Hi everyone, I have a new video up on the site for the song Mothers Ghost.
Its worth a look!
Please let me know your feedback.
I will be playing in Spy Dublin 2 on the 16th of February.
If you require an invite, then contact me and I will post one out to those who want to make the effort.
There will be appearances from Marianne Faithful amongst others.
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MUSICIAN: JUSTIN MANVILLE

Having just completed his 2nd album "Mothers Ghost" Justin Manville has a few things to say about where it all begun, where it is now and where he plans for his career to lead!

I've found myself with a suppressed curiosity over the last 8 months of seeing the mysterious but familiar character float from the studio in my old house to the kitchen for gallons of tea and late night rants over Irish history, the world and personal philosophies.
Having heard his music and some of his opinions I find myself compelled to find out a little more about the Yorkshire lad who seems so comfortable in our Irish climate.

In this exclusive interview I ask Justin some questions about his past and how the hell he ended up here in my kitchen!

It all started 8 months ago at the beginning of this year.
In he walks, guitar draped over his shoulder, slightly tentative as one would expect being faced with the usual suspects sat at my kitchen table, it's usually like a scene from reservoir dogs and this day was no exception.
He puts his guitar down and walks around the table shaking every persons hand while making eye contact as if he might have to give a description as evidence at a trial later on that day.
I ask if he would like a cup of tea to which he replies, "as long as it's Yorkshire!" Just to establish his origin in a light humoured fashion.
I observe without being too obvious, I feel a familiarity, it feels mutual, it happens within a second.
In walks one of the producers of the yet to be commenced record to rescue him from any further interrogations.
"Thanks for the tea" he says as he stumbles knocking into the door on his way through.

Weeks pass, every body settles in at there own pace. I could see Justin fitting in, savouring the time here, taking in the characters, allowing them to slot slowly in their positions and ranks, even spending time to get to know the animals, making sure he knew who was who and what was what.
We would talk regularly while editing and mixing was being performed in the studio. It was late one night when Justin said some things which made me understand the affinity more clearly.







Justin:

I grew up in Yorkshire; it's very beautiful but also very isolated.
I was lucky to grow up in a lovely old house in the middle of fields with a similar feel to Pickering. In fact the characters and ambience is so similar it freaks me out.
My Dad would also collect people in his life like you do," He says with a smile." If he felt someone needed help he would take them in. At any time he could appear with a strange bearded man with one shoe missing and introduce him as his new friend.
I was so used to this, its all I knew. All good preparation for what I was hoping unconsciously to become. I think of it as material now, a never ending archive of ridiculous events and poignant moments to dip into when I'm stuck for something to write about.
I do have a fear of writing about such bizarre moments in time that they might not appeal to a wide enough audience. I guess Ill save those events for spontaneous and shocking answers in interviews for Pat Kenny and the likes or my final album, when I'm past caring and wish to alert people to my liberal views on life and the reasons for them.
See its fine to say shocking things if you're old, I think!


It wasn't all weird though, I remember wonderful times too where my brother and I would race planks of wood down the stream on those chilly October days, where the sun would shine to shed a few hours light and the cold air would hurt any uncovered skin. That kind of weather is still my favourite. Those kinds of days are easy to write songs about, where there is no sign or understanding of war, corruption, prejudice or the way things are. Oh how ignorance and lack of knowledge felt good back then. I would just exist and not know or think why.

The album Mothers Ghost is written about relationships, mortality and peoples personal thoughts, not forgetting my mother! The thoughts that you cant just blurt out to your friend. You need music to help it make sense.
It has evolved due to spending time here, 3 of the 13 songs that made the album were inspired by the people I met and the surroundings here.
I feel like I've written a good album if it tells a story from beginning to end, lyrically and musically. I've had people come up to me after a concert and say, "Hey Justin I split up with my girlfriend the other night but just before she left we said we would play the next song of whichever cd was left in the stereo as a farewell anthem. "Tired eyes" came on and we instantly got back together!"

It's good to hear things like that, especially when it has a positive outcome.
I am a positive person, it pains me to try and write about sad things or the hardships in life. I think its bad enough having to deal with them when they happen, let alone writing about them. Although as an artist it seems trendy to come across morose and misunderstood, like you suffer the pain of the universe for the universe.
I'm different; I embrace life for how and what it is.
I don't associate bohemianism with art, as a man I can live without material but don't wish to. My body is not an encumbrance, in short I enjoy being human. It allows me to think, write and play guitar. It also allows me to touch and live amongst beautiful surroundings, without which I truly would not exist.

The style of my music is hard to define. I listened to so much growing up that I wouldn't know what actually influenced me and what didn't.
What I do know is I love the sound of an acoustic guitar, the instrument itself has influenced me more than anything, not that I'm the greatest guitarist in the world but it gets me by.
My niece, Zoe Manville did most of the backing to Mothers Ghost, she also wrote the song "After" which is proving to be a popular track.
The lovely cellist Fidelma Hannrahan who featured on the album also plays the live shows.
I think the music translates well to the live performances, so if people keep enjoying it stripped back to its bare essentials, well keep performing it that way…

A summer tour of America and Europe starting and ending in Ireland will commence on February the 16th at Spy South William street.
This is already sold out, so make sure you catch the next one.

All other info including the Album and upcoming shows visit www.myspace.com/justinmanville.
HYPERLINK "www.justinmanville.com" www.justinmanville.com

Anonymous interview.

Justin will tour Ireland starting the 16th of February in Spy on South William street.
Tickets are already sold out for that date.
Keep an eye out for Spring dates around the country, Including The spirit store in Dundalk, Crawdaddy
Dublin, Roisin Dubh Galway and many more...