w/ Canadian Country Artist '' Manny Blu''
Hosted by Kim Cyr
Presented by NOW and THEN Magazine
https://www.nowandthenmagzine.com
Music's Journey INTERVIEW w/ Canadian Country Artist ''Manny Blu'' Listen NOW!!
BLU TO CELEBRATE RELEASE WITH SOCIALLY-DISTANCED
SHOW & LIVESTREAM TONIGHT FROM NASHVILLE
STREAM ''NEW INK'' EVERYWHERE NOW
November 19, 2020 (Toronto, ON) — Although 2020 has been a year filled with unknowns, one thing Canada can be sure of is the skyrocketing trajectory of its very own Manny Blu. Over the course of the past year Blu has earned international recognition for his signature sound and, today he releases his sophomore album New Ink — a 5-track collection that delivers an edgier, matured sound from the Montreal-native.
"New Ink, sonically, was made with the intention to go back to the reason I picked up a guitar in the first place -- loud melodic guitars and big drums, with purposeful lyrics and storytelling,” said Blu of the new album. “I wanted it to be what you’re looking to play whether you are in a good or bad mood; something to blast through the speakers!”
With an amplified mix of country twang and a heavy rock & roll attitude, New Ink brings Blu’s rebellious vibe to the forefront, creating an original sound that highlights his blues and rock upbringing. Influenced by the likes of Brantley Gilbert, The Cadillac Three, and Jason Aldean, each of the 5 tracks heard on New Ink find a home in the “Outlaw Country” genre and are heavy with rock-based instrumentals. Recorded at OmniSound Studios in Nashville and produced by Aaron Eshuis, New Ink speaks directly to what Blu himself calls the “true heart” of the band’s live shows: “There’s more rock, more soul, and more volume this time around. It’s bigger and louder, but it’s still me. And more importantly, it’s still fun.”
Burnout Town
Sink
Born To Ride
Ain’t Got You
Old Money
In the lead-up to today's debut, Blu has released three tracks from New Ink including “Born to Ride,” “Old Money” and “Sink.” The most recent of the trio, “Sink,” dropped in September and is an infectious song written by Josh Osbourne, Ryan Tyndell (Eric Church, Jon Pardi) and Matt Jenkins (Kenny Chesney, Florida Georgia Line, Old Dominion), about hitting the bottom of a bottle of Jack while "watching it all go down the sink" after a difficult breakup. Despite the context of the song, “Sink” delivers a catchy country/rock sound fueled by a dynamic bass line that brings a steady groove throughout as Blu’s gritty vocals cut through with the storyline.
“Old Money,” one of Blu’s favorite tracks on the EP, came just before “Sink”. Co-written by fellow rising star Brandon Lay, with Neil Medley (Luke Bryan, Brent Cobb, Lindsay Ell) and New Ink producer Aaron Eshuis, the song perfectly suits Blu’s distinctive, gravelly voice, building on his rock-inspired sound through a storming, anthemic hook. The acoustic-led verses show he’s unafraid to embrace an early influence from blues artists like B.B. King and John Mayer, before Kristen Rogers joins him in the final chorus to drive the track home with their unique blend of vocals.
Listen to New Ink HERE
After months of remaining off the road and refraining from in-person appearances and performances, Blu celebrated the launch of New Ink with a live, in-person show at 6th & Peabody in Nashville, on November 17.
With the help of the popular music venue, Blu is excited to experience live show energy that New Ink was inspired by, saying, "I'm what some may call a 'road dog,' and I'm proud of that. I can't wait to get out on that stage and share this new music with everyone. 6th & Peabody has been amazing to work with to make sure everything goes smoothly, and everyone is safe."
When it comes to streaming, 2020 has already been a landmark year for the up-and-coming artist, with nearly 1 Million global streams to date. This year also saw Blu's breakthrough borders by building an international team (US, Canada, and the UK), leading to global recognition. He was named UK's Country Radio Hit's Champion of the Week with the release of "Old Money" and TIDAL's Rising Country Star with the release of "Sink." The pre-released tracks from the upcoming album have also landed coveted playlist spots across Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Spotify.
Blu continues to carve his own path in country music with a sound he introduced through Leave It Like It Is, his debut record (2019) that earned him thousands of new fans and presented him with the opportunity to hit the road. Last spring, Blu spent two months crossing Canada while opening for George Canyon’s “Hit After Hit Tour” and then headlined his own Canadian tour to close out the year. Earlier this spring, Blu crossed the US and Canada on another headlining tour.
''Manny Blu's new EP 'New Ink'' has 5 tracks, each bringing that vulnerable place in life about love and loss that we all can relate to. Blu brings that rebellious, edgy blues vibe with his gravelly voice and that rock & roll influence that is really hard-hitting that I love, '' says Kim Cyr, Editor in Chief for NOW and THEN Magazine.
Fans can stay up to date on news and announcements from Manny Blu and join the Blu Cru by visiting his website or following along on Instagram and Facebook.
ABOUT MANNY BLU
Manny Blu has always been a fighter. Years before he crisscrossed North America as an acclaimed country singer and a true road warrior—playing nightly shows in support of his 2019 debut album Leave It Like It Is, while also sharpening the larger-than-life sound that would fill his 2020 follow-up EP New Ink—Manny spent his days in the gym, training for a career as an MMA fighter.
Traveling often to Nashville from his hometown of Montreal, he began piecing together a new record—one that showcased the lessons he learned on the road. Working with producer Aaron Eshuis and hit songwriters like Josh Osborne, Rhett Atkins, and Ross Copperman, Manny Blu emerged from Nashville's OmniSound Studios with New Ink. From “Born To Ride” to "Sink," these new songs tell relatable stories about love, loss, breakups, and everything in between, rooted in an amplified mix of country twang and heavy rock & roll attitude.
Raised as a versatile athlete who played hockey, soccer, and football before kickstarting his MMA training at 16-years-old, Manny Blu hasn't lost that fighting spirit. If anything, he's gotten stronger, learning to roll with the punches and knock down any obstacles in his path. New Ink, with its hard-hitting hooks and country-rock edge, is the soundtrack to a career on the rise--and Manny Blu is ready to deliver a knockout blow. New Ink is available now.
Music's Journey INTERVIEW w/ Canadian Country Artist ''Manny Blu'' Listen NOW!!
Manny Blu - Born To Ride (Lyric Video)
Manny Blu - Sink (Lyric Video)
Manny Blu - Girls and Beer (Official Music Video)
Old Money
New Ink
Manny Blu - 11:59 (Official Music Video)
Manny Blu - Looking Forward to Looking Back (Live & Unplugged)
Manny Blu - Like It Like That (Official Music Video)
Music's Journey INTERVIEW w/ Canadian Country Artist ''Manny Blu'' Listen NOW!!
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