Gary Dranow the head of Gary Dranow And The Manic Emotions shares his musical journey in a new interview. From the interview, Gary Dranow’s journey into the world of music wasn’t just a decision; it was a calling. From his early days, he felt an innate connection to melodies and rhythms, a connection that eventually led him to pursue a career in music.
Gary found himself drawn to the raw energy of rock and blues when he was growing up and he was inspired by legends like Jimi Hendrix then he immersed himself in the world of music and eventually he picked up the guitar and mastered various other instruments along the way.
But it wasn’t just about playing instruments for Gary – it was about storytelling through music. He found solace in songwriting where he uses his own life experiences to craft songs that people can relate to. This passion he got for storytelling led to the formation of his band, “Gary Dranow and The Manic Emotions.”
Gary describes his life before he discovered music as incomplete and lacked the vibrancy and expression that music brought him. It was like finding the missing piece of a puzzle, thus music transformed his world from black and white to full color.
Gary’s turning point in his musical journey came when he first heard Jimi Hendrix’s electrifying songs. From that moment on, he realized that music was not just a hobby but a path he wanted to pursue professionally.
Today, Gary finds himself in a promising position within the music industry. With hard work and dedication, he’s gaining traction, securing gigs, and building a loyal fan base. Reflecting on his journey, Gary emphasizes the importance of networking and building relationships within the industry. These connections have been instrumental in his growth and development as a musician.
Gary stays clear of conspiracy theories and navigates the challenges of cancel culture, he remains focused on his craft. With boundless creativity as his wish, he hopes to continue pushing boundaries and create music that people can relate to.
Gary remains grounded, acknowledging the occasional mishaps on stage and embracing surprises about himself and his bandmates. Gary Dranow and The Manic Emotions want to touch people’s hearts and spread their love of music around the globe with every song and performance they do.
What made you decide that music is a thing for you?
Well, you know, I’ve always felt this sort of pull towards music. Ever since I was a kid, I found
myself tapping along to tunes and humming melodies without even realising it. It’s like music
has this special way of speaking to me, you know? So, I guess you could say it’s not really a
decision I made; it’s more like music chose me. It just feels right, like it’s where I belong.
Introduce us to you all and your musical history.
I’m all about music, especially rock and blues. I’ve been a huge fan of Jimi Hendrix for as
long as I can remember, and his music really inspired me to pick up the guitar and start
playing. Over time, I’ve fallen in love with all sorts of musical instruments.
But what really gets me going is writing songs. I like to take bits and pieces from my own life
experiences and turn them into music that people can relate to. That’s why I named my band
“Gary Dranow and The Manic Emotions” – because our music captures all those highs and
lows we go through in life. So yeah, that’s a bit about me and my musical journey. Rock on!
What was life like for you before music?
Before I found music, life was kind of like a puzzle missing its most important piece. I felt a
bit lost, like something was missing. I didn’t have that spark of passion or something to truly
express myself. It was like living in black and white instead of color. But once I discovered
music, everything changed. It added melody to my days, rhythm to my steps, and passion to
my soul. It became a way for me to truly connect with myself and others in a way I never
thought possible. So yeah, before music, life was just… incomplete.
What was the first song you heard that steered you into a music path?
The first song that really got me hooked on music was by Jimi Hendrix. His music inspired
me so much! Every time I listened to one of his songs, I felt like I wanted to be a part of that
world, making music and expressing myself through it. It was like a spark that ignited my
passion for music, and from then on, I knew I wanted to pursue it as a path in my life.
Where do you feel you currently sit within the music industry?
Right now, I feel like I’m in a good spot in the music industry. I’ve been working hard to establish myself and my music, and I’m starting to see some success. I’ve been getting more
gigs, gaining followers on social media, and getting my songs played on the radio. Of
course, there’s still a long way to go, but I’m happy with the progress I’ve made so far.
What’s the biggest thing you have learned from someone else in the industry?
The biggest thing I’ve learned from someone else in the industry is the power of networking
and building relationships. Connecting with people who have experience and expertise has
taught me valuable lessons, opened doors to new opportunities, and helped me grow both
personally and professionally. Building a strong network can make a huge difference in
navigating the challenges and complexities of the industry.
Tell us Two truths and a lie about you.
Sure thing!
I used to be a professional skier. Yep, I’ve glided down some pretty gnarly slopes in my time.
I’ve just dropped some fresh beats in the EDM scene. Music is a big passion of mine!
Nah, I actually dig DJs. They bring the party to life! So, the lie is that I don’t like DJs. They’re
awesome!
If you could wish for one thing to aid your career what would it be?
If I could wish for one thing to help my career, I would wish for boundless creativity. With
endless creativity, I could come up with innovative solutions, think outside the box, and
create amazing work that would propel my career forward. It would open up countless
opportunities and make every project exciting and fulfilling.
Do you ever worry about people taking things the wrong way or cancel culture?
Discuss….
Well, sometimes I do worry about people misinterpreting what I say or do. It’s like walking on
eggshells sometimes, you know? With the culture around, it feels like one wrong move and
boom! People might just start criticising or even boycotting you. It’s tough because
everyone’s so quick to judge these days. But I try to be mindful of what I say and do, and I
hope people understand my intentions. It’s just important to be respectful and think before
speaking or acting, I guess.
Do you sign up to any conspiracy theories? If not, why not?
No, I don’t buy into any conspiracy theories. They’re like stories people make up without real
evidence. I prefer to believe in things that are backed up by facts and proof. Conspiracy
theories can be entertaining to hear about, but I like to stick to what I can actually trust.
What was the worst experience on stage?
Well, thankfully, I haven’t had any really terrible experiences on stage. But there was this one
time that sticks out in my mind. My team and I were putting on a great performance, and we
had everything planned perfectly. We even set up cameras to capture the moment and share
it on our social media. But guess what? We forgot to press the record button! It was a bit
embarrassing, but looking back, it’s pretty funny. We all had a good laugh about it afterward.
Tell us something about you / each member that you think people would be surprised about.
Well, something you might not know about me is that when I was in my early 20s, I served
as a soldier and fought for our country. It was a challenging and eye-opening experience that
shaped who I am today.
What are the next steps you plan to take as a band to reach the next level?
Well, first off, we’re gonna keep practising hard and getting better at our music. We’ll also
start looking for more gigs to play at, maybe even try to get into some bigger venues. Plus,
we’ll keep writing new songs and recording them, so we can release more music and get our
name out there even more. And of course, we’ll keep connecting with our fans on social
media and trying to grow our following. Basically, we’re gonna keep working hard and
pushing ourselves to get to that next level!
We have noticed a lot of bands don’t use X (Twitter) . Why do you think that is?
Well, from what I’ve observed, many bands might not use Twitter because they feel like it’s
not the best platform for them to connect with their fans. Some bands prefer other social
media platforms like Instagram or TikTok because they’re more visual and engaging. Also,
managing multiple social media accounts can be time-consuming, so they might choose to
focus on the ones that work best for them. Ultimately, it really depends on each band’s
preferences and what they think works best for reaching their audience.
I hear you have new music, what can you tell us about it.
Oh, absolutely! I’ve got some fresh EDM tracks out there now, and they’re really something
special. I’ve been pouring my heart and soul into them. One of my favourite is called “The
Rhythm Fills My Soul.” It’s got this amazing vibe that just hooks you in. I think once you give
it a listen, you’ll feel the same way!
What was the recording process like?
Recording music is a lot of fun, but it’s also hard work. First, we pick a studio where we want
to record. Then, we set up all our instruments and microphones. We play the songs over and
over until they sound just right. Sometimes, we have to redo parts if they don’t sound good. It
can take a long time to get everything perfect. But when we’re done, it’s amazing to hear the
finished songs!
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the new tunes?
The biggest learning curve for me in writing the new tunes was probably finding the right
balance between creativity and structure. I had to learn how to express myself freely while
also making sure the songs flowed well and made sense to listeners. It took some trial and
error, but I eventually got the hang of it!
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
Well, looking back on it, I think I did a pretty good job. There are always little things I could
tweak here and there, but overall, I’m happy with how it turned out. So, no, I don’t think I
would change anything major now that it’s finished.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
Sure thing! Well, I’d just like to say that kindness goes a long way. You never know how
much a simple act of kindness can brighten someone’s day or even change their life. So,
let’s all try to spread a little more kindness wherever we go. It doesn’t take much, but it can
make a big difference.
