Ali Manges is just 19 years old and I think, once you’ve listened to ‘Tangerine Love,’ you’ll agree that it’s hard to believe this is the singer/songwriter’s debut release. A northwestern Indiana native, the talented songstress creates a warm and inviting atmosphere on the track. Sweet acoustic guitars and soft drums are the order of the day, but it’s Ali’s vocals and lyrical wordplay that steal the show. Her confident, silvery and melodic vocal performance is truly remarkable for someone so young. ‘Tangerine Love’ was recorded at Gravity Studios in Chicago with guitarist and friend Clay Hunsader, and Ali said that “the idea behind the song came from wanting to create something that sounded the way summer felt.” I think it’s fair to say she nailed it! Drawing on inspiration from the likes of Father John Misty and Maggie Rogers, the future is certainly bright for Ali Manges.
Breezy, floaty, and warm, ‘Tangerine Love’ is a beautiful little gem from an incredibly talented young artist.
INDIE TOP 39
What does the song mean to you?
This song is very close to my heart because I wrote in a time in my life where everything felt exciting and new. I put so many real emotions of mine into this song, and it’s fun to look back on them now a year later. Now, because it’s my debut single, it’s even more special to me.
Tell us about your creative process and how the song came to be?
I wrote this song on my bedroom floor a little over a year ago. I remember that I had the opening line,”Honey you must be a dream” playing over and over again in my head for awhile, and I sat down to try and do something with it. I just started singing the tune for the chorus over some chords, and it ended up being exactly the vibe I was going for. I wrote it when I was falling in love for the first time as the seasons changed from spring to summer. I just couldn’t get over how warm and summery the love was, and I knew that I wanted the song to sound the way summer felt.
What are your favourite lyrics in the song?
“When you look into my eyes, I see the past, the future, a different timeline/ unhinged state of mind.” I also really love the opening line, “Honey you must be a dream” because it was just a real thought I had all the time, and one of my first inspirations for the song.
What do you want to achieve in the next 12 months with your music?
In the next year, I would absolutely love to grow in my songwriting, as well as grow a little audience who enjoys listening. I am planning on putting out more music, and I hope that one year from now I will be able to record the album I wrote. I am also making a music video for ‘Tangerine Love’ that will be out on YouTube this month! I think success would be making music that I thoroughly enjoy, and whoever listens enjoys it as well.
Make sure to connect with Ali Manges on Instagram
Now you can listen to all the 39 songs in one place, right here on Spotify!
This coverage was created in collaboration with Musosoup as part of the #SustainableCurator movement.
