Wes Anderson Aesthetics and Vulnerable Truths: Inside Erica Manzoli's World

Tee Tolmar

Budapest born, Edinburgh based. Cultural journalist & photographer, with a passion for music and fashion.

We talk with singer/songwriter Erica Manzoli about her influences, musical and visual, ahead of her upcoming EP

From childhood performances in the family car to crafting Wes Anderson-inspired music videos on an independent budget, Erica Manzoli has always understood that music extends far beyond just sound. The half-Italian, half-English artist joins me to discuss her upcoming EP, the realities of building a career without label backing, and why vulnerability has become her greatest creative weapon.

Music was never a question for Erica — it was simply inevitable. She loved music growing up and always wanted to be a singer, but it was a birthday gift from her godmother that really helped her find her voice. Erica recalls placing her newly received microphone in front of her piano, and how it helped her understand her voice in a different way, leading her to find her airy, soft vocal style.

Her journey took a significant turn at the BRIT School, an experience for which Erica is very grateful, though she offers a refreshingly honest perspective on the famous institution. “They don’t make the stars,” she explains. “The stars go there because any kid that’s willing to basically forfeit their entire education over one subject at 14 years old already has the mindset that they want to do that thing for life.”

Rather than focusing on traditional music theory, the school excelled at fostering something perhaps more valuable: a community of equally committed collaborators, including the classmate who would later produce her first EP.

The isolation of lockdown proved unexpectedly transformative for Erica’s artistry. Having spent her late teens writing in sessions with others, she found herself needing to rediscover her individual voice. “I felt like I didn’t really know how to write on my own and I ended up writing a bunch of songs in my bedroom which ended up being the first EP,” she tells me. This period became crucial for understanding her creative process before returning to collaborative spaces with newfound confidence.

Erica’s commitment to authenticity extends dramatically into her visual world, where Wes Anderson’s influence becomes immediately apparent. “I think the film Moonrise Kingdom really left a mark on me growing up,” she explains, describing how the movie’s aesthetic shaped her entire artistic vision. The connection runs deeper than surface aesthetics; it’s about creating immersive experiences. “I want someone to listen to me and understand me on a deeper level, to have a feeling,” she explains, viewing music as just one component of a broader artistic statement.

Working independently has demanded creative problem-solving at every level. Erica was able to take full creative control over the visuals from the initial concepts to the execution, treating budget constraints as creative challenges. “I’ve impressed myself. I never would have thought two years ago that I was capable of making a short film,” she admits, whilst simultaneously expressing excitement for future possibilities with larger budgets.

Her upcoming EP represents both artistic and personal exploration. The collection ventures into emotionally complex territory, prioritising her truth over immediate commercial appeal. One particularly personal track, ‘Princess Prudence,’ addresses her place on the asexuality spectrum. “We live in a very hypersexualised pop culture world where I feel like it’s not spoken about,” she explains, hoping to provide representation for listeners who might not relate to typical sexual narratives in contemporary pop.

Erica has a real knack for showcasing intimacy in her music, with her track ‘Bunny‘ being particularly close to her heart. It’s a tender track written about her boyfriend and his nickname for her. Erica describes ‘Bunny‘ as “not complicated… not clever, it’s just… a good vibe,” and the song’s sweetness has undeniably resonated with listeners despite its specificity. ‘Bunny‘ and ‘Princess Prudence‘ demonstrate Erica’s commitment to exploring the full complexity of relationships and connection.

Her approach to mental health in songwriting proves equally direct. Having struggled with vulnerability in her younger years, she now finds that articulating difficult experiences removes their power to harm. “If I say something, it kind of just stops it from hurting me,” she explains. “No one can weaponise it against me.” Songs about dissociation and complex mental states become tools for normalising otherwise isolating experiences.

Looking towards the future, Erica expresses excitement about deeper exploration of 1960s influences and, hopefully, more opportunities for joyful songwriting. With her full EP soon to be released — her first complete body of work in two years — she’s eager to see how audiences respond to her most honest collection yet.

Listen to ‘Princess Prudence’ here: