/12/dj-snake-announces-final-show/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dj-snake-announces-final-show
Published Date: Fri, 01 Dec 2023 20:51:29 +0000

Read More

Did you miss our previous article…
https://mansbrand.com/subtronics-came-out-the-gate-swinging-at-his-first-cyclops-dome/

Continue Reading

EDM

Subtronics Came Out The Gate Swinging At His First Cyclops Dome

Subtronics 5 300x200 1 jpeg

Renowned riddim maestro and internet troll, Subtronics, hosted the first annual Cyclops Dome at Tacoma Dome on November 24-25 2023.

Feeling winter cast it’s shadow on Washington state, Subtronics brought an inferno of heat to Tacoma for an extraordinary weekend of music.

With support from MARAUDA, Of The Trees, Lil Texas, Black Carl! B2B Austeria and many more, the lineup was stacked from beginning to end.

With a capacity size double that of the Hampton Coliseum, the Tacoma Dome was the perfect spot to host nearly 20,000 headbanging riddim rats throughout the two-day event.

Also home to events like Excision‘s Thunder Dome, the event venue defended its reputation as a legendary electronic venue. The Tacoma Dome is quickly becoming a bucket list venue for music lovers across the board.

Subtronics 5 300x200 2 jpeg
Photo by Rukes

The expansive layout of the venue gave room to dance and play without running into other ravers, which happens too often at indoor events.

Not to mention that Subtronics’ lasers were nothing short of mind-blowing. Every single beat drop was paired with hundreds of lights and streams of color perfectly timed to create visual and audio ecstasy.

I go to a lot of Subtronics shows and this production was one of the best I’ve seen.

The unique hypnotic visuals for the LED screens behind his decks elevated the psychedelic journey to a whole new level.

Particularly noteworthy for me, personally, were the projections of Subtronics, (real name Jesse Kardon) playing live on the display. The passion and intensity he poured into his performance enthralled the crowd, and you could see the love he has for the community written all across his face.

Subtronics 2 300x200 1 jpeg
Photo by Luis Colato

For night one, Jesse focused on showcasing his newer tunes while night two was dedicated to some iconic throwback tracks.

In a refreshing new approach, he didn’t have his typical deck-hopping ADHD style. It was really special to hear some of my favorite songs played out live in their entirety without the abrupt shifts between tracks.

The king of VIPs premiered his new Rezz collab, a “Mind Pluck” VIP, “Omnidirectional” VIP, and a MAURAUDA collab.

Jesse has a knack for creating an intimate connection with his fans; always offering something new and sneaking glimpses into what’s next from Subtronics. Cyclops Dome was no exception. From VIPs to new artist collaborations, the night was engaging and full of suspense.

Subtonics 4 300x200 1 jpeg
Photo by Luis Colato

One memory I will hold near and dear to my heart is swaying left to right with my best friends, tears in my eyes, signing “Into Pieces” at the top of my lungs just to immediately go zero to one hundred when the beat dropped.

The love from everyone in that crowd lifted my spirits and made me so grateful for the EDM community we have built for ourselves.

Cyclops Dome has become Subtronics’ new baby and it’s obvious how much time and attention he put into bringing an unforgettable night to his fans.

After the finale, the DJ announced his 2024 dates for Cyclops Dome which will occur on November 14, 15, and 16 2024. See you next year!

Featured image provided by Rukes

The post Subtronics Came Out The Gate Swinging At His First Cyclops Dome appeared first on EDM Maniac.

—————————–

By: Katie Katuscak
Title: Subtronics Came Out The Gate Swinging At His First Cyclops Dome
Sourced From: edmmaniac.com/subtronics-cyclops-dome/
Published Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2023 20:43:21 +0000

Read More

Did you miss our previous article…
https://mansbrand.com/asot-unveils-full-destination-rotterdam-lineup/

Continue Reading

EDM

ASOT Unveils Full ‘DESTINATION’ Rotterdam Lineup

ASOT 2024 Full Lineup Socials Square 1080x1080 3 1024x1024 1 jpg

After lifting the tip of the veil on the line-up during Amsterdam Dance Event, A State of Trance has now revealed all of the performing acts at its inaugural edition in Rotterdam, ‘DESTINATION‘. A staggering 57 artists have been revealed for the two-day event in February, catering to demand across the musical spectrum. 

Armin van Buuren will be performing on both Friday and Saturday, with special plans in the making for each set. Additionally, the event will see iconic Trance acts such as Cosmic Gate, John O’Callaghan and nilsix return, as well as new generations making waves within the genre by way of Ben Hemsley, Benwal and Eva Vrijdag taking the stage. A State of Trance DESTINATION will also play host to various subgenres, with Colyn, Innellea and Mees Salomé representing their ethereal sound while HI-LO, Maddix and MORTEN provide a harder alternative. Notably, NWYR — W&W’s alter ego, known for their thumping take on Trance music — will be making a comeback after a hiatus that spanned approximately five years. 

Check out the full lineup below!

ASOT 2024 Full Lineup Socials Square 1080x1080 3 1024x1024 2 jpg

With the move to Rotterdam, A State of Trance is at the dawn of a new chapter in its existence. Throughout the past two decades, van Buuren’s brand has always managed to stay relevant and the DESTINATION line-up is a testament to their capabilities. The line-up sees the return of icons of the trance scene, as well as offering a platform for the artists that are drawing in the future generation. All the while, A State of Trance continues to include alternative subgenres that seamlessly connect with the core of the brand.

1737 42f3f66cbd579e7

Tickets for A State of Trance DESTINATION in Rotterdam are available via the official website of the event.

Stay tuned for more news!

The post ASOT Unveils Full ‘DESTINATION’ Rotterdam Lineup appeared first on EDMTunes.

—————————–

By: Alex Belisle
Title: ASOT Unveils Full ‘DESTINATION’ Rotterdam Lineup
Sourced From: www.edmtunes.com/2023/12/asot-destination-rotterdam-lineup/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=asot-destination-rotterdam-lineup
Published Date: Fri, 01 Dec 2023 11:45:53 +0000

Read More

Did you miss our previous article…
https://mansbrand.com/three-upcoming-artists-who-are-pushing-the-boundaries-at-area15/

Continue Reading

Trending