An interview with Manu Delago ahead of his performance at Bristol's Colston Hall on Saturday 1st April
Posted on: 30 Mar 2017World-renowned musician Manu Delago, who can often be found playing live and on record with Björk, Cinematic Orchestra and Anoushka Shankar, is performing at the Colston Hall in Bristol on Saturday (1st April).
Having previously performed in Australia and Germany, he's coming to Bristol as part of the UK leg of his 'Metromonk' Tour - before he embarks on more European dates. This Hang player, percussionist and producer was recently Grammy-nominated for his work on Shankar’s latest album and has many more projects in the pipeline.
He spoke to 365Bristol's Kelly Jobanputra...
What is about the Hang instrument that you love so much?
“The Hang is very versatile and to me it combines elements of various instruments that I had already played before like drums, marimba, piano and even electronic synth sounds.”
Your new album 'Metromonk' has been receiving some fantastic reviews. But for the people who haven't listened to it yet, how would you describe it/sum it up?
“It’s an album in two halves: one side is very atmospheric, dreamy landscapes and inspired by mountains. The other side has got more electronic beats and some little timpani features. It’s more urban I’d say.”
The single 'Freeze' was recorded in a single take and you always appear relaxed when performing - how do you stay so calm when the spotlight is on you?
“I’ve been playing music all my life and luckily it has always felt quite natural (unless it was some kind of exam).”
You're coming to Bristol on the 1st of April - have you performed here before? Visited the city in the past? What do you think of it and our music scene?
“Yes, I’ve done a few small shows in Bristol, including a great concert with Aurora orchestra at St George’s. I like the hilliness of Bristol, reminds of my home in the Alps. And of course there have been some great musicians coming out of the Bristol scene, including my recent collaborator Pete Josef.”
You have recorded with some amazing artists/groups - including Björk, Cinematic Orchestra and Anoushka Shankar - is there anyone you would love to work with that you haven't yet?
“I’ve been lucky so far, but yes definitely up for more! There are so many inspiring artists out there, too many to name them all. Some recent favorites have been Daughter, Moderat, Colin Stetson, Bon Iver, Sohn, James Blake and Petr Cech.”
What are your plans for after this tour?
“I have some serious hiking plans for the Summer but apart from that mainly more concerts and more compositions… “
Tickets for his show at Colston Hall on Saturday 1st April are priced at £10.75 and available here.
UK dates:
Mar 29 Hope & Ruin, Brighton (UK)
Mar 30 Islington Assembly Hall, London (UK)
Mar 31 St. Johns Church, Cardiff (UK)
Apr 1 Colston Hall, Bristol (UK)
Apr 3 Stables, Milton Keynes (UK)
Apr 4 Band on the Wall, Manchester (UK)
Apr 5 Hug and Pint, Glasgow (UK)
Apr 6 Turner Sims, Southampton (UK)
Watch “Freeze (Live From The Alps)” - https://youtu.be/bQ7L3lyuZ1w
Watch “A Step feat. Pete Josef” - https://youtu.be/pz3ExnOqXYA
Stream/Listen – “Freeze” single - http://bit.ly/ManuDelagoFreeze
Stream/listen - ‘Metromonk’ album - http://bit.ly/2ksDH5u
Article by:
Kelly worked as a journalist for the BBC for 12 years before she changed careers and went into the field of marketing. Having worked at BBC 6 Music for several years, she is passionate about many different genres of sound. Her other interests include theatre, comedy, books, food and days out with the family (she has a young daughter who she describes as a "whirlwind of fun.") Kelly is married to Vik who is a true Bristolian to the core! She is also studying nutritional therapy.
