Manos Six + the Muddy Devil (Stamos Abatis) are an acoustic duo created by members of :Skull & dawn:.
Their music is a blend of Dark-Americana, Death-Country, Neo-Folk and Black Metal.
The band’s setlist is based on original songs and its main instruments are banjo and acoustic bass. Apart from these music elements, the duo builds its stage atmosphere with a conceptual presentation that will be taking us to the empty fields of the American south and the loneliness of its swamps, with Lucifer being the light and the veil of death being the ever-existing darkness.
Hello, could you please introduce Manos Six + The Muddy Devil to the Rock n Load readers?
Hello and thank you for your interview.
Manos six + the muddy devil are basically consisted by 2 persons: me ( Manos Six ) and Stamos Abatis ( the muddy devil ).
Sometimes, at certain live concerts we perform along with other fellow musicians.
How did Manos Six + The Muddy Devil come to be a band?
First of all, with my friend and brother Stamos Abatis (and other beloved friends and musicians) we have another band called :Skull& dawn: .
So Manos Six + the Muddy Devil is actually a side project of :Skull& dawn: .
What was the aim when Manos Six + The Muddy Devil formed and has that changed at all?
The initial aim ( that still remains the same) of Manos Six + the Muddy devil , was to create music with a more personal expression and also to be a music band with a quite flexible line up.
What is it that makes you work so well together?
As I said before, there are important factors that make the creative process easier. Every decision concerning the band is taken by me, furthermore Stamos and I play together in various bands since 1999. So we know how to cooperate artistically together, without the need to explain anything.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Our inspiration comes basically from the deep American South: extreme Christian cults, the devil, horror stories, myths and truths from the swamps….
You have recently released Swamp Suicide, what were your intentions for the listener when you recorded it?
Swamp suicide is a journey to the South and all the elements I aforementioned. So the listener must allow himself to follow this journey and experience its atmosphere.
How do you approach the writing and recording process?
The writing process is quite lonely, because this is a personal side project, but when it comes to the recording time, both Stamos and I contribute to achieve the required outcome.
What did you get out of creating and recording the music?
Through this whole process and the release of the album, we saw our feelings and creative thoughts take form and be presented in a way suitable to our aesthetic.
Do you find music an outlet?
Music is generally a form of outlet, but for me personally has another meaning.
My opinion about life stays the same, my suicidal thoughts are still here, my view of the present and the future remains nihilistic.
The only thing that comforts me is the past, that’s why my references and aesthetic are nostalgic, because this is my shelter…
Your promo says that “the duo builds its stage atmosphere with a conceptual presentation that will be taking us to the empty fields of the American south and the loneliness of its swamps “How do you do this?
Music is generally a form of outlet, but for me personally has another meaning.
My opinion about life stays the same, my suicidal thoughts are still here, my view of the present and the future remains nihilistic.
The only thing that comforts me is the past, that’s why my references and aesthetic are nostalgic, because this is my shelter…
How do you feel about the EP now it has been out for a number of weeks?
We are very satisfied from the album reviews and reception so far. We are also very grateful to FYC records and my friend Nikos Spanakis for believing and supporting us…
Would you change anything about the EP?
Nope…haha
What is the future for Manos Six + The Muddy Devil?
Although I am not a huge fan of making future plans, we have already written the songs for the upcoming album, we have a lot of gigs planned and some upcoming collaborations that I cannot currently reveal.
Thank you for your time and wishing you all the best with Manos Six + The Muddy Devil.
Thanx again for the interview and I wish you all the best!
Manos Six
Spotify: Manos Six and the Muddy Devil https://open.spotify.com/artist/7cOXpFNWhV6OHV3YGDWMmm?si=lAfwvNYUTwG5UkLhTph6jQ&nd=1
FB: www.facebook.com/manossixandthemuddydevil
