It’s great to have you with us Reece! For our readers can you share a little about who you are and how you came to be where you are today?
Connor! What a pleasure, thanks so much for having me. So as you mentioned my name’s Reece and I’m a recording artist born and bred out of Coventry here in the UK. I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember and entertaining people is the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do so. Earlier in my career I was signed to a major but what they wanted and I wanted didn’t align musically so we parted ways. I have been working hard in the studio for the past year to really form my own sound and I can truly say that I think I found it.
We’re all fans of your latest track and we’re dying to know the inspiration behind “Like We Used To”, could you open up to us please?
Thank you so much! Like we used to is a song I wrote about my previous relationship. I suppose the best way to describe it is as a tribute to the feeling, that I’m sure everybody has had at one point, of wanting to go back in time and live in a particular moment that you have shared with somebody very close to you.
As an actor and musician, you cross multiple disciplines and have various creative projects on the go. How do these multiple influences converge within your music?
That’s right! So alongside music I have appeared in a BBC television series called Father Brown and prior to that I played Michael Jackson in Thriller Live in the West End. While I love acting, and it’s not something I plan on abandoning, my own music has become my main priority and acting is therefore on a sort of hiatus. I think sometime you really have to zone in and focus. I have really been doing that and focusing on my own sound which means a major time commitment to that process.
If you had to choose between music and acting, which would be your preference and why?
Music is and always will be my first passion. I love acting though don’t get me wrong, but music was my first passion and that passion hasn’t left me to this day. With that being said, I certainly wouldn’t turn down the opportunity to play a Marvel superhero!
What has been one of your career highlights and what do you hope to achieve in the coming year?
Considering how fresh I am in this industry I feel honoured to have any highlights. I suppose one of my favourite moments was playing live for large crowds. Specifically, getting the chance to perform at some huge festivals. For me playing live is the single greatest thing. But this is really only the start and 2022 is going to be an amazing year for myself and my team. I have full confidence that the best is yet to come.
How was the recording process for “Like We Used To”?
I had the upmost pleasure of working with the producer.-genius that is Blake Straus on this project. It’s so strange because whilst Blake and I have become really great friends and have built such a great working relationship, we have never met in person and all the music we have made together has been done over zoom!
Blake is based in LA so our studio sessions are often late nights for me and early mornings for him which can sometimes be tiring but it’s always easy to find motivation when you are working with a talent like his. Blake and I have spent a long time creating and sculpting my sound and he has truly allowed me to steer the ship in the direction of the music while adding his undeniable level of skill to create what I’m proud to call my sound. I can’t wait for you to hear everything else we have been cooking up!
What artists do you think have shaped your sound today?
This is always such an interesting question because I was lucky to have been bought up listening to such a wide range of musical styles. My first musical influence and idol was Elvis Presley. I was obsessed as a kid! Then I was out onto the greats like Sam Cooke, Little Richard, Ray Charles, James Brown. My mum was and still is really into the soul stuff like James Ingram, Anita Baker, Luther Vandross etc. Prince is one of my biggest influences. In reality, I have an appreciation for all types of music
Are you from a musical or artistic family background and what do they think of your career?
Nobody else in my family does music haha! I’m literally the only one so I’m not quite sure where that came from but I’ll take it! I’m blessed to have a family that supports my career and will always be behind me in whatever I’m doing.
How do you make your music stand out in a saturated market?
To be honest, I really don’t know yet but I hope I can let you know soon! That’s a tough task given the amount of music being released everyday. For me, I think you have to find a sound that works for who you are and then go at it hard with everything when you have found it. With so many artists nowadays, I am going to make sure that I stay working and take the opportunities as they come.
What is one thing you couldn’t live without?
Ahhh that’s a tough one! I’m really into training and in particular boxing. I’m in the gym pretty much everyday. Besides music, I’d definitely say that’s my outlet and something I need to stay focused. Plus I really enjoy it.
Music styles do change, but for now how would you describe your music?
Good question haha! I’d say my music is a blend of RnB and pop with influences of soul and sometimes even have rock n roll. Ultimately I’m trying to make music that’s timeless and makes people feel something. I know that saying “make people feel something” is somewhat vague but each song is different and sometimes you want to connect on a deep, emotional level and other times you just want to make music that makes people get up and dance!
If you could open a show for any artist, who would it be and why?
Oooh! Well I think my only living musical idol left is Stevie Wonder so to open for him would be an absolute honour but I feel that somebody like Beyoncé or Taylor Swift would be awesome because of the atmosphere their fans create at their shows. They have such loyal fans and I’d love to steal a few of them haha!
What’s your life motto?
Hmm I pride myself on being a hard worker. There is a Conor McGregor quote that I live by that reads “There is no talent here, this is hard work. This is obsession”. I truly believe that the hardest worker in the room will always overcome the most talented.
What social issues are you most passionate about?
I’d say the one I’m most passionate about is equality. At the end of the day we are all humans made up of the same flesh and bones so we should treat each other correctly and respectfully. Some of the events we have seen around the world over the last while have been downright brutal but it’s also forcing some important changes.
To finish off with Reece who are your fans, how do you connect with them and what do you think they will take away with them when they listen to “Like We Used To”?
Wow! To even think that I have fans and listeners is crazy! I make music to express myself but also to entertain and connect with people. I want people to hear my music and relate to it through their own stories and experiences. When people listen to Like We Used To I want them to take away a feeling of nostalgia and be able to connect with the story my lyrics are trying to convey.
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Connor Mantle
Young entrepreneur and freelance model. Founder of the AW20 Hope & Glory Fashion show, with interests in mythology, spiritualism and astrology among many others. One can be contacted via Instagram @Connormantle
Love Reece’s new track!