[Via Unscene Media]:

Yesterday I had a chance to meet up with Manny Garcia to get started on shooting photos for his newest EP called “Where I Started From”. Due to some time constraints, we decided to get the first part of the photoshoot done at the studio and save the final key shots for another time (with a bit better weather and crucial scenery). So after I was through with my video sessions for the day, the green screen came down, the backdrop went up and we started snapping.

Anyway, I managed to take a few video clips in the process to give you guys a little more of a preview while I work through more of these. Hope you guys like them – they were a blast to take and run through the good ‘ol Photoshop. Leave some love!

Hi friends!

I can’t believe it’s already been a year since “Come With Me”! I’ve got a whole bunch of new material now, backed by an incredible band–Noel Kunz on percussion, Manny De La Rosa on keys, Erick Mateo on guitar and sax, and Ben Joseph on bass.

Being an independent artist means having to do everything yourself. Besides writing and arranging all the music, I take care of production, funding, design…everything pretty much! All money I make from CD sales and shows goes right back into music–mostly into new equipment better able to handle a full-band recording setup. And even that isn’t enough, which is why I need your help!

This Kickstarter is a way of you getting involved, too! You’ve all supported me greatly over the past year, and I’d love for you to be a part of this album’s journey! From your name printed in the credits, to hearing the tracks fresh off of being recorded, to old-fashioned goodie-bags of stuff; I’d love for you to be a part of this with me!

So thank you for your contributions, and let’s make beautiful music!

A couple weeks ago, Mike from Unscene Media Group (UMG) had a chance to sit down with me and pick my brain in anticipation of my big show “Serenade” at the House of Blues in Chicago. The show takes place August 12, 2010 at 7:30pm so make sure you snag some tickets straight from ME or straight off of Ticketmaster before they’re all gone! Anyway, peep the exclusive UMG interview/photos and get hyped for the show:

UMG: So what’s the story behind Serenade?

Manny: So there was an Asian American variety show back in the 90s that used to happen every year called “Showcase” and they’re bringing it back after 10 years and calling it “Serenade”. And they are also teaming it up with the CD release of Sway Penala from American Idol season 5 and filipino boy band DNH from back in the day (and Sixth Day). So it’s kind of combining the two events into one called “Serenade”. [head nodding]

UMG: And when is it?

Manny: [slight hesitation] Haha, it’s Thursday, August 12th at the House of Blues Chicago.

UMG: Cool! And who’s actually playing?

Manny: Sway Penala of course…we have IBU, Ashlee Barrera, Francis Perfecto and the RisQ, and a bunch of others. And myself…the first time with the Manny Garcia Band which should be pretty awesome.

UMG: Who’s your favorite artist in the lineup?

Manny: [Deep in thought] Ummmmm…I don’t know. I think it should be interesting to see…I know Sway wants to collab with a lot of the artists (locally). So I think he’s going to do something with IBU for sure. I think that should be interesting since they’re both from the Filipino boy band hay day so seeing them collab on something should be pretty awesome.

UMG: So what does Sway mean to you then?

Manny: I think Sway is an important figure for AAs just because he was one of the earlier ones out there as a part of DNH and Sixth Day. You know, we grew up listening to them in middle school so they for sure helped paved the way for what Filipino American and Asian American artists are doing today.

UMG: I can definitely see that. So what should people going to the concert expect?

Manny: [smiles] I don’t know…it’s going to be an AWESOME show. I mean Sway is coming all the way from California…you have IBU of course. And I’m really excited to be performing with the band. It should be pretty cool, we’ve been rehearsing a lot…and we’ve got a great vibe going on. We’re really excited for you guys to hear what we’ve got.

UMG: Are you playing any new songs?

Manny: Well, I’m playing songs that I haven’t played before…because now I have a band. So, things that I couldn’t do before (just solo with my keyboard), I can do now. So expect to hear some stuff that you haven’t heard live before. [head nodding]

UMG: I think you should spill the beans for all the fans out there…any special guests coming to the show?

Manny: YES, but I don’t know…I think they’re actually a surprise, so they haven’t released who the guests are…yet. [smirk]

UMG: What’s a typical practice like for you and your band?

Manny: Well we have an interesting situation – there’s 4 of us total…two of us in Chicago and two of us in Indianapolis, so we’re about three hours apart. So what we do is we practice in pairs…and then we come together. The first time we came together it was pretty awesome – we had this crazy groove, this awesome vibe. And it really helps when all your personalities go really well together. It was as if we’ve been friends for a really long time, so that definitely helps in the music making process too. But I don’t know…practice doesn’t feel like practice. It just feels like jamming.

We’ll get side-tracked lots of the time and just end up writing a song or just coming up with a cool, new groove. So I don’t know, it’s really cool to work with this caliber of musicians because you all just kind of feed off each other and become better in just being together.

UMG: That’s awesome! What’s the next project you (and your band) want to get involved with?

Manny: I don’t know. There’s a lot in store for the band right now. Lots of potential bookings…[plane interrupts]…all the hype is crazy even before the show. So the band is really my focus right now, so hopefully we’ll see you soon in your own city!