M A N I K

The latest Pulse podcast magician is New York City born and bred M A N I K aka Chris Manik, a producer that lives and breathes electronic music. At just 24 years of age with a discography less than one year old, his mature production style and ear for the dancefloor mark him out as a talent that is here to stay. The M A N I K discography already boasts music releases on the worlds best underground imprints like Josh Wink's Ovum, L.A based Culprit, Steve Bug's highly praised Poker Flat, and an upcoming release on the almighty Hot Creations, run by Lee Foss and Jamie Jones. Chris catches up with James Huxley and shares his production tips and plans for the rest of what has already been a highly successful year. 

Download M A N I K's Pulse podcast here:



Pulse: Hey Chris thanks for taking the time to answer these questions. Where are you right now? M A N I K: I just got back from Detroit on Monday and now I'm home. Was a nice trip and good to see a lot of my friends etc. I am looking forward to getting in the studio tomorrow.

DJ Mag named you one to watch in 2011, how's the year panning out so far? Do you feel you are living up to the plaudit? I'd like to think I am. I mean it's always flattering these press labels, but I work hard and am glad people have appreciated my work and all I've done this year. The fans and their support have been amazing so far and just really cool to be apart of. My 2011 has been really great especially with my album and all the touring. I can't wait for the second half of the year to get going now.

You've released on some of the top labels and also had McLovin You voted as one of Pulse's tunes of 2010- what's next? It's been crazy for sure. Right now my debut album Armies Of The Night is out. I am really happy about it. In the early part of the Fall I have an EP coming out on Hot Creations which I am super excited about, glad to be working with Lee and Jamie. After that I have another mega EP on Culprit. That will basically be the follow up to McLovin You. Other than that just a lot of touring going on. Another Europe tour starts in a little over a month. I also started a new band project on the side with a vocalist and a friend of mine so a lot going on.

Having released on so many top label what was it that made you decide to release Ovum and what was the process? I really enjoy working with Ovum. They get me and my vision and are a great bunch of people. They have great business minds and also see the bigger picture which is important to me. At the end of the day, I wanted my first album out on a label that I felt really understood my vision and they totally supported what I wanted to do with it. So it worked out for sure.

What are your thoughts on the album now it's finished and released? (In general are you able to put a track to bed once it's finished or do you constantly want to go back to it?) I am totally happy the way it has been received and how it was finished. People have really given me the kind of reactions I wanted to see when I was making it so truly satisfied with the results. No going back on any of it but perhaps a new album in the future.

Do you have a MANIK production tip you'd like to share? Just do you and be carefree with musical genres because they only limit you anyway. Honestly, that's the best piece of advice I can offer anybody.

Where's your main focus at the moment, DJing or Producing? Well I have always been a producer / music maker first, but I love performing and doing both for real. I'm touring a lot more now, which comes with the territory, so that is nice. I just love to make music so I'll be producing until I'm 100.

You've just been on a world tour, how was it and what were some of the highlights? The tour was amazing. Each city was special for sure. Barcelona, Milan, all of them. Playing with Lee Foss in Antwerp was dope. Balsaal in Hamburg was a great club and the Air London night in London was out of this world. Got to play alongside my friends Death On The Balcony as well as Simon Baker and more.

What's your take on the current state of Hip Hop?  I really am hoping it will go back to more of it's roots. There are some cool things happening now though. The industry and A&R's are looking for lots of fresh faces, so a solid influx of new artists are climbing up. You can see that here in Queens too. Let's just always keep it real!

You can have a day in the the studio and a night on the town with either, DJ Premier or Francois K? Who do you pick, why, and where do you go? Damn that's a good question. Truly hard decision. I think going out with Francois in this current 2011 NYC world compared to how he grew up nightlife wise, in the 70s and 80s, it would be a shame really.

I would love to go through Primo's wax collection. I mean this guys crate is deeper than anyone elses. That's how he gets all his dope samples. He is the ultimate student of the game. I guess I would get in the studio with DJ Premiere and go out with Francois for a bite and relaxing evening. I would just sit there and listen to all his stories of the way it was in NYC back during the original Loft parties and the garage etc. But I could learn so much from both guys.

You were kind enough to mix our latest podcast, can you tell us a little bit about it? This is a 90 minute podcast mix I did where the first 60 minutes is all New York based artists. I figured this would be a great idea for a "hook" to the podcast series. I recorded this at my home studio on my Traktor set up. Holler! 

James Huxley

M A N I K on Pulse