For this writer feature, we have somebody a little bit different, as our feature Angelo Manzoeillo is a lyricist—but nonetheless, an amazing writer.

Angelo is a thirty-five year old singer-songwriter born in Arizona, raised in Chicago, and eventually finding himself back in Arizona. He graduated from the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Science in Arizona and he’s written both albums for his band, which can be found under the name “Breakeven.” He has also worked with other incredible bands across a number of different genres like Screamo, pop, punk, gospel, country. If you’d like to listen to Angelo’s band on Spotify, you can do so here, or check out other projects he’s helped work on like “Notes From Underground” or “On The Run“ by the band “1997.” Follow him on Instagram @alwaysbreakevenangelo.

What have you worked on?

I’ve been lucky to have my own band and work with so many talented bands over the years. I’m currently in the process of recording an album for my band, Always Breakeven. Most of my band’s music can be found under the band name “Breakeven.” Over the years as other bands came up under the same name, our music got tied to each other, so I thought it’d be best to rename. Under Breakeven, I’ve done one full length and an EP so far with this band. 

Before Breakeven, I was in Skylines Calling where I wrote all the lyrics and helped co-write the music. I also did all the production on that album (and way back when we were known as One Man Crowd). 

I’ve also been honored to work on other band’s albums. For the band 1997, I did full engineering production and mixing for the album “Notes From Underground”. I also did pre-production work on the album  “On The Run” for them.  I’ve also done full production work for the band Aim At Your Enemies.

What are you currently working on? When/where will it be available to listen to?

I’m currently working on a new full length album. It’ll be 11 brand new songs. I’m super excited to share it. My plan is to have it available online before the holidays. I just got back from recording drums with my most amazing friend and drummer, Mike Licari. So now the rest is up to me. For the first time ever, I’m also hoping to have vinyls created for this album. 

How would you describe your type of music? 

I would call it pop rock and emo. My biggest influences are Third Eye Blind, Saves The Day, and Taking Back Sunday. 

Have you ever written a song with somebody else, or are you exclusively solo?  

On my old band, Skylines Calling, I wrote all the vocals and lyrics but co-wrote the music. It’s completely different from producing an album though. When writing your own lyrics, you’re so tied to them–the story is all yours, it feels like it is a piece of you. When producing though, you have a sort of relationship to the project. You’re able to take an unobstructed view and say, “Hey I think this would sound better this way” or “I think we should rearrange this part.” It’s a really big collaborative experience, so it’s really cool to be on both ends of that. So in a way Producing is kind of co-writing.

What made you to write your first song? What was it about? 

The first song I remember writing was called “Enjoy the Flowers.” It was back in early high school. I really wanted to date this girl, and got this idea to give her flowers. Though, nothing came of it…. so hence the title…

Of all the songs you’ve written before, which one is your favorite and why?

It’s so hard to think of what my favorite song I’ve written is, I’ve got to give you a couple. First is a song from the band Skylines Calling song “Trust.” It’s a really personal song. When I wrote it, I was actually really proud of it, which surprising enough was a bit odd for me. Being an artist, I always feel like it’s never perfect or good enough—always a work in progress.  

Other than that, I love the song “I’m Not Sure” by Breakeven. It’s just so catchy and we got to make a music video for it which was so fun. A lot of great memories from making that video that will be with me forever. 

Overall though, I have to go with “Grass Is Greener” by Breakeven. It’s just an honest song about how to be happy with what you’ve got and where you’ve come. My grass is just as green, but it’s just a different shade. 

While I was wrapping up recording that EP, I was about to move from Illinois to Tennessee. I was having a going away party with so many of my friends who inspired the album, I decided to have them all sing and record the end of that song. I’m flooded with memories whenever I listen to it. It was really cool to take them with me in that way. 

If you were talking to a younger version of yourself, what advice would you give? 

Don’t settle for mediocrity or stagnace. If people aren’t ready to fully commit then why waste your time with them? 

How does inspiration come to you? If you sat down and forced yourself to write, could you? 

Inspiration is such an oddity. It never has a rhyme or reason (no pun intended). It strikes at the oddest times. I couldn’t be forced to sit and write–It’d be too hard. I just have to let it happen and let go of my filter. I relate it to being told in school to read and immediately becoming uninspired to do it. 

Most often, I’ll hear something and it will spark an idea. Or, I’ll just observe life and words will hit. I start building from there to write a line or two. From there, I’ll try to build it into a song. 

If you could write a song with any other artist, dead or alive, who would it be and why? 

I would have to go with Stephen Jenkins of Third Eye Blind. They’re my favorite band of all time and one of the very few I never skip when I’ve got music playing.

What’s something most people don’t know about the music industry that you wish to be false? 

Make friends wherever you can. The connections will definitely help, but at the end of the day those relationships are really what’s important. 

Thank you to Angelo for his interview! If you’d like to be interviewed for my blog, send me a message on Instagram @elizarkent.