Our Words

Junkyard of Trivialities (demo)

MANA are an Irish band based in Berlin featuring Greg Clifford, Shane Byrne and Niclas Liebling. ‘Nauseating Me’ is the band’s sophomore single following on from ‘Our Words’ (July 2024). Their sound is a synthesis of indie rock and post punk elements fused with guitar tones reminiscent of the late 70s and early 80s, while the lyrics allude to defiance and hope in the face of polarization, cynicism and displacement.

Shane Byrne, the group’s lead guitarist cites, The Smiths and The Police as sources of inspiration for his arpeggiated playing style throughout the track; ‘I wanted to capture the nostalgic sound that epitomised 80s guitars but with a modern post-punk spirit. The interplay between the rhythm and lead guitar creates a dreamy yet edgy sound-world’.

According to lyricist Greg Clifford, ‘the song is not explicitly about any one thing, it more so alludes to themes and notions such as romanticising recalcitrance, wanderlust and liberation, while starring into the inescapable abyss of a world strung out on fake news, quotidian click bait snares, spam, fraudulent authorities and relentless terms and conditions. Hard not to get nauseous when contending with the current state of play’. 

The track, which was engineered by Irish punk legend Pete Holidai and Lucrezia Gnagni, is accompanied by a music video filmed by Stephen Golden in Berlin, while Ian ‘Werkhouse Flynn’ mixed and mastered the song in London.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgcR_-I3lYw

Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/album/5OGXRXQMF2iuzUPCSjrG4g

Instagram: @manaband.official
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manaband.official

Nauseating Me

Let's Live & Die - Live Acoustic Version (Junction Bar, Berlin, August 2024)

Junkyard of Trivialities

MANA, the Berlin-based Irish trio known for their raw, atmospheric sound and potent lyricism, return with new single, "Dead End." The track is a compelling exploration of self-doubt, existential angst, and the fight for personal growth in an increasingly fragmented world.

At its core, "Dead End" is about the tension between being stuck in a cycle of anxiety and self-deprecation and finding the courage to break free of self-imposed shackles. As Greg Clifford, the band's vocalist and lyricist, explains:
"Dead End is about being denied access to the best version of yourself — either externally or internally — and the desperate need for change. It's about taking a leap of faith, rolling the dice, exploring the realms of possibility and essentially embracing authenticity".

This theme of navigating through uncertainty and self-doubt is epitomised by the powerful lyric, "Nothing should be static, so jump into the dark." The line captures the essence of the song: no risk, no reward. A call to action for those stuck in limbo, urging them to welcome change, take chances, and step into the unknown, even when fear looms large.

Musically, "Dead End" offers glimmers of hope, yet remains tinged with melancholy — a characteristic hallmark of MANA’s sound. The band’s mix of brooding post-punk atmospherics and indie rock energy creates a space where solace and solidarity can be found in an uncertain, disenchanted, and polarised world. 

With Shane Byrne's captivating guitar work weaving through Niclas Liebling's pulsating basslines, MANA delivers a track that is both introspective and energetic, embodying the push-pull of personal conflict and the desire for change.