Serena Pryne of The Mandevilles.

A phenom in the making. torontorox recently missed an opportunity to get these guys on Musicians In Bars Getting Beer. Here’s a brief  chat with Serena Pryne of The Mandevilles and an invitation to meet at your favourite bar for a beer real soon! 😉

Q: Can you tell us about the beginnings of The Mandevilles?

A: Nick and I started off playing in different cover bands back in the day, both hoping to form an original group. He fired his singer and I joined the band. We started writing our own songs and got signed, travelled a bunch and the band evolved over the years into what it is now.

Q: Which musicians or artists have you enjoyed working with the most?

A: Daniel Lanois for the win! We’ve recorded and played shows with Daniel, he’s tremendously wise and effortlessly cool. It’s amazing to be around him. We’re currently on the road with Heart and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts which is a total trip. It’s a game changer touring with legends. Joan’s a die-hard Orioles fan just like Nick.

Q: Where have been your favourite gigs?

A: The city of Goole in the UK is in the top five for sure. We played this tiny pub and
sweated out asses off with a roomful of rock and rollers. We’ve also had the honour to
play Paradiso in Amsterdam. It’s a breathtaking place to see in the flesh.

Q: How do you see the industry evolving?

A: We’d love to see it become a better place for artists. Maybe the artist isn’t rolling in dough but they can sleep at night when they have more control.

Q: What are you most proud of in your music career?
A: Finally doing things on our own terms.

Q: Any wacky stories from the road?
A: I would have to say the time Taylor left behind his passport at a train ticket window in Belgium. He thought he needed to show it in order to buy a ticket. He realized it was missing en route to Holland, so he went back to retrieve it. The ticket concierge said he’d already sent it on the following train. Taylor turned back around to catch up to the rest of us and the passport (which we now had in our possession). When we finally reconnected, we told him they dumped his passport in the garbage.

Q: Who wears the wackiest socks?

A: All five of us have pretty extensive colourful sock collections, but you can see Brett’s the best since he’s always expecting a flood.

Q: What is the future plan for The Mandevilles?

A: Write, write, write! We’re chomping at the bit to get back in the studio.

Thanks to the Mandevilles and friends for the use of their art and words and for answering my goofy questions. This is what the CD looks like and “It’s all us on this record. There are very few tricks, no Auto-tuning of the vocals, and we’re all playing real instruments on every track,” said Pryne.  The Mandevilles have taken one giant, definitive leap for rock and roll.
For more information, visit www.heymandevilles.com.