Step into the crimson limelight, embrace the heavy dark vibrations and transcend yourself through the deep lyricism Mantra Sounds displays with her third EP, Seeing Red, which will be released on December 1st. The uprising artists, from performing throughout the festival circuit and getting massive opportunities with the Pretty Lights team, continue to shine through the dark elements. Mantra Sounds showcases a sense of healing that comes from the pain we carry inside and allows you to find your confidence again through Seeing Red. And afterward, stick around for the exclusive interview with Mantra Sounds!
“No matter how well you show up for yourself and others, it doesn’t mean it’s going to be enough for everyone. Check in with yourself frequently. When it comes to the weight you hold, it’s important to forgive yourself and others for the pain you carry. You know who the f*ck you are, so flex like you do.”
Mantra Sounds
No need to worry about Seeing Red when you are with Mantra Sounds!
Naturally, there is already a predisposition to what comes to your head when hearing the phrase “seeing red,” and Mantra Sounds immediately shifts those notions with her latest EP. Immediately, Mantra Sounds immerses us in the ominous soundscapes and eerie undertones as we wander through the environment she crafted for us to explore. “Psychosis” launches us with a rush of energetic forces through the hypnotic production. Through the sinister bounces, we hear the confident vocals from Mantra Sounds, as you can hear the underlying message she is speaking loud to us. “Stuck in psychosis on rewind, back in my bag, enjoying my me time,” vibrating through the walls as we begin to feel a sense of empowerment from the environment.
While we continue to linger through the shadowy environment, we feel the pulsating pressure of the outside try to swarm in on us. In the distance, we hear the haunting echoes call out for us to fall into this hallucination. As we allow the atmosphere to engulf us, we float through the heavy murmurs and hear Mantra Sounds’ voice, signaling us to detach from the past. “Target Practice” gives us the chance to remove ourselves from the anguish and bitterness that lingers from dwelling on toxicity that stays in our memories.
Then, we hit a sense of clarity and liberation from all the shadows with “Exodus.“ A different change of pace with Mantra Sounds as she teams up with McWavy to bring some serenity to our new lives. Through the whimsical and soft melodies in the background, Mantra Sounds reminds us that everything is okay through all the darkness. Sometimes, we have to let go and show up for ourselves instead of others. Nevertheless, the outro becomes an elegant way to tie the newfound confidence we see throughout Seeing Red from Mantra Sounds.
seradopa: How surreal has it been for you to see the growth of yourself and who you have become since you first started Mantra Sounds?
Mantra Sounds: It’s honestly been amazing! The first couple of years are always super slow. You are just starting to produce, and you don’t know how to go about things since you’re learning along the way. The past two or three years have been really rewarding! I feel like I can see the changes now. As I look back, there have been a few moments – a few shows and people I’ve met where you have those realization moments like, “Oh my god, I dreamed of this five years ago.”
So that’s been really nice! After this past weekend [at the Caverns], I had a few friends with me who have been there since the jump! And they were reminiscing on my first show in Long Island at this dive bar patio. I’m pretty sure I got $5 per head who came and said my name at the door. Looking back on that, and playing on the patio, bringing my own gear and speakers, compared to this past weekend, is phenomenal. It’s really humbling!
seradopa: Recently, you’ve been heavily involved in the comeback of Pretty Lights and performing all these afters along with the lineup for The Caverns stop. For yourself, what emotions and thoughts were running through your head being a part of these lineups?
Mantra Sounds: Honestly, confused! My music is nowhere near in the same realm as Pretty Lights. If a Pretty Lights fan heard me say this, they would probably disagree. For example, their stuff is very jammy, synth wave stuff with actual instruments; they are jamming up there. They’re riffing off of each other. They’re going crazy! A lot of my music has vocals, so that’s kind of a “live” setting. But it’s not like I’m playing the guitar, the piano, or anything like that. It’s pretty dark and deep, while they are more happy-go-lucky. Not all the time, but you get what I’m trying to say!
seradopa: What has the reception been for doing all these kinds of shows? From what I’ve seen, everyone’s like, I’m so happy I saw Mantra Sounds live, so I’m curious what you think.
Mantra Sounds: Playing at The Caverns was the best show and probably the best day of my life. But if I had to look back to all the past after-parties, I think Brooklyn was my favorite. I played there pretty frequently, so I knew a general gist of what the crowd would interact with. I feel my music has been really well received, more than I thought it would be!
seradopa: You seem kind of shocked about that!
Mantra Sounds: Maybe it’s just the imposter syndrome. Like, are they going to enjoy my music, especially a crowd like the Pretty Lights family?
seradopa: I have learned that the Pretty Lights family is very down to learn. If Derek [Pretty Lights] gives you the vouch, then there’s a reason why this artist is on this lineup. There’s a reason for all of this! So I wasn’t surprised when I saw you on all these lineups. It just made sense – from an outsider’s point of view.
Mantra Sounds: I sometimes get in my head a little bit. And overthink it, but, like you said, the crowd is so diverse. They’re ready to learn something new and pick up a new artist. It’s been really refreshing and all-around awesome!
seradopa: What were your emotions during The Caverns since that is your biggest show now? How did it feel going into it and after?
Mantra Sounds: That was f*cking huge, bro. I have no other words for it other than it was the best experience of my life. That was one of those moments that you have where you’re like, “damn, I really have been working hard.” My team has been working hard, and it was one of those times where you feel the reward. I was just so happy to be there, seeing my friends on the rail, being on that stage, seeing my name behind me, seeing all their pretty lights, instruments, and sh*t on the stage. It was a spiritual experience, for sure!
seradopa: To switch things up, I have been curious. What’s your writing process? What are the steps that go into making your tracks? Is it the words that come first, or is it the beat? Is it an emotion, and then you go from there? Can you expand on your process?
Mantra Sounds: Yeah, definitely ranges! Some songs I’ve written before I produced them. And some other songs, I produced them before I wrote them. I feel like I’m constantly writing lyrics. I’ll be going throughout my day, and I’ll think of a two-liner and write it in my notes. Sometimes I’ll go back to it. Sometimes, it gets lost in the ether. If it’s something that I really like, I’ll sit down that night and make a full verse for it.
But as for production-wise, it’s a hit or miss sometimes. There are songs that I’ve been able to write in a matter of two to four hours, and some songs like “Cyclical” took me months to finish. I can’t even tell you why! I rewrote a whole part, went back, deleted it, and did it again. Then the three songs on the EP I’m releasing at the end of this month were quick, like three hours max!
seradopa: Since you already partially answered the question. With every song taking a range of three hours, was there one harder to write or one harder to produce?
Mantra Sounds: Well, there are three tracks, but the last one is an outro. That one was the hardest to produce. At first, I found a piano loop on Splice because I had lyrics written, and I wanted to put them over something. Then, I was like, alright, I don’t want to use this piano loop. So, I ended up hitting up McWavy, who’s super talented!
I hit her up: “Hey, are you able to throw some simple piano over this?” She ended up sending back two sessions of stems, and it was so perfect! Literally, I didn’t even have to rerecord the vocals. She was able to get everything on key, on beat, on grid, everything. I’m definitely looking forward to that!
The main two songs, though, I would say they’re about equal. The first song is definitely more upbeat, in your face, and the second one is slower and deeper. They’re both dance-y at the end but have different vibes in the same realm.
seradopa: What was your main inspiration for these dark, mesmerizing lyrics for this EP?
Mantra Sounds: This EP specifically? I don’t know; I feel like I’ve had a veil over me for quite a while. Not in my usual, confident, happy headspace that I know I can be in. Recently, I’ve been tapping back into that. And just accepting things for what they are and essentially remembering who the f*ck I am. I’m getting that confidence back and thriving in it!
seradopa: Hell yeah, I’m going to re-listen and rethink everything now!
Mantra Sounds: It’s probably hard to hear that aspect of it. But the first one specifically is about getting back in your bag and talking your shit. Put yourself back on a road where you feel good about yourself. The second one is the opposite of nostalgia. The second song, “Target Practice,” would be more like a flashback. One of the main lyrics refers to passion vs pain. And I feel like it’s the mask of passion that is actually pain that lies underneath!
seradopa: Was there any reasoning behind the title of the EP at all?
Mantra Sounds: Not really. It’s one of the lyrics I said in “Target Practice.” I thought it was funny; I didn’t realize this until after I named it! But one of my first EPs ever, the name of it was Seeing Sequences. At that time, I wanted my music to be wonky and upbeat. Not happy, but more dance-y, fun music that people can have a good time to. As I fell into my sound more, I’ve definitely been making darker stuff, which I really enjoy! But it’s just funny how it went from Seeing Sequences like angel numbers, blah, blah, blah. Now it’s like Seeing Red.
[Laughs]
It’s funny how things have changed!
seradopa: What do you believe has been changing for the better? Or what do you believe needs to be improved or changed immediately in the music industry?
Mantra Sounds: It’s honestly crazy to me remembering how many gigs I’ve taken that were never paid or money was promised and never given. And that is something that discourages the hell out of people! Especially when they’re first starting and feeling that they’re not getting any reward. As a promoter, even if you’re giving somebody $50, please pay them. They’re providing you with a service and the reason why your event is going on. They’re bringing people in, even if it’s not a good event, please f*cking pay them!
It’s not just DJs! Photographers, videographers, and graphic designers also. Honestly, DJs might even have it the best out of everybody. I know so many photographers who never see a check. And it’s like, they’re the people who are creating your content for you to promote your stuff. It’s sad how it goes right over their head.
seradopa: Last silly question, would you consider yourself a sneakerhead?
Mantra Sounds: I’m really not. I want to be, but I don’t wear my sneakers enough. Although I have a nice pair of Adidas, I don’t even know the name of them. I have the Jordan ones that are all-black mid-top that I wear frequently. Sneaker-wise, I have one pair right now, which is the love of my life. I’ve been wanting a pair of Jordan 11s since I was in high school. I finally found them in my size for a decent price. They’re the 25th-anniversary ones too!
When I went into the store to buy them, they were actually kid-sized. I told the guy selling them I’ve wanted them since high school. And he said, “What was that two years ago?” I told him, “No, I’m 26 years old.” Then he said, “Oh, I thought you were 17.”
seradopa: Wow, you got roasted!
Mantra Sounds: He called the f*ck out of me! [Laughs] I wouldn’t say I’m a sneakerhead, but I do appreciate a hot shoe, for sure!
Through our newfound confidence, Electric Hawk has confidence that Mantra Sounds will continue to rise in the future!
Nonetheless, Mantra Sounds made an imprint in 2023 with the constant momentum she has gained from multiple artists and The Gradient Perspective. Seeing Red shows the maturity she has gained over the years and continues to impress through each release. Through all the dark elements, Mantra Sounds is such a powerful force to be acknowledged through her craft and dynamic lyrics that stay in your head. Through everything from all the singles and her latest EP, the outlook for Mantra Sounds reaches new limits as she will be on our radar for 2024 on what she does next!
Be sure to not miss Mantra Sounds as she opens for Maddy O’Neal at the Ogden Theatre in Denver, CO on December 1st. She will be premiering her new logo, visuals, and more for the first time at the show. Be sure to make it there early to witness and immerse yourself in the world Mantra Sounds has been crafting for everyone! Tickets are still on sale and can be bought here!
Continue Seeing Red with Mantra Sounds with her first single below! Full EP release on December 1st!
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