Breaking away from the conventional boxes of genres, Mandy Can crafts immersive soundscapes by blending rock, soul, funk, and electronica. From growing up in Bengaluru’s vibrant music culture, his journey is shaped not just by formal education in Music Technology and Sonic Arts but also by influences such as Bonobo and Deadmau5. With his latest release, “Offline”, making waves, Mandy Can is a singer, songwriter, producer, screen composer, sound recordist, and performer from India. In an exclusive interview with The Skadoosh, Mandy Can shared his journey with us!
What drives you to explore music through multiple roles- singer, songwriter, producer, and more?
I think each role I was introduced to was like finding a new piece of a jigsaw puzzle - putting one and two together and finally seeing the big picture in the completion of a record. When I was younger, I used to think of it as a hierarchy of decision-making, passed down the line of command from producers to artists or vice-versa. Delving into multiple roles made me realise that true collaboration meant that no matter what role you played on a project, we were all serving something bigger than any one individual: the music itself. I'm driven by the chance to do this on every single musical endeavour I take on!
Does having a degree in Music Technology and Sonic Arts help you with the creation process of your music?
It certainly gave me a better way of understanding and articulating my ideas, but I feel like there are people who don't have a degree and are miles ahead of me as producers. The access to information is at an all-time high, and I honestly think that online music education of all sorts is so readily available. My degree helped me connect with the artists I wanted to work with more than giving me the hard skills or a creative edge. Most of what I learnt over four years of study is probably a one-hour YouTube watch now, but I would've missed out on meeting the artists I work with now if I had never left my room.
What artists have been the influential force behind your electronic sound?
My gateway into this realm was the 2010s era of EDM. As a teenager in Bengaluru, you were either a metal-head or you liked Dada Life... I happen to be both of these people. I definitely had different phases, but my main influences are Bonobo, Kaytranada, Flying Lotus and Deadmau5.
To what extent does performing live impact your approach to songwriting and production?
I almost always write with the thought of "what would this sound like live", which is contrary to how I do things with MandyCan. If an idea I have sounds like it would only work on a studio recording, then I almost scrap it entirely. It's also one of the reasons I keep MandyCan and my singer/songwriter material separate. The latter is meant to be organic and almost as though I'm playing in your living room. MandyCan, however, is more synthetic, and I enjoy producing artificial soundscapes that are meant to feel immersive rather than performative.
Indian music and Electronic music styles are worlds apart. Has being from India influenced your approach musically?
I wouldn't say that Indian music styles have shaped the way I approach my music thus far, but the Indian experience definitely has. I was surrounded by musicians and producers who were as harsh a critic to you as they were to themselves. We always pushed each other to be better by the day - competitively and healthily, of course- and I feel like that's what being a creative in India is like for the most part. I'm yet to tastefully incorporate Indian music styles into my own repertoire, but I'd love to in the future if I feel like I can do it justice!
What creative passions do you engage in outside of music?
I think music might be the most creative passion I have. I'm quite into Calisthenics, and I like to think I'm expressive in the way I do combos and routines, but music is definitely where I get to show my creative side the most.
How is the music scene evolving for multiple genre artists like yourself?
I think we're finding a way to disassociate ourselves from the boxes of genres and are finding our sounds through 'moods' instead. I come from a generation of music listeners who "listen to everything", and so that supposed 'everything' goes into our music. This makes it hard (for myself especially) to identify with a single genre of music, but it's pretty easy to say "I make chill music" or "my music is edgy, yet melancholic".
What do you think is the best part about collaborating with artists?
For me, it's not knowing what the final product will be but knowing that if we're all excited by the process, it can become something incredible no matter what.
Are there any projects or collaborations in the pipeline that you’re excited about?
I've been lining things up with so many different acts that I don't know what I'm MOST excited about! There's definitely more MandyCan in the pipeline.
Your track “Offline” is creating quite a buzz. Any instances that make the track more special for you?
I love what it came to mean as the song came together. I didn't think it would become about disconnecting with the world and reconnecting with yourself until Alvina penned down the lyrics and sent me her vocal takes. It resonates so much with me, and the thought of it being out there, reaching people I don't even know, excites me!
What challenges does a multi-genre artist often face while trying to navigate the music industry?
I think the struggle lies in having a diverse/ever-changing creative vision and image. It's tricky to have a foot in one niche and dabble in another because, in the public eye, there's a fine line between being a creative chameleon and being artistically indecisive. I'm often met with apprehension when I tell people that I make Electronic music, write Acoustic-Alternative songs and play Bass in a Post-Rock/Progressive Metal band.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians looking to break into the music scene?
Surround yourself with passionate and capable musicians who have drive. No matter where you are in your journey, they will push you to be better than who you were when you started and will push you to do things you never thought you were capable of. You'll figure out what works and what doesn't through trial and error, but it all starts with the drive and energy from connecting with the right people - not necessarily the "most successful" but the right people.
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