House producer and DJ Canetis, the globe-trotting alias of Mark Mannara, has always had a knack for blending cultures, rhythms, and continents into his energetic brand of dance music. Now, with his latest single 'JOANA', he turns up the heat with a samba-fueled homage to Brazilian spirit, language, and nightlife.
Born in Italy and shaped by the pulse of New York’s underground, Canetis dives headfirst into Brazilian funk and house, crafting a sun-drenched anthem that’s as playful as it is powerful.
So with the new single available now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
I never really fell in love with an instrument. I would say I fell in love with the ability to make something out of my own imagination. The ability to create something out of nothing.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
When I was younger I listened to many genres of music that ranged between Hip Hop/ Rap, House, Indie Rock, Rock.
What was the first album you remember owning?
One of my first albums that I owned was the Marshal LP by Eminem. I was so captured by the way Eminem could tell a story in a matter of 3 minutes and convey all emotions. Eminem definitely influenced my way of thinking when it comes to writing and transmitting the proper emotion even through sound in my instrumentals.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
I don't really wish to have written anybody else's music, just because I love discovering and sharing music so much. I think this is where my DJ side comes in. I've always been a crate digger, a curious music listener and I love discovering new artists that provide something new to my ear.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I wouldn't say I have a steady process. I think inspiration strikes and I have to put down a raw idea of what the song is going to be like and then I work on making it a reality. A lot of my music has started on my voice notes: humming, yelling, singing. If you were to listen to it you might consider me a crazy person, but in order to let the raw idea out you need to get the weird original thought out in order to then mold it over into what will eventually be the final product.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Lately I have been influenced by a lot of Brazilian music in all genres: from bossa nova to House Music, to Brazilian Funk. I have been listening to artists like: Ze Roberto, Luedji luna, Jobim, which also helped me with learning how to speak Portuguese. I also listen to a very wide spread demographic of music. I love listening to music from all over the world especially if i haven't heard it yet.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
I would love to open for Lorenzo Cherubini also known as Jovanotti. I love his approach to creation. Jovanotti is an Italian Artist that focuses on World music and it shows in his sound although his music is in the Italian Language.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Being a source of relief for a complete stranger. If I can make one person's life better, for the time being, through my sound, I feel accomplished.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The anxiety that you get before dropping a track, but then you remember how hard you worked and how much of your soul you poured into it, so it goes away.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Stop caring about what other people say about you. Release the music, someone needs to hear it.
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Canetis' new single 'JOANA' is out now. Watch the new video in the player below.