What’s My Scene: Kara Manansala is past trying to impress ‘jazz bros’
In our regular Q&A column What’s My Scene, InReview speaks to emerging and established local artists to get their take on the South Australian creative scene and their place within it. This week Elder Con-trained singer songwriter Kara Manansala reflects on leading from the heart, and stepping out of the “little echo chamber” of a musical genre.
Where was your first Adelaide gig, and how did it go?
As a teenager I popped my head into a few open mic nights across Adelaide, but my first original music gig was at the Wheatsheaf Hotel as one of COMA’s Emerging Artists in 2022. It’s such a sweet setup – you’re programmed with two other artists orgroups and you each perform a short set to an often packed out and incredibly supportive crowd. I remember being nervous and having finished one of the songs at 1am that morning. I was met by such a kind audience and remember feeling so over the moon with how we were received and getting to create that experience with some of my closest friends. I’m so grateful to COMA for providing this space for me as a young artist and setting an encouraging course for me to follow. Big shout out to COMA for all they do in fostering local talent and original music in Adelaide, and their long-term partner, the Wheaty.
What is your artist origin story?
I truly can’t remember a time where I didn’t love music and singing. One of my earliest memories is sitting over a windowsill outside one of my childhood homes while my Dad gardened, telling him I’d be his “radio” and singing whatever he asked – probably a limited run of songs I knew, heavy spotlight over the Delta Goodrem catalogue. I sang in choirs through all my schooling, and dabbled with lessons in voice, piano and a teeny stint on the violin (my Mum and brother are definitely glad that was short-lived). I’m incredibly thankful to have had unwavering support from my parents on my passions including music. When I finished high school and started studying in a completely different field, my passions pulled me into two different worlds and my parents supported me 100% in pursuing music, so long as I put all of myself into it.
I started studying jazz voice at the Elder Conservatorium, and I think this was a hugely pivotal moment for my artistry and life generally. I started to consider music as one of the main pillars of my adult life, and as a possible career and life path. I met so many of my closest friends studying and I think this time was the turning point in the journey the artist I am today.
What was your impression of the Adelaide creative scene when you first started, and how has that changed?
I think I’ve always been in awe of the Adelaide creative scene and the depth that exists within every corner of it. I think it can be so easy to exist in the little echo chamber of your specific scene, genre, or practice, particularly when you’re younger and fresh out of Uni. Lately I’ve stepped out of this and realising (with excitement) how little I know, and how much there is to hear and experience. I’m now in an eyes wide open time, and desperate to get my ears and eyes around as much as this city and its creatives have to offer.
There is also sometimes this belief that Adelaide’s creative scene falls short in comparison to other cities around Australia. This line of thought is something I no longer subscribe to. I truly love this city and what it has to offer, and I think there’s a lot to say about recognising the calibre of talent that we have here across all disciplines, and investing, championing and creating opportunities for this scene to flourish. Putting time and heart into creating the scene we crave is an effort I want to commit to more – taking inspiration from legends like wonderful Sharni Honor of Porch Records.
How has your own work evolved since you first started?
My work and creative practise has changed so much over the years, it’s a really fun thing to look back on. I think starting out during the tail end of uni, I definitely had an element of craving complexity, validation and wanting to impress the jazz bros. As I embarked on my journey post studying – back to a heart led practice – my music changed again. I adjusted my instrumentation to create a band of dreams: Jake Dawson, Jack Strempel, Tasha Stevens and Cam Tonkin.
What I’ve personally been craving in the music that I listen to and the music that I make is a feeling of being held. In this crazy world I think a moment of stillness, vulnerability and connection is the comfort that so much of our beings ache for, and I often find this in a melodic or chordal loop, a groove, or lyrics that read like poetry. Every aspect of the music we make is in service to the feeling. One of the newest developments has been me playing keys more often – live and in recording. That has been such a fulfilling and grounding feeling. I feel much calmer seated at the keys and I feel truly ‘inside’ the music in a way I don’t always do when I’m on the mic. I’m able to take a breath and be more present in the moment, because that’s what playing the music demands of me, and in turn is what I can offer the audience and my bandmates.
What is it about your next project that you’re most excited or nervous to share with the world?
We actually just came out of the Forest Range Studios (with gorgeous Lucinda Machin) at the start of this month to make my first ever record! There’s still a way to go before it’s ready for the world’s ears, but I’m already so excited about it. I think we really did exactly what I spoke about – followed the feeling – and created something that feels like cracking open my chest and offering it into song. I feel like I can honestly say that I put so much of myself into it and am so lucky to have had my beautiful friends involved. There’s only one track from the old era of music, and everything else exists in service to this concept and feeling that I think encapsulates the last couple years of my life. Parts of it really sound like the music that I listen to which is a deeply relieving and validating feeling, and I’m excited to offer it to the world soon-ish.
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Who are the artists around you that inspire or challenge you?
Grace Vandals: She sits within the alt-rock space. I’ve admired Grace ever since we sat in our first year uni small ensemble together. She has such a vision and drive, and the most wonderful way with words. And obviously one of the most beautiful voices you’ve ever heard.
Sharni Honor: Again, Sharni is such a pillar of Adelaide’s music scene. I admire her ethos and ethic in the way she engages with other artists, and how well and truly immersed in the world of music she constantly is, to both program and DJ. She lives and breathes music, championing musical expression and the people that make it in a way I just truly adore.
Favourite Adelaide venue to play?
Oddio or Summertown Studio! Such cool spaces and always a vibe. Nexus Arts gets a shoutout too for always having epic sound.
Dream artist to perform alongside?
Jordan Rakei! He has a tap into this musical well and puts on such a beautiful show – I always come away inspired and in awe by the world he builds musically. I would be stoked to even be a backing singer, let alone perform alongside him.
Favourite artist to collaborate with?
I love working with my drummer, Cam Tonkin. He is not only the kindest heart and generous with his musical offering, he’s one of the most musical and mesmerising drummers I know. You see and feel the way the music flows through him, like it’s an extension of his body meeting the drum kit. Working with him to find grooves and feel through my songs is such an easy and kind experience.
Where is your next Adelaide performance, and how do you hope it will go?
Our next public gig is at the Art Gallery for the Monet to Matisse exhibition on October 30! We’ll be in a slightly smaller format, playing some tunes to welcome people into the space. I’m keen to play my own music as well as music that I love, and playing around with soundscaping. I’m hoping it’ll be a really nice time with my friends first and foremost, and that it can score and contribute to peoples’ experience in the exhibition.
Kara Manansala performs at the Art Gallery of South Australia’s Monet to Matisse Friday Nights on Friday October 30 from 5.30pm
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