Manuel is a passionate, driven, and techsavvy AV technician, artist and music composer with over ten years of experience, specializing in the captivating world of music and entertainment.
Manuel is an expert in creating soundtracks for short films, feature films and video games.
Manuel Music Blog is a diverse digital platform where creativity and intellect converge, covering a wide range of topics from 3D Art to Music, and Technology to Philosophy.
It’s a collaborative space that features the insights of both Manuel, contributors and participants, appealing to enthusiasts across various fields.
With dedicated sections for different arts, instruments, and cultural reflections, this blog serves as a rich resource for those seeking inspiration, knowledge, and a deep dive into the myriad aspects of artistic and technological exploration.
As we stand at the crossroads of technological innovation and creative expression, I find myself reflecting on my journey in the music industry—a journey that began in the late ’90s, a pivotal era that marked the beginning of a digital music revolution. It was a time when mp3.com emerged as a groundbreaking platform, offering independent artists, including myself under the pseudonym Vanethian, a chance to distribute our music and earn royalties.
This opportunity propelled me into the global top 100 for New Age music, and in 2000, I was featured in the prestigious “Flashback 2000 – The Digital Music Revolution” compilation by mp3.com. This period was transformative, defining the possibilities for indie artists to self-determine and thrive independently.
The mp3.com era was a testament to the power of digital platforms in democratizing music distribution, allowing many artists, myself included, to invest in our studios and professionalize our craft. However, as mp3.com’s chapter closed due to legal challenges and its subsequent absorption by major labels, my focus shifted towards the realm of soundtracks. Initially, I ventured into video game musicGame Audio: The Underrated Role of Audio in Video Games - When it comes to video game development, visuals often steal …
In a world increasingly dominated by data and algorithms, the influence of aesthetics often seems to be an afterthought. However, the role of beauty and design in our lives is far from trivial; it shapes our perceptions, triggers emotional responses, and plays a crucial role in societal norms.
Aesthetic: More Than Skin Deep
From the clothes we wear to the music we listen to, aesthetic choices permeate our daily existence. They aren’t just about ‘looking good’; they reveal layers of cultural, psychological, and personal significance. For instance, the Renaissance period saw a move toward humanistic and symmetric designs, reflecting the era’s intellectual currents. Today, modern and minimalist aesthetics often point towards a desire for simplicity and efficiency in an increasingly chaotic world.
Societal Impact
Aesthetics can have a more serious and even problematic impact on society. Physical attractiveness can lead to the “halo effect,” where beautiful people are often considered smarter, more competent, and more trustworthy. While this is a natural cognitive shortcut, it’s also a problematic stereotype that needs to be challenged.
The Business of Beauty
In my field, game musicGame Audio: The Underrated Role of Audio in Video Games - When it comes to video game development, visuals often steal the spotlight. However, game audio is an equally important component that contributes to the immersive experience. As someone who specializes in music composition and audio integration in games, I understand the nuanced role sound plays. Let’s delve into why audio should never be an afterthought… composition or film production, aesthetics play a critical role. A game with stunning graphics and a compelling score …
Born Angelique Meunier, Havana Brown is a Mauritian Australian DJ, singer, and dancer.
In 2008, Havana Brown joined Island Records Australia as a DJ after being scouted by the label’s manager. She subsequently released her Crave compilation album series, featuring various covers and inventive remixes. That same year, Brown supported Rihanna on the Australian leg of her Good Girl Gone Bad album tour. She later opened for the girl group the Pussycat Dolls during their Australian Doll Domination tour and Britney Spears on both the European and Australian segments of her Circus tour. Brown also supported Chris Brown on the Australian leg of his F.A.M.E. tour.
From 2009, Brown has been a DJ on the Australian statewide radio show, Party People, on the Today Network, airing every Saturday night. In 2011, she released her debut single, “We Run the Night,” which became triple platinum certified by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) after selling 210,000 copies. Brown was nominated for Breakthrough Artist Single and Highest Selling Single at the ARIA Music Awards. A remix of the track featuring rapper Pitbull was released in the U.S. in September, topping the U.S. Hot Dance Club Songs chart and reaching number 26 on …
Today we interview David Gray, David is Director of Support for Blazetrak.com, an impressive project where direct video responses are given from music industryMarketing and Music: Any Song Can Become Famous? - Today let's dive into a topic that's been buzzing around a lot: the relationship between marketing and music. We all know that marketing plays a massive role in the music industry, but does it actually hold the power to make any track a hit? Or does talent still stand a chance? First off, let's address… professionals, helping new artists in their career in many ways.
MM:David, Blazetrak.com is the world’s first website that allows you to get directly in touch with established music industry experts and celebrity talent, how did you have this powerful idea?
The idea came from that fact that A&R are striving everyday to find new music. They are checking social media, going to clubsTrance Music - Free Flowing Electronica - Have you ever found yourself dancing in a club, utterly absorbed in the melody, feeling as if the trance music is flowing through you and guiding your body's movements? This is an experience I've had numerous times during carefree nights at local techno clubs I've often wondered which type of techno generates this unforgettable sensation…, networking, they are always actively looking for quality new music.
For an artist, one of the main ways to get in touch with an A&R was to mail them a CD and hope that someone listened to it. The artist would never know if the CD had been played and the artist would never get any feedback on why the record was not chosen, or what the artist could do to make it better. The process just ended there.
That is where the idea came from. We have A&R who are looking to find new music. We have artists who are looking to get their music heard and actually receive feedback …
Scientifically, it is impossible to determine the greatest album of all time. Over the years, music publications and organizations have attempted to identify the greatest albums, with each list varying. The following seven albums are frequently reviewed and revered as some of the greatest of all time:
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, The Beatles
Cited as the greatest album by numerous publications and organizations, including Rolling Stone and The National Association of Recording Merchandisers, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band features hits like “With A Little Help From My Friends” and “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.” The album won four Grammy Awards in 1968 and has sold over 32 million copies. It represents The Beatles’ foray into psychedelic rock.
Pet Sounds, The Beach Boys
Recognized as one of the most influential albums in popular music, Pet Sounds was released in May 1966. Lead vocalist Brian Wilson quit touring to focus on vocal harmonies, unconventional harmonies, and recording. The album includes hits “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” and “God Only Knows” and features sounds from an electro-theremin, dog whistles, barking dogs, and Coca-Cola cans. In 2004, the Library of Congress preserved the album in the National Recording Registry.
The music worldHow exactly to Work With tough folks in the Indie music World - What is Indie Music World? I am willing to wager that the most challenging aspect of your life at this moment is interacting with and managing relationships with others. It's a bet I believe I would easily win, as almost everyone faces this issue. It's the bane of the human experience. A famous French philosopher… is full of talented female singers, but only a few have reached the level of greatness that these icons of American pop culture have. These incredible singers, both old and new, have made it to the top with their remarkable songs and voices. Here are some of the best female singers of all time whose voices captivate audiences:
Taylor Swift Taylor Swift is a beloved singer-songwriter who began composing songs at a young age. With numerous hit songs, awards, and accolades, she has become an influential figure in the music industryMarketing and Music: Any Song Can Become Famous? - Today let's dive into a topic that's been buzzing around a lot: the relationship between marketing and music. We all know that marketing plays a massive role in the
Manuel is a passionate, driven, and techsavvy AV technician, 
Born Angelique Meunier, Havana Brown is a Mauritian Australian DJ, singer, and dancer.
Recent Comments