Electro house producer No Mana and singer-songwriter SOFI unveil debut collaboration, “Digital Friends,” on Monstercat Instinct.
No Mana’s distinct electro soundscape has made fans of deadmau5, REZZ (who remixed his track “Clear”), Don Diablo, and more. Collaborating with names like Tommy Trash, i_o, and EDDIE, he effortlessly proves that his sound is for the masses. Showcasing his otherworldly sounds on numerous headline tours, No Mana has left a mark at iconic venues like Echostage in Washington D.C., Avalon in Los Angeles, and Sky in Salt Lake City. Gracing the decks of renowned festivals, including EDC Las Vegas, Dancefestopia, Imagine Festival, and more, his virtuosity has captivated a diverse audience with his unforgettable live performances. Also a visionary in the realm of art, No Mana not only creates his distinctive cover art and visuals, but crafts these pixel art masterpieces to mirror his 8-bit signature sounds. The visual journey of his Gravity A/V Set perfectly captivates the essence of his artistry, gaining significant attention with over half a million views. Making an impactful entrance on Monstercat, his debut record “Yesterday” landed #1 on Monstercat’s ‘Best Of Instinct’ in 2022, also earning him the title of ‘Best New Artist.’ His second Monstercat single “Out of the Dark” synced in Rocket League the same year.
Award-winning singer-songwriter SOFI brings a remarkable blend of talent and experience to the stage. From being the voice and writer behind deadmau5’s “Sofi Needs a Ladder,” and “One Trick Pony,” featured on the GRAMMY-nominated album ‘4×4=12,’ to working with the likes of Skrillex, Zedd, and Porter Robinson, and more, she has solidified her stance as a prolific voice in the electronic scene for nearly two decades. With a background in dance as well, SOFI has graced stages globally on iconic tours for Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne, and Motley Crue. You can also catch her on the big screen acting in films such as Velvet Buzzsaw with Jake Gyllenhaal, and movement directing, including the music video for Emma Zander’s “bad dream” featuring Jacob Elordi.
Inspired by the current digital era where friendships and connections forming online have become the norm, No Mana and SOFI artfully express the emotions of virtual relationships into the captivating danceable record, “Digital Friends.” Exploring the intricacies of online human connection, such as the sensation of intimacy and missing someone before ever meeting them, No Mana hones in on an elevated 8-bit journey with a touch of nostalgia and melancholy, primed to take over the dancefloor with an emotional melody at the core. Collaborating with SOFI proved to be the perfect pairing for No Mana as she inspired him to depart from his usual 128 BPM, pushing his boundaries to an irresistible 130 BPM on “Digital Friends.” This allowed for No Mana to explore a new path of creative freedom.
No Mana shares, “The “Digital Friends” dynamic is one of those concepts/themes that I felt should have already been condensed into a commonly used term or word given today’s culture, but I’m glad it’s now done in the form of this fun little song. The concept/theme brings up a massive unassuming combination of feelings, particularly nostalgia, melancholy and whimsy; and I wanted the production to resonate that by getting it to sound fun and danceable.”
SOFI adds, “The lyrics were written during the Covid lockdown, actually. I found myself being more active on social media, checking messages and connecting with people online I didn’t know in real life, way more than I normally do. At some point during one of those text conversations, the term “Digital Friends” came up, so I leaned into it, heightening the stakes and started playing with lyrics around the topic. Jordan (No Mana) and I have been friends for a few years now, so it was kind of inevitable that we’d collaborate on a song sooner than later. He is such a creative in all facets and just a great dude. I sent him my vocal idea and he produced the track. We went back and forth a bit on the arrangement and overall sound – it all just flowed easily!”
Fans can catch No Mana live at Mission Ballroom in Denver on March 30th opening for Jasson Ross and Audien, with more stops to be announced soon.
