We sat down in the studio with Erica Mantone for our podcast episode #2. Erica is a Boston based singer/songwriter and is releasing her first album titled, "I May Have Asked For This" on May 10. She has an album release party on May 14th, 7 pm, at The Burren in Somerville (for tickets). Erica will be performing with the Henley Row All Stars. Also appearing that night will be Other Brother Darryl.
Boston Music Award nominee for “Session Musician of the Year” in 2019, 2020, and 2021, Erica Mantone has made her mark in the New England music scene, lending her vocals both in the studio and on stage to such local favorites as Buffalo Tom, Will Dailey, Parlour Bells, and Magen Tracy & The Missed Connections. Mantone’s ability to adapt to a wide variety of genres has garnered her comparisons to the powerful voices of Merry Clayton, Brandi Carlile, and Chaka Khan as well as the softer, sweeter tones of Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt.
Erica was a treat to interview, you instantly know she has a great personality. Smart, funny, confident and obviously very creative she offers great insight into her body of work. She is honest and candid about life and what brought her to this point in her career. We walked through her inspirations, creative process and her aspirations (which does not infer that there will be a second EP in the offering). Along with her work as a session musician, Erica has produced shows for the Boston Rock Opera amongst others.
She describes her debut album as "Noir Americana" and a historic walk through relationships. The song "Miss Me Too" is a duet with Nate Leavitt, written and performed by Erica, Nate and Dan Nicklin, it is a hauntingly reflective, sad ballad that has a beautiful soulful tone. The six song EP is also produced by Dan Nicklin and Nate Leavitt of Henley Row Productions.
We here at Musicians and Beyond Podcast are so grateful that Erica stepped out from the shadows and into the spotlight. She brings a great energy and a strong soul to the stage and her music. We look forward to following her journey and hope you will too! You can see and hear more from her at her website and please follow her socials and buy her music.
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