FEATURE: Spotlight: Revisited: Iraina Mancini

FEATURE:

Spotlight: Revisited

Iraina Mancini

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THIS is the final…

Iraina Mancini feature I will publish until there is another album. That is not a threat or pout. What I mean is, since Undo the Blue was released in 2023, I have reviewed the album, written about her on a couple of other occasions and interviewed her. I am very much looking forward to the next chapter for this artist. That said, there is a reason why I reapproaching her. I originally included her in my Spotlight feature back in 2021. I can’t recall the first time I heard her music but, as soon as I did, I was hooked. Such a spectacular artist whose 2023 debut album was my favourite of that year - by quite a distance! I have also said how good she is as a live performer. I have caught her a few times in London. Unfortunately had to miss a few London dates because of double booking and illness – including her appearance at the 100 Club in 2024 (which I was gutted to miss!). I can’t add a tremendous amount to my previous features. However, as this feature is about revisiting artists I spotlighted a while ago and saw potential in, there are so many reasons why you need to follow and hear Iraina Mancini. For one, her 2023 debut, Undo the Blue, is a flawless album that brings in so many genres and sounds. That may be a mixture of her upbringing and experience as a D.J. on Soho Radio. Having travelled the world as a D.J. and with a great love of music from the '60s, '70s, French Pop and so many other tantalising and compelling sounds, I think her influences and sonic palette is so different to anyone out there. Maybe you can look at artists such as Say She She. When she was speaking with Robert Elms on BBC Radio London in April (the link has sadly expired), he played her latest single, Running for your life. Iraina Mancini said how people have compared to ABBA and Jefferson Airplane! There is a bit of Psychedelia and Disco to it. Mancini digs into the crates and her vast musical passion which she channels in order to create songs that sound like nothing else.

I wonder what a second album will be called and sound like. Running for your life ties back to Undo the Blue and songs like Shotgun, Take a Bow and even Cannonball. One of the (many) reasons why I love Undo the Blue is how it can be so diverse but sounds cohesive and connected. Beautifully sweeping cinematic songs like Take a Bow and the giddiness of Sugar Rush. The sh*t-kicking What You Doin’ and the ‘60s-Pop and buzz of Cannonball. The dreaminess of Undo the Blue and the chase scene-soundingDeep End. I can imagine a second studio album will have that same blend and mix of collaborators. However, there will definitely be developments and new sounds. When speaking with Robert Elms, Iraina Mancini was quite self-deprecating. How she has been a bit slow following up her debut. However, she has been busy touring and has been working hard for Soho Radio and also working on new material. I think this year is a perfect one to launch a second studio album (she told Robert Elms it is aimed for the end of this year or maybe next year). After completing a string of dates in the past couple of years, there is this new confidence, energy and inspiration. I think a second album will bring Mancini and her band closer to the bigger festival stages. With more material under her belt, she will have this fresh ammunition. Mancini will play Festival Jazz Equinoxe in Corsica on 9th July; Camp Bestival on 2nd August and a couple of other dates. She collects cool soundtracks from the 1960s and 1970s and writes to instrumentals. Her way of working and the fact that she jams with her band and songs come together piece by piece. Mancini has been hailed and championed by BBC Radio 6 Music and broadcasters she admires such as Lauren Laverne. Even though there is some great music coming out of the mainstream, I often find the most interesting moves are coming from those towards the fringe. In terms of the depth and variety of the music. Iraina Mancini is one of these artists that combines her upbringing – her father, Warren Peace, is a musician who toured and recorded with David Bowie -, the stuff she plays on her radio show and this distinct and personal aesthetic that is unlike anything else.

I love how there is something both modern and vintage about Iraina Mancini! That passion for music of the 1960s and 1970s. That applies to her fashion too. Effortless and impossibly cool. She is the complete package. An extraordinary stage performer who is so engaging and sounds studio-perfect when it comes to the vocals. Every song she has recorded leaves an impression! You are invested in the story and the lyrics. The wonderful production and the gravitas Mancini and her band brings to the song. Undo the Blue is a perfect album that is ordered just right. In terms of balance and flow. I don’t think there is any real rush for a second album. Given how good it is likely to be, you want to give Mancini enough time to lay down these tracks and make sure they are as amazing as they can be. I would urge people to catch her Soho Radio shows as there is always something played that you would not have heard. I hope that there are new interviews and features very soon. In terms of the exposure that she should be getting, I wonder when there will be more radio interviews, podcasts and love from the media. There are a smattering of live reviews; some interviews from throughout the years (not a lot since 2023) and some great archived stuff. I always love writing about Iraina Mancini, as she is an artist that you know will be in the industry for years more. I can see her putting out maybe five or six albums in her career. Recording decades from now, maybe we will see this shift in terms of the inspiration and sound. I also feel she will be doing D.J. work for decades too. This is her passion and calling. I have said before how she would translate to the screen. Many musicians make naturally brilliant actors. There are definitely short films and T.V. projects where you could see Mancini being awesome in. Some really cool roles that she could naturally embody and slay. I also think she has a future too as a composer, where she could provide soundtracks for film or T.V.

I am going to round things up in a minute. I have put all her social media links below. Go and follow Iraina Mancini and be part of her world. The London-born artist is one of my absolute favourites! In terms of resources, you can find more about her past here. I wonder if she still lives in Muswell Hill with her partner because, last year, The Standard spoke to her about her neighbourhoods and the places she hangs out. You can tell that the local environment and vibe influences her writing. It is definitely time for new features and chats. Until then, I would urge people to do as much digging as you can. Listen through to Undo the Blue and buy it here. There will be more tour dates when a second album arrives but if you can see her at Camp Bestival or anywhere she is playing soon then definitely do it! She did used to have an official website. It would be good to have one launched where we get all the archived interviews, photos, news, tour dates and that sort of thing. Her Instagram feed is regularly updated, and you get a real glimpse into her (wonderful and enviable) life and career. I am going to end things here. As a bit of a superfan, it is always good to spotlight this incredible artist. I shall leave her be until album two. Whether released this year or next, it is sure to be a masterpiece! When it comes to this incredible woman, I have…