Producer, composer, arranger, sound engineer and multi-instrumentalist, Andrea Manusso has collaborated with artists such as Ultimo and Mostro, ranging from Rap to Pop and Electronic Dance Music (EDM). His path began at Saint Louis College of Music, where he took the Professional Rock Blues Guitar course.
How did your connection with Saint Louis come about?
My father is a guitarist and teacher right at Saint Louis (Marco Manusso, ed.), so I pretty much grew up among those classrooms since I was a kid. Around the age of 12-13, I started playing guitar and experiencing the academy environment, and later attended the Guitar Rock Blues
What have been your discoveries in music education?
The big breakthrough was a more modern approach to theory: Solfeggio and Ear Training were no longer just exercises for classicists but living, dynamic instruments. This totally changed the way I look at music, making it more accessible and contemporary.
What are the fondest memories of your time as a student?
I take with me the American college atmosphere, the labs, the skill and helpfulness of the teachers, and especially the bonds with colleagues who are now friends and collaborators. It was a truly valuable period of human and professional growth.
What does it mean to be a Music Producer?
Being a Producer means being able to translate the artist’s emotions into a coherent musical product, guiding every step from writing to arrangements, from recording to mastering. It is a balancing act between artistic vision and technical expertise.
What are the dynamics that govern the Musician-Producer relationship?
Synergy comes from empathy: one must be able to listen and understand the other, build a human bond, and know when to stay close and when to keep a proper distance. It is a balance between sensitivity and professionalism.
What are you producing today as a Freelance Producer?
I am working with young emerging artists mainly in Pop and Electronic Dance Music (EDM), and I am pursuing an electronic project that I hope will open up new opportunities abroad. It is a very exciting phase of my career.
What would you recommend to a young music student?
I recommend never giving up, being stubborn and consistent. Talent must be cultivated with daily commitment, concentration and attention to detail. Every little step counts.
What Would you recommend to a new graduate to be successful?
Invest in human relations, network, make yourself known, be humble but determined. If you want to be an artist, believe in your music; if you want to serve music, stay open to confrontation and grow every day.
Who is your favorite musician and why?
John Mayer, because he combines the legacy of Hendrix, and other greats, with a style of writing and guitar playing that is refined, modern, and profound. It is a landmark that embodies tradition and innovation.
What is your favorite song that you would take to Noah’s Ark?
Lizzy McAlpine – Spring Into Summer. A modern song but with an “old-time” flavor, a ballad that relaxes me in tense moments.
