Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Alexander.
Hi Ryan, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am Mandu Soul. I’m artist out of Lynchburg, Virginia. I’ve consider myself as laidback with an ear for the classics. I’ve always been into music in one form or another. Church Choir, Chorus at school, Singing in my car being a road warrior. If you ever passed me on the road, you probably seen me singing. It was just fun for me, Nothing I took seriously. That was until one of my friends told me, ” I need to stop playing around and take it seriously”. “If you ever make your own music then I’d buy it”. That lit a fuse under me. I started writing my own original music. This all happened pretty quietly. I didn’t really tell anyone what I was doing either. Whenever inspiration hit me I would put in work. It was at a slow pace too. I officially started this Journey in 2020 during the shutdown. After every paycheck I’d move a little money to the music fund to afford beats and studio time. I took stories from my experiences and those of others around me. I got in contact with producers, and other musicians. Then I planned on how I’d share it with the world. I appreciate those who helped my get to this spot!
For the past couple of years I have been working on creating my album “Entelechy”. It means Realized potential. Or it can translate into “Soul” Even the name Mandu has a bit of meaning to it. It was a name given to me meaning “Joyous” in Sanskrit. They thought it was a good description of me, so it stuck.
I would describe my style as fresh with an old school flare. I’m had so many influences growing up. From Hip-hop artists like Ludacris, Andre 3000, Naughty by Nature and Some of my Virginia favorites like Missy Elliot, Timbaland, Chris Brown and Pharrell.
R&B is what I really gravitated to. Michael Jackson, Lauryn Hill, Justin Timberlake, Kool and the Gang, Earth,Wind and Fire. Those sounds molded me. I can really enjoy any genre if it speaks to me.
I plan to take this as far as I can. I just like creating. Even creating my own lane. These are all stories from my eyes. My perspective. I’m hoping I can make all who hear it move in some way. Emotionally, physically, spiritually. Something to make you think, something to make you bounce. I want to make something timeless.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The other Challenge is that I found that no one really wants to help you start. You’re invisible. Once you get things popping they will jump on board. “If you build it they will come”. But whenever I asked for help I rarely got it. There have been so many No’s on this journey; years worth. Would you like to help me create a song? No. Would you like to sing background for me? No. Would you like to shoot a video for me? No. Would you like to make a band with me? No. And sometime it wasn’t even a no. You would just never hear from the person again. What’s worse is when they say, Yes. Would would make make plans then when it comes time to do something, it doesn’t happen. Most people don’t understand the time and effort it takes to put things together. That’s frustrating. That is something I had to overcome and learn not to take it personal. Just smile and keep it moving.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have a more 90’s R&B feel. People have told me they have a sense of nostalgia listening to this album. I think I specialize in taking people on a journey. There is a bit of story time. I hope my words can form a bit of introspection within others.
I’m extremely proud that I got this project off the ground through much trail and error. I know there is some much more in there.
I don’t want to tell people what or how to feel about myself or my music. Nor do I want to emulate anyone else. I do however, want bring a sense of class and good culture to whatever I put my hands on. I want to continue to make music that is distinctly Mandu Soul.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I’m an introverted person. Most of what I do is out of my own enjoyment. However, there are so many layers to me that you won’t know of until you spend time and experience life with me. I have a wide range of interests and goals; I’m just finding new ways to explore them all.
One thing that sticks out to me is that I think integrity goes a long way. I want to work with those of great character. I feel like sometimes the world can be dark. There is a lot of disillusionment out there. There also seems to be a lack of understanding and of accountability. I don’t know what the future holds, but I plan to continue to conduct myself in a way that I can be proud of all that I am. God has blessed me with many gifts and opportunities. It’s a personal aim; I want to hold myself to the standard I have set for myself. In affect, “Be the change, I want see in the world”. Even if it just one person at a time, I hope my presence can bring amelioration(Growth).
Musically I just want the freedom to express myself. I hope people feel that expression whether that means brightening someones day or finding connection in similar experiences. Perhaps as a collective we can build a movement.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://beacons.ai/mandusoul
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iam_mandusoul/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Mandu-Soul/61579681021191/
- LinkedIn: https://itunes.apple.com/US/album/id1863509478?app=itunes
- Twitter: https://x.com/IAM_ManduSoul
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@IAm_ManduSoul
- Yelp: https://open.spotify.com/album/6ndEmQf2DGsxku4mjv2jli
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/mandusoul
- Other: https://mandusoul.bandcamp.com/album/entelechy
