By: Staff
Gabrielle Manna Releases Emotionally Charged Single 'Clown Song,' Blending Modern Folk Pop with 70s Folk Rock Vibes"
Let's dive into Gabrielle Manna’s "Clown Song," because it's an absolute gem! From the very first note, her powerful vocal delivery, complemented by lush orchestral harmonies, grabs your attention and refuses to let go. Utilizing her vocals like an instrument, you will be hypnotized by this incredible vocalist. Her voice is both haunting and warm, drawing listeners into the emotional core of the song. The control and subtle nuances in her tone highlight her unique ability to convey deep emotion effortlessly. Additionally, the twirling acoustic guitars are a perfect accompaniment to the artist's vocal performance. We especially loved how this artist was able to convey such a big and profound message so quickly and clearly, and we truly felt the angst in their emotional display, particularly in the lyrics:
“like I don’t have a life to live,”
Which was beautifully delivered. The song showcases tremendous power and control with sustained energy. What we love most about this track is its general simplicity, layered with Gabrielle Manna’s energy and the emotional depth conveyed in both the lyrics and the vocal delivery. There is no moment or sensation of Gabrielle Manna holding back; there is a confidence that commands so much presence you will love every moment. This is a standout quality, and we feel it’s going to propel the artist to incredible heights in the music industry. Our second favorite part of this song is:
“guess that’s one way to put it,”
Followed by the acoustic guitar with bass-like tones, which is truly a home run. When you finally hear:
“you’re still a clown,”
You’ll know this artist has a tremendous future ahead and will captivate crowds in any live environment. There’s no way you won’t want to sing along.
You can find this on any major platform; see below for links to take you straight to some of the profiles.
From the artist: “Clown Song” draws inspiration from the tragic opera Pagliacci, portraying the ex-lover as a sorrowful clown. The juxtaposition of humor and sadness is deeply personal, reflecting a moment when I witnessed a loved one sobbing in front of Pagliacci and declaring, "I feel like the clown." This poignant memory adds a layer of vulnerability to the song.
Make sure to add it to your playlists, stream, and share Gabrielle Manna’s “Clown Song” today.
Wait….. there's more!
We caught up with this exciting artist, for an interview in “The Cage” Music Blog, to talk about music and learn more about them.
Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview
Hello Gabrielle Manna, we’re thrilled to have you for this interview. We've enjoyed diving into your music and learning about your work, but we're eager to discover even more about you personally and professionally.
Is there a story behind how you chose your artist name?
Nope, it's my actual name, I'm boring. Because I am an actress as well and don't use a stage name, I wanted to just use my name so I don't use a stage name! I have been acting under my given name for years and I wanted my music and acting to all come from the same name. I also feel like since my music is so personal to me and my life experiences, it just made sense to use my real name.
What are the main challenges you face as a solo artist, and how do the benefits of working independently compare?
While I am a "solo artist," I worked very closely with my collaborator and producer Alex Houton. I've been writing music for as long as I can remember but he reached out to me in January 2023 to collaborate, he really showed me the ropes of recording and production and helped me to dip my toes into the industry. I come from the acting world which is very different, because I've never had to produce anything myself. So it was a steep learning curve. I think thanks to Alex's guidance I'm ready to do it on my own next time.
How long have you been making music?
I have been writing songs that never saw the light of day since I was a child, but only started entertaining the thought of actually releasing them in 2023.
Was there always a desire to create music, or did you have an event in your life that made you realize this is what you want to do as a profession?
I always wanted to be a singer as a kid but I ended up getting more into acting. It's only very recently that I realized I might be able to do both. I also studied writing in college but focused more on playwriting and fiction writing. I think writing and releasing music always felt oddly more vulnerable to me than releasing other kinds of writing or acting out someone else's words onstage/screen. I was scared of that for a long time but Alex reaching out to me was the final push I needed to finally release some of my own music.
What emotion do you feel inspires your desire to start a project, ie sadness, worry, happiness etc.?
I think all emotions inspire artists but definitely grief and sadness are powerful emotions that I have always used writing and self-expression to release. I also think reflection is a great source of inspiration -- looking back on situations where I felt a lack of control or that I'd been wronged somehow, but from a more empowered perspective.
Can you walk us through your songwriting process, i.e. where you like to be when you write, and where the inspiration comes from for this latest project?
In terms of the music itself, I tend to have music or inspiration 'come' to me when I'm near water, usually in the shower. I always hum to myself when doing the dishes, or when coming out of a meditation. Melodies really come to me out of nowhere, usually a chorus with a few lyrics attached to them, and then I need to write them down so I don't forget. I will then usually spend a day or two refining the chorus and figuring out the story I want to tell with it.
In terms of storytelling, the four songs I am currently in the process of releasing are very much a reflection/ commentary on four different 'stages' of healing from a personal trauma. I was inspired a lot by my own healing and would often write coming out of therapy sessions, or like I said earlier after coming out of meditations.
Can you describe to us the theme for your artwork and what was the inspiration and intention for the observer to absorb from it?
I really just wanted it to be funny. I had always envisioned myself in a clown nose or some sort of circus attire (I think the song title itself just naturally lends itself to a lot of imagery). It was always important that I'm the one wearing the clown nose, even though the song is calling someone else a clown. Basically, I am the pot calling the kettle black, and I wanted to be a little self aware about that.
What instrument do you use as the foundation to start your musical creations with?
I'm primarily a vocalist, having been a choir kid and then took private lessons in college. I am also a horrible guitarist, currently trying to improve my skills. I didn't play on the tracks but I'm hoping to play on my next releases, as well as to improve my piano skills (I know a little bit from general music theory). I definitely see myself as more of a lyricist and a singer than a great musician. I'm hoping to improve those skills and gain more general production knowledge to merge all of my skills.
What has been the most motivating force in creating your music?
My inner child :-)
Which of your already released songs is the most important to you, or had the most impact on your life or career and can you tell us why?
I think Clown Song is more self-reflective than Call Out Post, and is a little bit more aggressive and honest, so I'd say it had the most impact. I have had people who believe the song is about them get mad at me for it, so that's gotta say something!
Where do you see your sound and artistry heading in the future? Are there any exciting new directions you're exploring?
I see myself going down more of a pop rock route, and ideally less depressing.
Tell us about the last time you performed. Where was the show, and what was your experience like?
I'm primarily an actress and haven't performed my own music live yet, so the last time I performed was on a film that I can't really say anything about. But I had a lot of fun and danced a lot and met a lot of amazing people.
Was there ever a time when you emotionally felt, “I can’t do this anymore”? Can you tell us why this happened and how you found the strength to continue?
Not in music, but there have definitely been times when I considered stopping acting or performing in general. Looking back on everything I've done since then, and all the joy I have gotten out of performing, I think it would have been the biggest mistake of my life.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Lean into discomfort, don't run from it.
What is your favorite song to cover?
Anything Stevie Nicks, I adore her
What is your favorite quote?
I don't know if this is really a 'quote' or where I heard this from, but my mantra is: "Respond, don't react."
If you could go on any late-night talk show, which would it be? And based on present life, what would be the topic of discussion?
The Tonight Show because I love Jimmy Fallon. I think we have similar senses of humor.
As humans, we should strive to perform acts of selflessness daily, and many do. Once your artistry has achieved widespread recognition, how would you use your influential voice to make a bigger positive impact on the world?
I want my music itself to empower women to use their own voices and express themselves more authentically, just as I use my own music as a way to refine my own voice and express my own authenticity. Music is very healing for me so I would love for my music to help people with their own healing journeys.
Widespread recognition feels so far off at this point, I haven't really thought about what exactly I would do, but I would also love to give back to the LGBTQ community.
End Interview
We’re thrilled to have shared this artist's exciting journey with you and to have uncovered such inspiring details about them.
Now click the links below to experience their incredible work firsthand
Check out this latest release and listen to more of Gabrielle Manna on Spotify & YouTube.
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