Nice Première was invited to the “inauguration” of Morgan MANZI’s recording studio. This sound engineer, who is also an accomplished self-taught musician, naturally engaged in a simple question-and-answer session. Curious and tenacious, he is determined to pursue his dreams. This young man from Nice has taken the step from being a casual sound engineer to becoming a business owner by generously opening the doors of his lair to Nice Première.
Morgan, why did you name your studio ICEBERG?
It’s a name that just came to me. I was looking for a name to play on words and did some research on the internet.
I came across an image that struck a chord with me. This word is neither English nor French; it’s part of everyone’s vocabulary. I also liked the idea of the submerged part because most of my work isn’t seen… even though it’s heard.
How do you become a sound engineer, what path did you take?
You get there by struggling, I think for most people sound is a passion.
It’s not like when you’re a kid and you say you want to be a firefighter, you don’t say, “I want to become a sound engineer.” I think, like all passions, it happens to you. You start getting interested in speakers, and the equipment you have at home, trying to understand how it works. Then there were the first concerts and little by little, you get into it.
How many years have you been doing this?
I really started doing sound, touching a machine with Chinaski about seven or eight years ago, it was the first concert I sound-engineered.
It’s quite a step to create your own studio, how did you conceptualize it?
I worked very hard. To fund all this I benefited from a youth challenge and put in a lot of work, and then 95% I received help from my family, they were there financially and morally as well. I also managed to get some small exemptions like the ACCRE which is available to young business creators.
Right now you are recording the band Amadeus Tappioka and after…?
After that, if all goes well, I have a few reservations, there should be the Nice band Dandy Ska, Chinaski, My Diet Pill, and Princess Cum, mainly local bands.
I think to start with, I will mainly work with people who know me, with whom I have already done sound and who already trust me. After that, of course, the goal is to expand and record people from all over France, abroad… even on planet Mars(eille).
What advice would you give to young people who want to do this job?
I would tell them to trust themselves. You shouldn’t let yourself be influenced by the idiots you sometimes meet in this field who put you down. You shouldn’t have too much confidence in yourself, but rather in your choices.
If you had to choose three artists to record, who would they be?
Radiohead, even if they’re not my favorite band I like their sound frenzy.
A good girl… actually lots of people, I would like Bono to just show up one day.
Does a sound engineer’s job limit only to recording a band or can you be asked to make ad jingles or announcements for phones, are you ready for anything?
I think for now I won’t have a choice. Even if this kind of work isn’t really my thing, I now have a business to run. The day I can refuse will mean that I am established and everything is going well.
My goal is not to push buttons all my life, eventually, what I want, “when I have paid off all my debts,” is to produce albums, to direct and invest myself fully, adding my personal touch.
Why? Isn’t that already the case?
Of course, but I’m not yet getting calls from the other end of France telling me they want to record with me.
Is your activity on a good path at the moment?
Let’s say that for a few months, the studio is booked after that, I’ll do what it takes to keep it going.
Thank you and see you soon, Morgan…
See you soon, Nice Première
