Have you ever wondered what a songwriter was thinking when they wrote a certain song? With the “inside track” it will no longer be a mystery as we speak with the musicians themselves and they give us the inside story on songs, their inspirations, the stories behind the songs and more. 

If you are like me, you are a sucker for concept albums. The heart of this series is to go deeper into the songs, and there is no more appropriate time to do so then when you are dealing with a concept album. So when it came time to select who we would feature in this go around of “Inside Track”, Los Angeles singer/songwriter/visionary Michael Mangia was an easy choice. His new CD “The Invisible Wall” embodies all of the elements that made up the landmark concept albums of the past--compelling subjects, masterful songwriting and captivating music- an album that really has something to say and a message that stays with you long after the last note has sounded. It's a provocative piece of work and Rocknworld is honored to present this edition of Inside Track where Michael Mangia takes us briefly into his world. 

Rocknworld: Your new CD, “The Invisible Wall” is intriguing, even when compared against other “concept” albums. We’ll get to the concepts in a moment, but can you tell us how the idea of doing this album came about?

Michael Mangia: It came about through music code. Literally I was playing with a bunch of ideas until the puzzle started to form itself and developed into a whole. It came about through 2 years of figuring out what it was and where the songs were coming from.

Rocknworld:  You also produced the CD. Looking back with 20/20 hindsight is there anything you would do differently?

Michael: Artists can always see what they can improve but we also have to give the creator in us a pat on the back. Sure there are a few things I would change around but for the most part I think I have interpreted this album pretty well.

Rocknworld:  Do you feel that you were better able to convey your musical message? Being totally in control of production?

Michael: Yes but in ways I learned much from others, the other musicians, engineers and other people that played a big role in helping me get this across on "tape"

Rocknworld:  What do you feel is more important in songwriting—Telling a story or hooking the listener with an unforgettable melody?

Michael: That depends on the song. I don't think the writer has a choice, the song is going to do what it wants to. Kind of like a teenager.

Rocknworld:  Your CD offers up a social commentary of sorts. So with that in mind, what’s your take on the state of the music business at the moment?

Michael: I think the large companies are in shambles and new talent for the most part won't benefit from them. I think it's a great time for independent artists. It makes the artist stronger and to also jump into a pool of marketing, a lot of artists don't like to deal with. It's time for us to get clever and creative out there.

Rocknworld:  Now we get to the heart of the matter the Inside Track. If you can walk us through each song and tell us a little bit about it?

Michael: First of all let me tell you a little about the concept of the album so you can understand the questions better. This album is about a painter and expressionist. He crawls into his own painting to find the adventure and gets lost and can't find his way out. This plays a lot with moving interior and exterior of the man's life span and the state of the world he lives in and his present moment within the image.

Arbitraries

Through the maze, this is the actual beginning of the concept of entering the frame and finding the images inside are starting to move and past and present and future are floating. This is the beginning of the confusion.

Barbie Doll

He finds his big city full of cartoon figures and personalities, some of which he had familiarity back in his own town.

Drunk

The past memories of the loving for a moment and leaving and the repetition that this creates.

Someone Who

Getting lost in the big city and becoming your surroundings and other personalities. It's the beginning of the mask. It’s the sense of self-loss.

Ticker Tape Parade

The fame and fall of an older actress who began her career with veracity and force and little by little has began playing the "others" game of fame and fortune until she faded out of the limelight and disappeared.

Like Gone

The painter’s past memories of growing up and losing his parents.

No Sign of Life

 When in his teens every girl he dated had become a lesbian. He felt like the only person left on earth. It's the loneliness of rejection and the kind of laugh at past demeanor he has about it.

Wet Dreams

Pretty visual song, deals with erotic dreams and the jealousy created by dreams.

The Invisible Wall

Title track and the heart and mind of the whole experience. The man finds his earlier existence and how he was trapped and how he got away, it's the story within a story song. Took me a lot of time to understand this song until I realized it was the story within a story and the pieces came together.

Rise & Shine

This is losing your father who was involved in a dangerous and notorious lifestyle to only find out later on you never knew him and what he did for a living. This is seeing your father through your heart and not through any of the outside world. Dad's a shooting star.

Star*boy

The life and times of an adult porn star placed in a modern stance of atmosphere and space. Ziggy meets McCartney.

Judas Valentine

This is the review song. The song where you take a good look at the past and you sit down and write a letter to yourself. Self-conversational piece.

In Your Room (Peruvian Dreams)

The darker side of the journey. Dream or realized? Losing sense of the reality once lived.  This is the song that opens the whole picture. Man in his head. Self-Insanity. The alternate place you can never get rid of once experienced. The follower.

Life Support on X-Mas

This song’s a favorite recipe of mine. I’ll leave this one for the listener…

Rocknworld:  If you only had the chance to win someone over with one song, which  one would you use or feel represents you best?

Michael: I really love the hidden track…

Rocknworld:  Much has been made of the L.A. “Loft” scene. Is there any secret to
standing out against other artists?  Is it a competitive environment or  more of a musical collective?

Michael: I feel more camaraderie than a competitive environment. I really enjoy going out to meet the artists and their works when there are open houses. I wouldn’t call it a scene though. It’s a lot slower and urban out here than say in Hollywood, puts things in perspective sometime.

Rocknworld:  What has been your proudest moment as an artist?

Michael: It’s when that song finally whispers the whole picture. I was very proud when my music got onto television. It’s a great feeling to see your work is getting out there for people to effect.

Rocknworld:  On the other side of the coin, your worst?

Michael: After September 11th I couldn’t write much until the shock and anger had found its way. Sometimes we have to go through some amazingly terrible s*** to get the gold.

Rocknworld:? Can you tell us a little bit about the guest musicians on your CD?

Michael: I’ve been playing live with them off and on for almost 4 or 5 years now. I met them through other friends who had hired them. They have so much talent the songs just get so excited when they jam with me. 

Rocknworld:  Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

Michael: BEATLES! Lennon! Tori Amos, Leonard Cohen, Bowie, Suede, Jon Brion, Elliott Smith, John Cage.

Rocknworld:  What compelled you to take up music in the first place?

Michael: My record player, little toy keyboard and big heart.

Rocknworld:  Do you have any big tour plans in the works?

Michael: Planning an East Coast tour for July.

Rocknworld:  What do you hope people take away from your music?

Michael: Life is an adventure. We need more readers. Too many people take books for granted. As children we can go into and really live in another universe. It’s still possible through books and music. Music should help make people figure out their own little mazes.

Discover "The Invisible Wall" for yourself by purchasing a copy of the CD

Visit Michael's home page to learn more
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