_This is a series of interviews with our favorite electronic music artists, celebrating the Arrival of THUMP and made possible by the new Heineken Star Bottle. In this edition: _MANIK.__ For more arrivals check here.After living in New York for a few years, I've realized that while everyone claims to "love" the city, only a small subset of its denizens genuinely adore all of its quirks. Everyone else just picks and chooses what excites them, and tolerates the rest.One such bona fide New York devotee is Chris Manik, a born-and-bred local whose debut album, Armies of the Night—released in 2011 by Ovum and "stitched together" by the label boss himself, Josh Wink—paints a comic book-style picture of the city Chris grew up in, with interludes from the 1979 cult film The Warriors thrown in. According to Chris, the album is a sort of soundtrack to New York—a series of cinematic theme songs all inspired by walks through his neighborhood in Queens.Specifically, Armies is a heartfelt homage to the freewheeling, thug-dominated nightlife in Queens during the 70s to the 90s. And while the 27-year-old was too young to have been a part of that gritty party scene, like most people in our nostalgia-ridden generation, he still claims a connection to the era simply because…he knows a lot about it.
Fresh off releases on labels like Culprit, Poker Flat, and Hot Creations, Chris chatted with us about his early struggles, why he's most inspired by Moby, and being able to afford shoes again.THUMP: When did you first step foot into the DJing scene?
Chris Manik: I started making electronic music back in college, but I was just having fun. Nothing really clicked until I was about 23 or 24. One thing I have always stuck to was making what I feel like. Some days I feel like making deeper house with acid over it, and other days I want to make a 90 bpm electronica song.Who inspired you to get serious about making music?
Josh Wink inspired me a lot. The funny thing is that my first official release ended up being on his label in 2009. Another pivotal artist that inspires me is Moby. His albums are like soundtracks to movies—I love that about him.How did you transition from DJing as a hobby to doing it full time?
Once I started seeing results from DJing—as in, gigs and money coming in—I knew I could support myself. That's when I jumped in 100 percent. You struggle for the first few years for sure. You really have to give up a lot and dedicate all your time and energy to being a full time artist, especially in the early stages.Was there a pivotal event that helped you arrive at the level that you're at now?
I remember having just about nothing. I hadn't bought a new pair of shoes in ages, and all I was doing was trying to make a song that would break me in. Once I had a big release, which came in the winter of 2009 on Ovum with my Park to The Slope EP, things snowballed, and six months after that I was a full-time musician.
I think the entire year of 2011 was when my touring schedule as a DJ cemented itself. I had about four EPs scattered on labels like Culprit and Hot Creations. Also, my first album came out on Ovum.What do you base your song selection on when you play live?
I think it is important to have a ballpark in your mind going into a DJ set, but if need be, adapt to the crowd a bit. Still stay true to who you are though. I also think knowing what city and venue you are about to go into is key.How do you connect with the crowd during your set?
It's about doing me but still giving them what they want. Once that balance is reached—that's the connection.
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Fresh off releases on labels like Culprit, Poker Flat, and Hot Creations, Chris chatted with us about his early struggles, why he's most inspired by Moby, and being able to afford shoes again.THUMP: When did you first step foot into the DJing scene?
Chris Manik: I started making electronic music back in college, but I was just having fun. Nothing really clicked until I was about 23 or 24. One thing I have always stuck to was making what I feel like. Some days I feel like making deeper house with acid over it, and other days I want to make a 90 bpm electronica song.
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Josh Wink inspired me a lot. The funny thing is that my first official release ended up being on his label in 2009. Another pivotal artist that inspires me is Moby. His albums are like soundtracks to movies—I love that about him.How did you transition from DJing as a hobby to doing it full time?
Once I started seeing results from DJing—as in, gigs and money coming in—I knew I could support myself. That's when I jumped in 100 percent. You struggle for the first few years for sure. You really have to give up a lot and dedicate all your time and energy to being a full time artist, especially in the early stages.Was there a pivotal event that helped you arrive at the level that you're at now?
I remember having just about nothing. I hadn't bought a new pair of shoes in ages, and all I was doing was trying to make a song that would break me in. Once I had a big release, which came in the winter of 2009 on Ovum with my Park to The Slope EP, things snowballed, and six months after that I was a full-time musician.
What's been your biggest break so far?
I think the entire year of 2011 was when my touring schedule as a DJ cemented itself. I had about four EPs scattered on labels like Culprit and Hot Creations. Also, my first album came out on Ovum.What do you base your song selection on when you play live?
I think it is important to have a ballpark in your mind going into a DJ set, but if need be, adapt to the crowd a bit. Still stay true to who you are though. I also think knowing what city and venue you are about to go into is key.How do you connect with the crowd during your set?
It's about doing me but still giving them what they want. Once that balance is reached—that's the connection.