Introducing...Jack McManus. See Jack McManus at his piano, and it's hard to imagine man and keyboard apart. The musical hooks fly in from all corners on his debut album, 'Either Side of Midnight', but if there's one constant it's the part played by Jack's take-everywhere upright.
It's a surprise, then, to learn most of his songs started life as melody lines worked out on a trumpet. The mad-haired 23-year-old looks an unlikely candidate for a career as a professional trumpet player, but that's the way things were heading until his demo of (brass-free) songs landed him both a publishing and record deal earlier this year.
The son of a rock & roll pyrotechnics expert from Bromley, Jack grew up listening to the likes of Elton John and Billy Joel; an un-snobby devotion to stick-in-your-head melodies is a hallmark of his song writing. Jack's talents had their first recorded outing earlier this year on Groove Armada's 'Soundboy Rock' album. He co-wrote "From The Rooftops", and a spacey version of his voice propels the finished track on its Erik Satie-ish path.
His vocals get a warmer, live-sounding treatment courtesy of producer Steve Robson on 'Either Side of Midnight' (Universal Music Record Label). It's an instantly-accessible, refreshingly "up" album, as evidenced by the joyous first single "Bang On The Piano".
Other highlights are the unashamedly beautiful "Fine Time To Lose Your Mind" with its echoes of the Eagles and Wichita Lineman, the glorious singalong "You Think I Don't Care" and the title track, which recalls the swoonsome pop of the Alessi Brothers.
Jack is playing live at:
19 February 2008 - Metro, London
26 February 2008 - Borderline, London
Download album track "Not The Hardest Part" for free on Jack's u-download page.
Jack's debut single, "Bang On The Piano" is released on Polydor Records on April 21st, 2008 with his album 'Either Side Of Midnight' to follow on April 28th.
"immaculate and impossibly catchy" - The Sunday Times, Culture
"more melodies than a melody factory working 24/7 to pump out melodies" - Guardian Unlimited, New Band of the Day
Jack McManus on Myspace
Jack McManus Official Website
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