Manatella’s first full-length album, Fashionable Neighborhood, was recorded by producer Jeff Panall at Husband Studios in Chicago, Illinois. A little bit softer than their previous release, Fashionable Neighborhood, feels like sharing a cold glass of beer with your best friends. Songwriters Lauren Chase and Alissa Leonard each have distinct voices and songwriting styles and with some songs lyrically and vocally collaborative, the album is full of sweet surprises. Simple chord progressions and catchy licks drive most songs on the album and guest drummer Adam Cisney of Chicago band Grinner fills each song with charisma and skill. Although they have been compared to the likes of The Softies and Mazzy Star, Manatella manages to make lo-fi sound full and upbeat. They are a girl group without the bubblegum and melodrama. There is an imaginative and literary edge to the songs. It’s a rock n roll lullaby.
Influenced by early American folk, the sixties psychedelia and by such groups as the Band, Wilco and The Mountain Goats, Chase and Leonard began playing together at sixteen. Along with bassist Nell Roland and drummer Mark Hubbard of Julius Airwave, they formed Isabella Parole in Jacksonville, Florida. In 2000, they self- released album Mutha America and toured the East Coast in support of it. Soon after Chase, Leonard and Roland moved to Tallahassee, Florida to attend Florida State University and adopted musicians Caleb Selman, Johnny Pemberton, and Nick Underwood of Tallahassee band Plastic Mastery. For three years the group recorded several EPs, became multi- instrumentalists and played many shows in the depths of Tallahassee, Florida. In 2004, Chase and Leonard relocated to Chicago, Illinois and were introduced to drummer Shelly Uehara through fellow Chicago musician Mark Janka of The Lesser Birds of Paradise and formed Manatella. The power trio consisted of pungent beats, catchy melodies, and lead bass. In 2004 they recorded EP Crack is the New Black, also with producer Jeff Panall at Husband Studios in Chicago. Crack proved to be a local favorite full of rich lyrics and energetic drumming resulting in gigs at infamous Chicago clubs such as The Abbey Pub, Open End Gallery and The Empty Bottle.
Manatella are currently playing shows in support of Fashionable Neighborhood and are planning a tour for fall 2007. Chase is also a member for Florida indie-pop group Bayonet and Leonard has worked with Brooklyn based band Affair D’Coeur and works under the solo pseudonym Kalissa.
