Johnny Manna
(Bio by Christian Evanko)
Johnny Manna, 26, is a beloved Hudson Valley musician and aspiring lawyer currently residing in Fishkill, New York. As a musician Johnny has released over 20 songs since launching his solo career on October 12th of 2016.
“Music has been my passion since I was very young. As I got older, education became another passion. Recognizing both of those at the same time has its fair share of struggles, but maintaining a balance has me optimistic about my future.”
His career began with the release of his first single “Here Lies Hope." Paired with a visually stunning and shocking music video, something Manna has become quite known for. “Here Lies Hope” has remained a fan favorite of his. Over five years after its release, “Here Lies Hope” is still moving at a fast tempo, plucking its way towards 2,000 video views on youtube and consistently staying amongst Johnny’s top 10 songs across all major streaming services.
“To travel on this road could not be done without the part where we become locked” he sings in “Here Lies Hope." An eerily haunting sentiment that seems to have followed him throughout his life. Those who know him will attest to him being a person who gives his all to his passions and pursuits by locking himself into whatever road he travels down and not stopping until he reaches his destination.
“For as long as I’ve known Johnny he has been determined to create whatever he has envisioned for himself. He doesn’t let any obstacles stop him, he either finds his way around them or uses them as the catalyst for the next point in his journey.” Said Chris Osorio. Longtime friend and collaborator of Manna’s.
Manna has been performing in the Hudson Valley for over five years now, winning over fans in notable regional venues such as the Chance Theater and the Loft in Poughkeepsie, as well as the Cafeteria in New Paltz. Manna has even made his way up to the northernmost parts of the Hudson Valley music scene, playing several times at the famed Albany punk hole, Pauly’s Hotel.
“As someone who grew up having a very strong passion towards bands and artists that I really like, it's great to be able to, in my head, do what they did,” he said.
“Easy Street” out now on Spotify, Apple Music, and Youtube
Manna’s aspiration to be like artists who inspire him, Green Day and Lady Lamb to name a few, have pushed him far in his musical journey and has taken him on an east coast tour in the summer of 2018 where he supported fellow prominent Hudson Valley musician, Luciano Ferrara. For a week straight up and down the east coast, Manna was able to put his chops to the test; touring the east coast, extending as far north as Buffalo and heading as southward as Baltimore.
Adding to his reach, Manna’s music has been heard several times on the airwaves of 92.9/96.9 WRRV. Furthermore, he has appeared in the recent documentary “Doors at Seven," A film that sets out to outline the essence of the New Paltz “underground” music scene. A scene that Johnny cut his teeth in as a SUNY New Paltz graduate while pursuing his undergrad degree in Criminal Justice.
However, music is not his only passion. What is most compelling about him is his ability to balance all of the passions in his life. Manna is in his third year at Pace University pursuing a law degree. During this time he has learned just how difficult a juggling act balancing all of your passions can be. No matter the challenge at hand he has found a way to channel his childhood passion of music into current passion pursuit of law, as he has set his sights on practicing entertainment law.
Manna is an active member of the Pace Law School community, being elected to the “Sports, Entertainment, and Arts Law Society” as a 2L (second year law student) representative. The goal of the society is to establish a network for those interested in entertainment law at Pace, as well as to raise interest for those who may not be familiar with the field of practice.
During Mannas time as a member of the society he has organized and hosted a panel event featuring three different entertainment lawyers, all from the music and sports industry, who he had met through both his legal and musical career. “It was great to be able to take in the knowledge and experience they had to offer, and also to host an educational event for 1L’s at Pace who may have been curious about the entertainment industry,” he said.
Further diving into his Pace Law School community, Manna has served on several teams for Moot Court. A mock trial at the appellate level (court of appeals, Supreme Court, etc.) where students can participate. These teams then compete against each other in school organized events, with a reach extending as far as a national level. “I was lucky enough to make it onto a team and compete this fall semester. My team was able to advance to the octofinals. I’ve learned a lot from this experience so far and am very excited to compete again,” he said.
Through his pursuit of law Manna completed a summer internship in San Diego working for the Legal Aid Society of San Diego, an experience he found beneficial for both his budding law career, and music career. “It perhaps was not an area of law I particularly wanted a career in, but it was some of the most meaningful and fulfilling work I have ever done.”
Being the multifaceted individual Manna is, while in San Diego, he quickly became a staple at the 710 Beach Club, a weekly open mic in Pacific Beach. However, in California Manna’s drive to create music didn't stop in just one city. While on the west coast he took a weekend trip up to Los Angeles to record an original song with LA Producer Jeremy Rompala. A tune that is set to release early 2022. “It was a great place to spend the summer, I managed to achieve a perfect balance between my legal career and my music career,” said Manna, with hopes to visit soon and continue fostering those new connections.
As an academic, he has thrived in his field of study, excelling in Moot Court competitions, becoming a member of a law society, and taking an internship across the country to further fine tune his budding legal career. Johnny Manna is a perfect example of going as far as you can go, and then pushing yourself even further down that road. He is what forging your own path should look like.
