Interview with The Manta Shrimps

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

I know what I'd be doing cause I was doing it already before I got into music: videography.

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

Usual stuff really, see friends, cook, watch telly, go for walks in nature, usual stuff.

How long have you been making music?

Since 2017, been releasing music since then too (it's all godawful though)

Where are you based and how did that influence your music?

London, and I don't think it influenced me at all. At least consciously, subconsciously it probably did.

Tell me about your most memorable shows, if you haven’t played live what is your vision for a live show?

Imagine a british king gizzard and also a bit of arthur brown mixed in.

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

I'd like to play some mad weird place like a field in Mozambique.

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

Gizz obviously, dream theater, pink floyd (you said any lineup I can be unrealistic if I want), infected mushroom, akala, brian jonestown massacre, dead prez, camel, and Jonny Crabb Trio.

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into making music and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

Just start, don't worry about it being good cause it won't be good but who cares it's yours.

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

Probably Buongiorno Straniero, it's very personal that song you can read into the lyrics it's all based on real stuff.

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

No one requests anything lol. I like playing the song I'm working on with my girlfriend, it's about a lost little lizard. It's in B Phrygian and it's fun.

What is your creative process, and what inspires you to write your music?

Usually I get addicted to a little riff, then I figure out what key it's in, usually it ends up being in some stupid mode like Dorian or something and it'll end up being in some annoying time signature, then I have to crack the big coconut of music to get the song out.

Do you have messages that you like to get across in your music? if so please tell me about them.

It varies from album to album. Decisions in Another Language was all about my divorce, I wanted to write all the songs I'd ever need to write regarding that topic and then never look back. And it worked. Next album is gonna be a mish mash of stuff, then at some point I wanna do a political album because of course I do.

Do you have any new singles, videos, or albums out that you would like to tell me and your fans about?

Yeah loads, go on the Jonny Mozza YouTube channel it's all there + way more.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

I've started an email band that doesn't have a name yet. Used my small platform to get people from all across the world to get together and make music of any genre they like. All the proceeds are gonna go to charity, not sure what charity yet. I'd like to do weird charities for causes people don't think about much.

How can your fans best keep up to date with you, any socials you want people to check out?

Go on the Jonny Mozza YouTube channel you'll find everything you need there.