Meet Mandaning

Cupid Shuffle, cotton eye joe, cha-cha-slide these are the dance moves I feel most comfortable doing. Now that we have gotten that out of the way let me tell you about Mandancing. Technical and precise, while maintaining an enormous amount of emotion this New Jersey alternative troop is stellar. Look they even have a logo (image below). You don’t see that enough anymore I tell ya.

Down in the interview we chat about cats, canned margaritas, and sounds they can not stand to hear. Have a look.

EAT, DRINK, AND BE SICK a mad-lib by, Mandancing

An inspector from the Department of Health and BAT Services paid a surprise visit to our FUN school cafeteria. The lunch special, prepared by our COOL dietician, was spaghetti and BALL-balls with a choice of either a SMOKE salad or French PUNCHES. The inspector found the meat-PICTURES to be overcooked and discovered a live CAN in the fries, causing him to have a TORSO ache. In response, he threw up all over his PATCHES. In his report, the inspector ACTUALLY recommended that the school cafeteria serve only nutritious BLANKETS as well as low-calorie BUCKETS, and that all of the saturated BENCHES be eliminated. He rated the cafeteria a L-minus.

Would You Rather

have two cats for feet or two very small wheels for feet? Also please tell us why.

I would rather have two very small wheels for feet. They’d be easier to take care of. I used to aggressively inline on rollerblades, and I feel like maybe it would be a similar type of thing. Wheels are far better for half pipes and kicker ramps than cats are. Also, maybe I could go fast.

Some questions with Mandancing

Do you have any rituals or routines before a live performance?

Yes, I have one and we as a band have one, too. 

What led you to decided to re-release your debut album Everyone Else?

When Take This to Heart had approached us, it was their initial idea. We liked it and agreed to do it because we love that record and having it backed by a label would allow for more people to hear it. When we made it and released it ourselves the first time around, we didn’t consider the possibility of a re-release through a label. We’re super grateful for it. Thank you Joe.

Which would you prefer to have a garden or a fish tank? What would you have in each?

I would prefer a garden. It would make it so that I would maybe get to have some extra veggies and fruits in my life to eat and give away. Perfect world: a garden full of beets, sweets (sweet potatoes), and broccoli. And some good flowers. I would tend to it, honestly and lovingly. If I had a fishtank, I’d probably have like one or two goldfish in there maybe. (Actually, I want a garden with everything in it, I love food lol)

What are your go-to dance moves?

My go-to dance moves don’t have names, but my favorite is the involuntary upper body shake that happens after taking a bite of delicious food. I also like to do this thing with my legs that I can’t explain.  

What is your stance on canned margaritas?

I haven’t had a drink in over 2 years, but I’m for ‘em! Any type of margarita is just fine. On ice, slushy style, canned, expired, it was once all on the table.

What is the one sound you can not stand to hear?

I have a hard time with snoring. But, like, I’ve stood it before. I’m not sure if anything else comes to mind. Maybe when people are screaming at each other furiously in public. That’s never fun.

If you could compare your music to one dish which would it be and why?

I’m not sure how to properly answer this but here’s a go. It’s the rare dish that one makes for themselves at a self serve buffet, when, for whatever reason, all the different and weird combos that you’ve decided to mash together hit all the right spots. Like the grayish chocolate pudding next to the like warm fried cheese wontons just work, and you’re not sure why, and there’s a chance it’ll never work again, but you’re happy that you’re at the buffet and hope that everyone else around you is having a good time, too. You know what? I’m not sure if I like that answer. I love food lol 

What is your favorite song you have ever written, and why?

Now this is probably like asking a parent, “who’s your favorite kid?” which, I imagine for some parents would be easy to answer, but for others it’s impossible. I like them all for different reasons. But certainly the new songs for the record we’re recording this year are my favorite.  

What are your favorite venues to play in NJ?

I love all the places that have given us an opportunity. A few that stick out : AP Brewery, House of Independents, The Saint, NB basements, Ben Petty’s house. The list goes on.  

Any final comments? (This is your electronic soapbox for one last answer.)

It’s important to be kind. That’s all that is. Thank you for taking the time out to do this. I hope you have a good day and a good time. I love you.

Mandancing