MANTi, a talented DJ and producer from Tehran, Iran, has established her unique style through immersive education in Music Production & Sound Design at Point Blank Los Angeles. Her musical journey is characterized by deep, melodic, and atmospheric compositions, featuring resonant basslines and vibrant synths.
Photo credit: MANTi – Official
Throughout her career, MANTi has had the privilege of performing alongside renowned artists such as Cirez D, Adriatique, Mathame, Kevin de Vries, Woo York, and others. In 2022, she gained widespread recognition with exceptional releases on Sequence Music, Pursuit, and Us & Them records, including her acclaimed EP ‘Departed’ which received support from Tale Of Us.
Recently, MANTi released her highly anticipated ‘Lose Yourself’ EP via LSF21+. In an exclusive interview with EG, the artist shares insights about her latest release and future plans, providing further depth to her artistic journey.
EG: Hi, Mana! Welcome to EG. It’s a pleasure to have you here with us. How have you been? Where are you right now?
MANTi: Hey guys! The pleasure is mine. I’m currently in Florence, Italy, enjoying some time off.
EG: First of all, congratulations on the release of your brand new EP on LSF21+, ‘Lose Yourself’! You must be excited to finally share this one. What has the initial reception been like so far? Do you remember the first time you played these cuts live? (If you have).
MANTi: Thank you! I am super excited for this release and can’t wait to share it with everyone. Both tracks on this EP are ethereal and deep, which is what I love. The first time I played the tracks was at a show we did with andhim back in April in Los Angeles. I closed my set with ‘Lose Myself’, and the crowd loved it.
EG: So, what’s ‘Lose Yourself’ all about? Is there an inspirational trigger driving ‘Lose Yourself’? What can your fans find here?
MANTi: ‘Lose Yourself’, as the title suggests, is about the concept of letting go and delving into the realm of your thoughts and dreams without constraints.
EG: The b-side, ‘Distant, Yet Connected’, feels like a highly personal title. How do you translate a feeling as powerful as this one into music? What’s that process like for you?
MANTi: Creating ‘Distant, Yet Connected’ was quite a personal and introspective journey for me. This track is about the duality of emotions, the feeling of being physically distant yet emotionally connected. Translating this into music involved a deeply intuitive process. I began by exploring melodies that resonated with the emotional core of the concept, allowing the music to evolve organically.
“I began by exploring melodies that resonated with the emotional core of the concept, allowing the music to evolve organically”
EG: You were born in Tehran, but now live in Los Angeles. When did the move come about? Was it motivated by music?
MANTi: I moved to the US in 2009, but back then I was living in the Bay Area/San Francisco. It was not until November 2014 that I moved to Los Angeles. My move was not motivated by music. Back then, I wasn’t even considering a music career. I was a Management Consultant, traveling for work every week, Monday through Thursday. I wasn’t happy in San Francisco due to the high cost of living, bad weather, and other reasons that motivated me to move to LA.
EG: Does Iranian music and its culture seep into your music? If so, in what ways? What was your musical upbringing like?
MANTi: Iranian music certainly influences my musical expression. Growing up surrounded by the vibrant sounds of Iranian music, I developed a deep appreciation for its intricate melodies and rhythmic patterns. My musical upbringing was diverse, with a fusion of Iranian music and Western sound (i.e., pop, rock, hip hop, and rap). This mix shaped my perspective on music and created the desire to blend cultural influences in my sound.
EG: Now, speaking about live events… How do you feel about the rise of these huge LED screens and cinematic visuals? Do they enhance the narrative, or are they just taking too much attention away from the music?
MANTi: Visuals can certainly enhance the narrative of a performance, creating a multisensory experience for the audience. It’s like adding an extra layer to the sonic journey, allowing for a more immersive and impactful connection with the music. As an artist, I appreciate the potential for these visual elements to elevate the live experience, enriching the storytelling aspect of the performance without detracting from the music.
EG: The incorporation of AI in electronic music seems to be on the rise, whether it is in the music, the album covers, or beyond. Do you have a particular stance on this?
MANTi: Personally, I see AI as a powerful tool that can complement creativity rather than replace it. It opens new avenues for experimentation and collaboration, allowing artists to explore uncharted territories. While the human touch remains irreplaceable in the emotional depth of music, AI adds a layer of complexity and unpredictability that is super exciting!
“Iranian music certainly influences my musical expression”
EG: Finally, can you provide some insights into what’s next for MANTi? What’s in store for 2024? Where can your fans catch you next?
MANTi: More music, and lots of new releases! I’m also working on booking some shows in Europe in 2024.
EG: Thank you so much for your time, Mana! We wish you all the best for the future. Take care!
MANTi: Thank you, guys!
MANTi’s ‘Lose Yourself’ EP is out now via LSF21+. Download here.
Follow MANTi: Spotify | Soundcloud | Instagram
