by EJ Binns

Coming from one of San Diego’s most prominent local bands, Via Satellite, Scott Mercado has decided to take on a solo project of his own called Manuok that creates an impressive soundscape. Almost done completely on his own, its filled with everything from violins, to keyboards and wine glasses. The record should be an instant hit among Via Satellite and Album Leaf fans.

Everyone should know you are the guitarist and vocalist for Via Satellite. Manuok seems to fit in a similar style as VS. How would you say this music differs from your other band?
Manuok is different from Via Satellite in two separate ways. In recording and live performance. In recording (so far), I record all the crazy instrumentation I want in my bedroom, which is one hundred percent of what I am feeling at the moment. Ambient, industrial, folk, jazz, whatever. I end up with songs in genres way outside the present scope of Via Satellite. Additionally, the music can become extremely idiosyncratic and intricate. Too awkward to force other people to play. Live, Manuok is different for one major reason...it’s quietly un-electronic. My goal is to have a mini-classical arrangement: strings, horns, woodwinds and the like. So while Via Satellite is laptops and samplers, Manuok is piano, glockenspiel and cello.

You played all the instruments on the album (minus wine glass and violin on two songs). How long did the arranging take you to fully record, self-produce and master all yourself?
All the arrangements were done in my head when I wrote the songs, either on guitar or piano (which I was learning at the time). Luckily, with all the amazing programs out there I could record or sketch almost everything I wanted. For drums, I would just go to the garage or Sven’s studio (kaspro.com) and play the songs by memory. I would then record everything else on top in post. For some of the more sequenced material, I recorded a ton of material to a click and cut it up. I just did everything track by track. My computer has only one input anyway. But I really didn’t record and master this all myself. I had a lot of help from Sven-Erik Seaholm at Kitsch & Sync Production. He helped me record a lot of vocals, guitar and drums. He’s absolute magic. It was a great environment. I would record some stuff at his house in one session, record at home for a few months or go on tour, then come back and do some more. I am very grateful to know him as a friend and musician. I have no idea how long it took to record it. I am always recording at home. The work I did with Sven was between tours, money and work. I guess I’d say I recorded it here and there, with months in between, and with computers crashing, in a year’s time.

Singer/songwriter, self-produced musicians seem to be emerging in today’s music scene (i.e.: Bright Eyes or Badly Drawn Boy, etc.). How would it feel to be pushed into that category?
I’ll be put in one category or another. It can be really frustrating, especially when I’ve never heard music from any of the people I supposedly sound like (including the two you mentioned). But thems the rules. For example, I heard Hootie and Blowfish were first categorized as “Horrible” before people really took a listen and realized they were “Total Shit”. The whole idea of anything “Manuok” is crazy to me. I never thought it would leave my room. To have a distributed album, to be touring, getting reviews... that just blows me away.

Which is more fun/productive/creative/easier, working solo or playing with a band?
Making this album was completely natural to me. It’s like a diary. It’s actually the second record made for myself. I also recorded about 10-12 songs I didn’t put on this one. I just write and record music. Which is more fun? I like both for different reasons. Hearing your solo music played is a dream come true. But writing, arranging and playing music with other musicians is also very fulfilling. I couldn’t give up either one.

How do you pull off the live show? Do your shows mimic the record?
The live show presents aspects of the album. There’s no way we could reproduce it completely. We do the same songs with slightly different instrumentation while (hopefully) maintaining the feel, which is something I am super particular about. I am lucky enough to have some of the best musicians I know playing with me who understand where I am coming from. None of them need very much direction. They’ve heard the album, liked it, wanted to play with me and just know what to do. I am so fucking lucky. The live members are: Matt Mournian - guitarist (Goodbye Blue Monday), Brad Lee - bass, trumpet (Comfortable For You), Jeff Grasmic - drums, glockenspiel (Ex-Rochelle, Rochelle), and Jared Chilton - cello (Cello Genius). I play guitar, piano and sing.

Any plans for expanding your shows across the country?
We just got back from a two week tour with the Album Leaf and Aspects of Physics. We were spoiled rotten. I am currently looking to book a US tour as soon as possible. It’s all we want to do.

I noticed that you have a myspace.com account. What are your opinions on the mass hysteria of these online communities?
Myspace is an invaluable tool. I was skeptical at first but it has proven to be immensely useful. It’s like virtual flyering. Not only that, but you can build a rapport with your fans and fellow band folk on an international level. I love being able to talk to some kid in some random city about the venues and bands in his/her town. I’ve heard more great bands since I joined myspace then I’ve heard in many years without it.

www.manuok.com

2005 “Self-Titled” (Loud and Clear)