Meet Minni Manchester | Singer/Songwriter/Musician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Minni Manchester and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Minni, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
I think that all artists who are serious about their craft ask themselves the question of if they should keep going or give up. I used to ask myself this all the time, but when I took a step back and did some soul searching I found that the signs are always there for artists. Growing up, things sort of came easier for me with music. Writing, creating, everything involving music came easier to me than other kids. As I got older, the signs got stronger, I started to see God’s path and when I walked it, certain opportunities started to fall right in my lap. For example, when I was 19, I heard about a local band having auditions. I didn’t have to go, but something told me to. I listened to that little voice in my head, despite having severe stage fright and not having any formal music training growing up besides the chorus class I took in school so I had no idea what I was getting into or doing. Not only did I make the cut, but I later realized that it was God grooming me for my future and what I was born to do. After that, I started learning about performing live and the other aspects of being a true artist while touring with the band. If it’s truly meant for you, God will keep sending you signs and opportunities no matter where you are from, what resources you have, or what you think you should be doing. I grew up as a typical poor kid in Atlanta on government assistance, and my mama was a single parent working multiple jobs to support us. Being an artist, touring overseas, performing live etc. was the least of my worries and was not even something I would dream was even possible. Yet, somehow through all of those adversities music still found its way to me when it was time. This is how I knew I was meant to keep going and not give up.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My music is my diary. Everything I write and sing has been therapy for me since I was 8 years old. I’m most proud of the fact that through all of my pain, I am still able to maintain the professional aspect of being an artist. People look at artists like we are super humans, like we don’t go through things or have the same problems as everybody else but that is not true. I have family issues, deaths in my family, sicknesses, financial problems, all types of stuff going on just like everybody else. Honestly the stuff I went through in 2020 should have made me give up but i’m proud of myself for fighting through it and still release my project 69. I learned so many lessons throughout my journey. The main lesson I learned was that everybody has their own timeline designed for them. I got to where I am today professionally. with this mindset. In the past I would get upset when I saw other people who have openly said they have not been working hard or pursuing music that long gain so much success overnight. This was hard for me, especially knowing all of the years, effort I put into my craft and the hurdles I had to face to even get my foot in the door. Once I started having tunnel vision and only focusing on my own growth, more good things started to happen for my career. Thats what being Minni Manchester the soul flower is all about, recognizing areas of self improvement and working on that. Instead of competing with everybody else, I just compete with myself and thats what helps me reach my goals.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend came to town I would take them piedmont park first because its always events and fun stuff to do out there, especially if its a festival going on. I would show them Atlantic Station then take them to Houston’s, my favorite restaurant. I also like Apache cafe and would take them there too.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I was to give a huge shoutout to my elementary after school teacher Ms. Shalonda who showed me how to turn my pain into something beautiful through music.

Website: https://www.minnimanchester.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MinniManchester

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MinniManchester/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMrG3lPeuALJj3AwIbOqnA

Image Credits
Koeal Braxton Photography