About Andrew

Andrew Mancilla

Andrew Mancilla’s muse is restless, and his talent prodigious. The constant for his fans is: Expect the unexpected. The singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist’s catalog fishtails through high-concept, multi-genre rock-opera; vintage crooner pop; smart piano-driven rock; and urgent alt-rock, among other twists, sometimes on the same album.

Since 2010, Andrew has released three wildly distinct solo albums. Signature to his oeuvre is a cinematic touch.  In place of confessional songwriting and autobiographical narratives, he casts characters into scenes that enable him to explore psyches and emotions. Fodder for these engrossing sonic vignettes are sensual encounters, day-to-day struggles, and harrowing narratives culled from his work as a federal court lawyer. He employs genres much like directors utilize movie sets—fastidiously creating that perfect backdrop for that one film, and then shifting to a different period-piece approach for the next film.

Interestingly enough, a pre-fame Lady Gaga was a creative catalyst for Andrew. Despite showing promise early on as an adept multi-instrumentalist, versatile and competent on trumpet, piano, and guitar, he lacked focus and discipline. The pair casually worked together while attending NYU. “During college, I was floating, searching for what I wanted to do. She had her stuff together and it inspired me,” Andrew recalls.

After a brief self-imposed retreat from music, Andrew harnessed the energy of those formative college moments while in law school. He emerged with his debut, Static, co-produced by Michael League from Snarky Puppy (the intrepid jazz-fusion pop collective of all-star musicians who have performed with Erykah Badu, Justin Timberlake, Roy Hargrove, and Snoop Dogg, among many others). That was 2010, and, since then, Andrew has gigged throughout New York City, found success as a powerhouse attorney, and released a clutch of diverse singles, including the imaginative sophomore album, The Artist, produced by Grammy-award winner Dominic Fallacaro. The Artist is a white-knuckle ride of an album themed around a mob hit man who gets arrested, testifies against the mob, and slips into a witness protection program. 

In 2017 Andrew released Subtractive Color, a heady mix of pheromones, cocktails, and infectious beats that envelope you in a dance club. His seductively soulful falsetto leads the charge through a sweetly hedonistic fantasyland. “Ultimately, this record is about fun, love, and youthful excitement,” he shares. The 10-track album bursts open with, “Rewire,” an intoxicating slice of sleek R&B about those epiphanic escapades that permanently alter your sexual circuitry. Other standouts in include “It Wasn’t Me,” “Tell Her,” and “I can’t Believe Her.” The silken slow-burn jam, “It Wasn’t Me,” the album’s leadoff single, features hip-hop artist Decora whose vocals bring a steamy vulnerability to the song’s engrossing narrative. “I Can’t Believe Her” is a retro-futuristic delight that hits that sweet spot between the Jackson 5 and Justin Timberlake.

With “Yes And..”, Andrew’s upcoming 2024 release, he partners with Decora and producer Joey Auch. The first single “Lasso The Moon”, released on January 5, 2024, is a heartfelt narrative told through a fusion of familiar pop melodies and clean hip-hop. The track stands out with poignant lyrics that weave a compelling story of two individuals struggling with loneliness and lack of meaning coupled with a melodic injection of hope for freedom, belonging, and companionship. Decora’s hip-hop is reminiscent of Andre 3000 and Joey Bada$$ and Andrew’s choruses carry a nostalgic nod to Fleetwood Mac, setting a familiar yet fresh tone. The song opens with a vivid picture of a man's struggle with loneliness and alcohol-related depression, highlighting his isolation with “his heart singing ballads, but his mind can’t speak.” The chorus’ double entendre "free, falling" juxtaposes the possibility of freedom with the reality of losing control. The melodic hook is infectious and carries a nostalgic nod to Fleetwood Mac, setting a familiar yet fresh tone. The line "I'll lasso the moon let’s go" is an offer of hope and companionship. The second verse shifts to a woman's perspective, which mirrors this sentiment of disconnection -  going through the motions without forming meaningful connections - highlighting modern society's dilemma of superficiality.  The subtle reference to digital age scenarios like online dating ("Date after date, it’s just all the same") grounds the song in relatable contemporary experiences.

Finally, the bridge offers a turning point, where self-reflection and the acknowledgment of inner struggles lead to a moment of clarity. It possesses a concentrated burst of lyrical and rhythmic brilliance pairing profound introspection, lyrically painted with lines like “catching rebounds on my chest” and “when you get hard news to swallow it’s hard to digest”. Decora’s syncopation culminates in a message of resilience - "Lasso the moon and get soul off the ground” – the essence of the song’s uplifting meaning.

Tracks

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