Canada’s genre-bending, Country-Punk founder Manny Blu brings fans another glimpse into his upcoming DEViL EP with the release of the collection’s first ballad “Valet,” alongside fellow Montrealer and SiriusXM Top of the Country finalist Brittany Kennell. While definitely one of the most traditional country-sounding songs found on DEViL, Blu continues to push his punk-inspired mentality forward by embracing the fact that an acoustic country ballad is the perfect, unexpected addition to the EP tracklist.
“I’m so excited I got to work with a fellow Canadian artist Brittany Kennell on ‘Valet’,” said Blu on today’s release. “Canada’s country music fans have been there since day one for me. This is the most traditional country song on the EP and it reminds me of growing up there and watching Shania Twain achieve global success. It only made sense to have an incredible female artist like Britt on it with me. I’m so humbled she came onboard and made ‘Valet’ what it is.”
Kennell is also having quite the year. In addition to her spot on Top of the Country she has just released her new track “Bought the T-Shirt” that fans will find on her debut album coming out in September 2021.
“It’s funny because I moved back to Montreal from Nashville when Manny made his move down to Nashville from Montreal – we totally swapped places,” said Kennell. “I couldn’t be happier that we somehow still connected and got to record this song together. Nashville has an incredible collaborative community and I’m so excited Manny and I get to bring that to Montreal and Canada too.”
Written by international heavy-hitters Aaron Eshuis, Ryan Beaver, Ryan Hurd, and Joe Clemmons “Valet” was an easy song choice for Blu as it speaks to his own personal journey over the past year. After reconnecting with an old girlfriend while spending 2020’s quarantine back home in Montreal, Blu returned to his home in Nashville and dreamed of the days when the borders would open so he could bring her down and showcase the life he built. “Valet” tells the story of a couple falling in love while experiencing some of the most cherished Nashville spots, romanticising the place that Blu now calls home.
Blu’s previously announced DEViL EP will debut on August 20th and features five songs written by some of Nashville’s most esteemed writers including Ryan Beaver, Jessi Alexander, JT Harding, Brinley Addington, Anthony Smith, HARDY, Craig Wiseman, Aaron Eshuis, Joe Clemmons and Logan Wall. Centring around testaments of love and self-reflection, the forthcoming release will provide fans a look into what Blu has been experiencing this past year, both personally and professionally. Blu describes the EP as “an ensemble of songs that have a variety of skill sets and sides of me as an artist that I haven’t shown before, and is probably the most complete project I’ve released to date. I think DEViL has elements that call back to what I’ve released before and what I have coming next.”
DEViL Track List:
“Train”
(Ryan Beaver, Jessi Alexander, and JT Harding)
“Might As Well Lead”
(Aaron Eshuis, Joe Clemmons, and Logan Wall)
“Valet” Ft. Brittany Kennell
(Aaron Eshuis, Ryan Beaver, Ryan Hurd, and Joe Clemmons)
“Rusty Things”
(Ryan Beaver, Brinley Addington, and Anthony Smith)
“Circle Up” – Ft. Blaine Holcomb
(Ryan Beaver, Michael Hardy, and Craig Wiseman)
Keeping busy this past year, the former hockey player and MMA fighter, launched the live performance series Live & Turned Up on his Official YouTube page HERE. Known for his dynamic live performances, Blu and his band wanted to recreate the energy of a live show in each Live & Turned Up series. The series setlist includes The Pretty Reckless’ “Death By Rock and Roll,” “BLOW,” originally performed by Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, and Chris Stapleton and Blu’s originals “’95” (only available in series), “Old Money,” “Burnout Town” (from Blu’s 2020 sophomore EP), and “X on My Heart” from his 2019 debut. The original series’ momentum led to a Live & Turned Up Vol 2. that kicked off on April 30th with a Machine Gun Kelly cover of “Kiss Kiss” (here) and includes live performances of his original songs, “Train” and “Playback” (from his album Leave It Like It Is). Live & Turned Up Vol 2 is filmed at the historic Exit/In in Nashville, TN, which has been the focus of a campaign to preserve its historical existence.
Fans can stay up to date on news and announcements from Manny Blu by checking out his website or following along on Instagram and Facebook.
