Erica Manzoli Talks New EP, Single And More

What is your earliest musical memory?

I remember watching a YouTube video as a child of a girl playing the flute. I can’t remember exactly what the video was, but I remember thinking it looked so beautiful and elegant. I became completely obsessed with the flute after that and begged to learn it. I don’t really play it anymore, but that was definitely the first moment that made me fall in love with music.

When did you begin songwriting?

I was lucky enough to have a piano at home growing up, so I would always sit and play around with little melodies. But I didn’t start properly writing songs until I went to performing arts school at about 14. That was the first time I really started taking it seriously and trying to turn ideas into full songs.

You have your new EP First Girl On The Moon out now. How did you want to approach the making of the EP?

The EP is really a collection of songs I wrote over a few years. I wasn’t specifically writing with an EP in mind at the time, but when I looked back at the songs they naturally fit together as a body of work. They all sit in the same world emotionally and sonically, so it ended up feeling like quite a natural collection.

Where did you record the EP and who produced it?

The EP was recorded across three different studios with three different producers. Suzy Loves Sam, Breakup Blues and First Girl On The Moon were produced by my long-time collaborator Andysocialclub. He’s really championed my project and we wrote those songs together with J.C. Don.

Dear Other Woman and Burn The Internet were produced and written with George Gianluca in his home studio. He’s quite a recent collaborator but we clicked straight away and have a lot more songs we’re excited about. Princess Prudence was produced by Hugo Silvani from Pale Waves and written with Hugo and Benjamin Francis Leftwich. I’d wanted to write that song for a long time and they really helped me find the words for quite a tricky subject.

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the recording sessions?

When we were writing and recording Suzy Loves Sam, we kept playing the trailer for the film Moonrise Kingdom by Wes Anderson over the track while we worked on it. The film was the main inspiration for the song, so we used it almost like a reference point to make sure we were capturing the right feeling.

Did you use any particular instruments or equipment to help you get a particular sound for the record?

We used an Omnichord on Suzy Loves Sam and First Girl On The Moon. I absolutely love that instrument. I use it a lot in my covers as well and it has such a beautiful, slightly nostalgic texture that really suited the world of the EP.

Which of your new EP tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

The happiest is definitely First Girl On The Moon, because it’s about the excitement of falling in love for the first time. The angriest would probably be Burn The Internet, which is about the darker side of being online and things like internet stalking. The most reflective song is Dear Other Woman, which came from a very personal place.

Who were the musicians who were on the album with you?

The instrumentation was played by the producers themselves.

Does the EP’s title have a specific meaning or significance?

The title is really about that feeling of falling in love for the first time and suddenly seeing life from a completely new perspective. It feels almost monumental, like discovering something for the first time. First Girl On The Moon is quite a silly and grand way of expressing that feeling.

Was it a difficult EP to write?

I often find that the songs that come most easily tend to be the most honest ones. Quite a lot of these songs actually came very naturally, which is unusual for me. They seemed to arrive quite quickly once I started writing them.

Who designed the EP artwork?

The artwork features me sitting on a giant moon. I worked with set designers to build the moon prop, and we photographed it inside a mini theatre. The photo itself was taken by my close friend Elsie Matilda.

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

I grew up in South London. I’d describe it as busy, creative, rainy, loud and full of character.

How do you look after your voice?

Honestly, I probably should be better at it. I try to stay hydrated and rest it when I can, but I’m definitely someone who just hopes for the best a lot of the time.

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2026?

Yes, I recently had my sold-out headline show in London at The Grace, which was really special. I’ll also be supporting Eileen Alister and Em Beihold on tour across Europe.

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

I hope people feel understood, and I hope they’ve been properly entertained.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments or gear?

I love playing the Omnichord on stage. It’s such a beautiful instrument and I’ve actually modified mine with a guitar strap so I can play it while standing up.

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

Honestly, I’d probably love to write something for an early 2000s Barbie film. Those films were such an iconic part of my childhood and the music in them is surprisingly emotional and dramatic.

One of the tracks is the title track single. What was the inspiration behind the song?

The song is about the feeling of falling in love for the first time. Sonically it’s inspired by the space-age sound of the 1960s and plays with some of the classic, slightly cliché sounds you’d hear in old sci-fi films. It’s meant to feel playful and a bit tongue-in-cheek.

Do you have an official music video for the single?

There isn’t an official music video for the song at the moment.

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

I’ve been really loving Goldie Boutilier recently. Her song Cowboy, Gangster, Politician is amazing and I’d definitely recommend it.

What makes Erica Manzoli happy and what makes you unhappy?

Hot water bottles, herbal tea and big cosy blankets make me very happy. Being cold definitely does not.

Feature Image Photo Credit: Supplied By Perspective Communication

Erica Manzoli’s EP’First Girl On The Moon’ is out now.

Connect with Erica Manzoli online at:
 
https://linktr.ee/ericamanzoli
https://www.tiktok.com/@ericamanzoli
https://www.instagram.com/erica.manzoli