I recently had the opportunity to check out MNERVA’s song Love Song, and I really enjoyed it. I jumped at the chance to check out another amazing track called Invincible, making me want to conduct an interview with this artist. You can find out more about MNERVA here:
By Jane Howkins
You recently released a single titled Invincible. What can you tell us about the track?
Invincible is my motivational stadium anthem and the focus track of my current era of artist branding. I’ve based all of my visuals off of the lyric, “there’s a fire in my soul,” and it’s one of the few positive songs I’ve ever written as MNERVA. I wrote the verses after starting therapy for the first time and discovering that I was always getting in my own way as a person. Once I started shifting my mindset and changing my toxic behaviors, for the first time ever, I felt like I could do anything. I wanted to capture that often fleeting moment of feeling unstoppable in a song.
How has the reception to Invincible been so far, and where can the song be purchased?
Invincible is always a highlight of my live show and is by far one of the most important songs in my catalogue. I am so happy people can finally hear it everywhere now!
I’ve been playing Invincible live for over a year now and it’s always been a fan favourite. So far people are enjoying the recording just as much as the live version and I couldn’t be happier! You can purchase it on iTunes and stream it on all major streaming platforms now!
Do you plan to release any more singles in the near future?
I am currently getting ready to re-release my old single, Stuck, and this time, I’m going to make it an alternative rock song rather than a hip-hop track. I am also getting ready to release a remix of my most popular song, Sorry (Forget About Me), with ace producer Matty Beats and the 808 rock artist, Allistair. Finally I will be dropping an acoustic version of my EP, Invincible, later this year called Fragile. The project will have a different artist feature on every song and will re-imagine the record as a symphonic rock piece. It’s by far the most ambitious thing record I’ve dropped yet and I couldn’t be more excited for people to hear it.
Do you plan to release an EP or an album anytime soon?
My sophomore EP, Invincible, dropped on February 24th and Fragile will drop later this year. From there I am in the process of recording my debut album, From Beginning To End, and I’m hoping to put it out next year. It’s going to be a pop-punk musical detailing my last relationship and I truly think it will be my best work once it’s finished!
Your music has an alt rock/pop sound. What/who influences you most as an artist? What have you been listening to recently?
My favorite artist and biggest influence is definitely Linkin Park, but I’m also a massive twenty one pilots, Papa Roach, NF, Logic and Bring Me The Horizon fan. Recently, I’ve been listening to a lot of Nas and other 90s hip-hop pioneers, as well as a bunch of Deftones, Of Mice And Men, Bilmuri, Marianas Trench and Sum 41.
What do you think is the biggest challenge in the music business at the moment?
I am absolutely enamored with the similar energies of rock and hip-hop and I find combining them in new ways to be my favorite challenge as an artist.
In my opinion, the independent music revolution of the last decade has been a double edged sword. Although I am so thankful that I am able to easily record and release my own music, the market is now completely oversaturated with new material and it makes it very difficult for artists to find their place in the now exceptionally vast sea of music. Also, social media was never my forte growing up and I find it quite difficult to quickly adapt to new platforms and trends as they develop overnight.
Do you have any other side projects on the go?
In addition to fronting MNERVA, I also play drums for many artists in Nashville such as Davvn, Maggie Miles, Katie MAC, Thank Me Later, Stoney T, CYPRSS and Kory Shore. Also, for the last three years, I have been writing an alt rock and hip-hop musical titled, What’s Written, and I’m only three songs away from finishing the first draft of the show! Over time, MNERVA has embraced more and more of my theatre influence and I suspect that two sides of my creativity will soon sound very similar.
Where are you based? How is the music scene faring at the moment?
I’m currently based in Nashville, TN and the alternative scene here is fantastic. It’s definitely small but the scene has slowly developed a very cohesive sound and incredible artists such as John Harvie, Knox, Anastasia Elliott and Charlotte Sands have definitely helped the music scene get more attention across the world. In five years, I truly believe that Nashville will be a capital for rock and alternative music and I’m proud to be one of the artists who is currently paving the way.
Do you have any tour dates lined up for the UK?
Sadly, I do not have any tour dates lined up for the UK, but I will absolutely jump at the first chance I get to play out there – I’ve always dreamed of traveling across Europe playing my own music. One day, I know it’ll happen!
Any last words for the fans?
To anyone who is struggling to find their place in the world and feels like giving up, please just remember that “it’ll get better than this.” Five years ago, I was at one of the lowest points of my life but I made it out and I know you will too. Thank you so much listening to my music.