Manic Drive Chats with Hallels About Their Brand New Album "VIP"

By Timothy Yap Oct 03, 2014 12:55 AM EDT

After a three-year wait, Toronto-based MANIC DRIVE will release their brand new studio project, VIP. Over the past decade, this award-winning trio has built a loyal international following, fostered by their infectious brand of power-pop and a genuine commitment to a relationship with their audience. Now, on October 14, a new season begins with the debut of their fifth studio album, VIP. We are honored to be able to catch up with them for this exclusive Hallels' interview.

Hallels: Thanks for your time. It has been 3 years since you have a brand new album, what have you been doing in between albums?
Since the release of Epic, we have been incredibly busy on the road. We have done back to back tours with Newsboys, Building 429, Audio Adrenaline and Royal Tailor. It has been amazing! Among our intense tour schedule, we have been writing for "VIP" between tours.

Hallels: Congratulations on the forthcoming release of your brand new record "VIP," you have chosen to go the independent route this time, why is this so?
Thanks! We are incredibly thrilled about this release. Actually, Manic Drive has been, for the most part, independent. We have licensed albums through distribution companies in the past and have continued a relationship with indie label Bema Media. The big difference with "VIP" was that this project was funded by our maniac fans through a pledge we started. We can't thank them enough for their love and support.

Hallels: Have you approached the making of "VIP" differently compared to your previous albums?
Stylistically, the music carries familiar traits from our earlier releases. You'll still hear a fusion of Rock, Pop, funk and edgy Electronic Dance Music however, this release specifically has a more organic vibe. With our previous album "Epic", there was layers of programming, auto-tune effects, and more of a synth/keyboard driven style .Which was incredibly fun to orchestrate and write, but for this release we wanted to challenge ourselves to add more organic and acoustic instrumentation for "VIP". You'll even hear a banjo on this album.

Hallels: What do you think is the take home message that you want your listeners to grasp after hearing "VIP"?
The continuing theme for "VIP" is simply stating how precious and important we are in the eyes of God. Sometime we measure importance only by the size of the wallet we carry or the lavish lifestyles of celebrities. And I'm sure flying around in a private jet would be amazing, however, if we allow ourselves to only think that this lifestyle will grant us eternal happiness or better favor with God, you'd be wrong. We are all chosen with gifts and talents to contribute to this world. We all of access to have a relationship with God.

Hallels: I really love your new single and video "Save a Life." For our readers who have not heard it yet, can you tell us what the song's about.
Thanks."Save A Life" was actually released as a single back in 2012. It recently gained more momentum with the film "God's Not Dead" as it was part of the soundtrack. "Save A Life" shares the teaching of being the hands of Christ and reaching out. It can be the most simple gesture that impacts a life and changes it forever.

Hallels: If you have to choose 2 songs from the new record you are most excited about, which would they be? And why?
Man, that's tough! I'm personally really proud of our opening track "Electric" featuring Trevor McNevan of Thousand Foot Krutch. It's such a fun style of Hard Rock, Funk and Dance. Another track that speaks to us is "King of Mercy". Shawn (Vocals) spent a lot of time carefully writing and orchestrating that song. It was a theme that was moving us at a time and speaks to us personally in our everyday walk.

Hallels: For our readers who would like to purchase "VIP" or find out more about you, where can they go?
"VIP" hits stores across America Tues, Oct 14th and can be purchased online anywhere you can buy and support music. You can also reach out us to by joining usin the world of facebook, instagram and twitter. C'mon! All the cool kids are doing it!