L4LM had the opportunity to sit down with Collin Lesko, keyboardist, sampler, and vocalist of the up-and-coming band Manitoa. The band, which defines themselves as “Tribal EarthDance RockTronica” (don’t worry, we asked him about it), has a unique and very interesting sound. You can check out their EP, Star Hoppin’, via BandCamp, or at the upcoming Rootwire Transformational Arts Festival.
Check out the interview with Collin Lesko below:
L4LM: You define your music as Tribal EarthDance RockTronica… what exactly is that?
CL: The Tribal EarthDance part comes from our desire to reconnect with the past and future, Mother Gaia and technology to help usher in what Terence McKenna referred to as the Archaic Revival, the new social paradigm based around transparency, partnership community, ecology, shamanism and the pursuit of ecstatic liberation to uplift and free the soul. Because we are a Livretronica band that loves to get deep and serious with our music, we decided to forge ahead with the Rocktronica style because that currently best describes our unique sound.
L4LM: How did you come together to create such a unique sound?
CL: Ed and I felt a void forming in the heart of the Athens music scene in the last few years, noticing a diminishing music environment while a strong community of like-minded individuals remained and continued to grow. We took it upon ourselves to put us out there so that others might benefit. I decided to learn the keys after playing trumpet the past 15 years of my life, and Ed dusted off his bass after he decided to leave his last music project and focus on Rootwire. I began learning Ableton production and writing electronic-based music while we sought out other instrumentation. DJ also dusted off his drumming skills after a long hiatus while he focused on guitar, and we finally had a core to work with to attract others. We finally coalesced into the group you see today when Eric Turner joined us on guitar and Nate Stritz on lasers, rounding out the group into a true band of brothers. To see great live music return to Athens and to see crowds of smiling faces has made any and all stress and work most certainly worth it. There’s nothing quite like playing an Athens house-party and feeling the area explode with the love of a great family like we have here in these Appalachian foothills!
L4LM: What was it like recording your Star Hoppin’ EP?
CL: Our EP recording was a learning process and an exercise in patience, as is most recording. We set up a studio in one of Ed’s downstairs bedrooms, lining the walls in sheets and blankets to dampen outside sounds, very do-it-yourself in the spirit of Athens and keeping in local and sustainable. While sometimes draining and time-consuming, it’s ultimately more rewarding to record yourself, putting your individual style and seal of approval on each take. The lessons we gleaned will be forever useful, and it helped to strengthen the songs when we were so early in our career.
L4LM: Your songs seem to take on an ethereal quality. Was that your intention in composing them, an organic result of your collaborative efforts as musicians, or both?
CL: The compositions I write have always been aimed at telling a story without words, transporting your to dreamtime alien landscapes and extra dimensions, giving wings to your imagination and launching you consciousness to the highest highs and the lowest lows to encompass the full human experience. I think our ethereal parts stand out more because the group dynamic has pushed us towards a heavier, more rock-based style, giving proper contrast between styles, and thus making each part more interesting. I wanted to originally float along in downtempo soundscapes and the group pushed for us to rock out; our meeting in the middle is the audio amalgamation you experience today, and it’s a stylistic dynamic we have grown to love.
L4LM: What can fans expect from your two sets at Rootwire Music and Arts Festival?
CL: Rootwire is the beginning of something great for Manitoa, as this is the first time we will be playing two sets, which will be completely different from each other. Thursday late-night’s set will be a more introspective, cathartic set with much to think about and experience while keeping you moving, setting the mood properly for the rest of the festival weekend. Saturday for me is truly an honor to play right after my greatest source of inspiration Simon Posford of Shpongle, so the only proper thing to do is lock the cockpit, put on your helmet and don’t look back. We have an hour-long energy-packed journey through inner and outer space planned that you don’t want to miss!
L4LM: What role do visual effects play into your performance style?
CL: We firmly believe in creating a show that captivates all the senses. To that end, we began incorporating the laser light shows designed by Nate Stritz to add a futuristic element. Next we added Scarlett Bliss on stage with us, adding her ballet and interpretative dance to infuse organic life to our music. We love having people dance and hoop on stage with us, or having friends like Lindsay Nova and Kalah Raela performing aerials and silks, seeing our music interpreted and animated as they feel it. For our Saturday night set, we are excited to have Zebbler of Zebbler Studios doing custom visuals during our set, adding a whole new layer of complexity to our music. In the next year we will also be unveiling our next visual endeavor while expanding our current laser/light show, so stay tuned!
L4LM: Less than a year together, and you’ve already played at such festivals as Rootwire and The Werk Out Music Festival. What’s next for Manitoa?
CL: Our vision is as big as our hearts, so the sky is the limit to what we have planned. We plan on continuing to revitalize the Ohio music scene as we continue to tour the MidWest, bringing new ideas and new music to beautiful places full of wonderful people. Eventually our goal is to take our project wherever the people wish to be immersed in a full-sensory experience that moves your body and mind. For now, we are thrilled to be added to more and more festivals for 2014. We enjoy the small to mid-range festivals because you feel connected with everyone rather than lost in a crowd of people. Our project was formed out of a desire for stronger community, so we love being able to walk to festival grounds and continually run into the same people, creating new relationships and connections. Although we love our home away from home the music festival scene, we can’t wait for the fall when we begin recording our first full-length album to be released later this fall.
L4LM: What’s the best way for people to discover your music?
CL: We feel the most logical way to discover Manitoa is to experience us at a live show to see and hear what we embody, combining the old world’s music and dance with the new world’s electronica and technology for the next social and musical revolution. We will be ordering another 1000 EPs soon to give away free at shows so be sure to catch us at a venue near you! If we haven’t made it to your sector of Spaceship Earth, find us on the internet through various channels for lots of free content. We want to make our music accessible for anyone, so our Star Hoppin’ EP on Bandcamp is free for download (name $0 as your price, or donate if you wish), and our live recordings on Soundcloud will always be free for download as well. We want everyone to freely experience our music because, ultimately, we wish to inspire humankind towards something better and brighter while encouraging everyone to play as hard as they work and to transform their lives into what they desire. Like is what you make it, Create Your Reality!
Entangle Minds with Manitoa here:
Bandcamp: www.manitoa.bandcamp.com
Soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/manitoa
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqs7pmRb0kLAB9Rl08IyhVw
Instagram: Manitoa
Twitter: manitoamusic
www.manitoa.com
Well there you have it. Check out Manitoa and dozens of other great performers at Rootwire Fest next weekend!
-David Melamed (@DMelamz)