Thanks for joining us today. Tell us a bit about where you’re from and how you got into music.
Frida: I’m from Brooklyn, New York, but I only started writing and making music when I moved to Cleveland about five years ago. I grew up in a very insular community in Brooklyn and didn’t really have access to music or creative freedom. Cleveland is where that opened up for me.
Adam: I’m from northeastern Ohio — the Cleveland area — born and raised in what I like to call the rock ’n’ roll capital of the world. I got into music around 11 years old. My dad always played guitar and sang purely for his own enjoyment, and that side of my family is pretty musical.
My grandfather was big into bluegrass and actually taught me how to play guitar, so I ended up learning bluegrass with him when I was about 11, which really laid the foundation for everything that came after. After that, my dad got me my first electric guitar when I was in eighth grade, and it was all downhill from there. I started getting into bands like Nirvana, Soundgarden — the whole grunge scene — along with Metallica and Pantera, and from there everything just kept evolving.
What’s the live music scene like in your city righ tnow? Anyone we should be looking out for (bar you, of course)?
Frida: Cleveland is amazing. There are great people here and incredible friends I’ve made through music. Come out and support some local shows — you really won’t be disappointed.
Adam: The live music scene is very active, with all different styles and genres represented. Cleveland has insanely talented musicians everywhere, and we’re very fortunate to be rubbing elbows with so many of them. One band that’s definitely worth checking out is LoConti — a wildly talented group of musicians.
Do you think it’s easy to become a victim of our surroundings sometimes?
Frida: We’re all a product of our surroundings — not necessarily good or bad, and not always as a victim. What matters is knowing that we get to choose differently if we want. We get to want different things. We get to change our minds.
Adam: Absolutely. We’re all products of our environment — our surroundings shape and mold us. It’s often only once we step outside of that environment that we’re able to really see how things truly are. At the same time, you don’t fully understand those realities unless you’ve actually lived within that surrounding yourself.
What’s your favourite social media platform to use and why?
Frida: I have a love–hate relationship with social media, but I’d say Instagram. It was the first platform I really posted on, and it became a way to let everyone in my life know I had made huge changes. That was terrifying to share, but also incredibly helpful.
Adam: For me, it’s Instagram and TikTok. Lately, TikTok has really stood out — it’s much more dynamic and has been great for discovering new music, new people, and new ideas. It’s also incredibly entertaining, which makes it easy to stay engaged.
We believe it’s essential to have a presence on Facebook ,Instagram, and X. What are your thoughts on that?
Frida: It’s incredible how much reach social media gives you. I know amazing artists who decided the price was too high and deleted social media altogether — and I know others who post constantly. I honestly find both paths admirable.
Adam: I’d agree when it comes to Instagram, but Facebook, to me, feels pretty dead, and X just isn’t interactive enough for my liking. I haven’t used X a whole lot, but when I have, I tend to fall off of it pretty quickly. TikTok, in my opinion, is definitely the most lively platform across the board right now.
What’s your view on the music industry today?
Frida: I don’t really know the industry. I know my fans and my band, and I’m actually pretty happy where I am right now.
Adam: The music industry today feels like a mix of old school and new school. Twenty years ago, when it came to PR, marketing, and distribution, you pretty much had to be signed to a record label.
Today, artists can do it all themselves, but it takes a ton of effort and you really have to know how to wear every hat. You don’t even necessarily have to leave your studio to be successful, but live music is still where it’s really at. Most musicians are working multiple jobs just to support their craft, which makes it even harder.
It often feels like everyone is making money off the artist and their music while the artist isn’t seeing much financially. That said, recognition still holds a tremendous amount of value. The music industry has always been tough, and it probably always will be.
What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned recently as you progress with your music?
Frida: Keep showing up. When things fall apart, show up. When it’s hard, show up.
Adam: Everything takes time — and timing really is everything. Also… staying on time when you’re playing definitely helps too.
What’s currently in your ears and on rotation at the moment?
Frida: I’ve been listening to a lot of handpan music lately — honestly, a lot.
Adam: Lately I’ve been listening to Portugal. The Man’s new album SHISH and The Black Keys’ No Rain, No Flowers.
What was your worst experience on stage? Any funny stories to share?
Frida: My first open mic in Nashville. I was terrified and drank, thinking it would help. It didn’t — it was pretty terrible.
Adam: My worst experience on stage was when my guitar rig completely went out right before my solo. I couldn’t figure out what failed or how to shut things down properly, and it was incredibly frustrating and embarrassing. On a lighter note, I’m actually a licensed physical therapist, and during rehearsal our drummer’s back was really bothering him. I got him on the ground and started treating him.
Physical therapy can look awkward, and when the rest of the band walked in, they had no idea what was going on. Everyone started stretching, and our bassist Stefan recorded us all laughing, telling people, “This is actually what we do at band rehearsal.”
Got any fun or funny stories from life on the road?
Frida: The best moments are when fans share how they’ve connected to the music. That connection is powerful.
Adam: Touring with a previous band, we were broke and just trying to make it from show to show. One summer night we had nowhere to stay, so we set up tents on the tree lawn of a Walmart parking lot and camped out on the grass. People would drive by asking if anyone was in there, then peel out when we crawled out looking filthy. We’d wash up in the Walmart sinks while customers walked by — just a bunch of dirty dudes cleaning up like it was totally normal.
I hear you have new music. What can you tell us about it?
Frida: Monsters was hard to release. I wrote it while I was in a lot of pain and fear during a major transition in my life.
Adam: We have a new song called Monsters coming out January 30 on all streaming platforms, along with a music video shot and directed by Jake Harness in Cleveland. This is one of our most anticipated releases because it really shows a different side of our band and our musicianship. The song was written by Frida and is very personal to her, and as a band we were able to help develop it into what it is now. We’re incredibly excited to finally share it, and we’ll also be releasing more music throughout the year, with another new track expected around February or March of 2026.
What was the recording process like?
Frida: We did it in about two takes. Super easy. Super true.
Adam: We recorded the song at Lava Room Studios in Cleveland, Ohio with Mike Brown. Lava Room is one of the best — if not the best — studios in Cleveland, and it’s always been a dream of mine to record there. The workflow was smooth, Mike made everything easy, and we’re extremely happy with how the final product turned out. Overall, it was a great experience.
Would you change anything now that it’s finished?
Frida: All of it — and none of it.
Adam: I think there’s always something you’d want to change once everything is said and done. As artists and musicians, we’re rarely ever fully satisfied. That said, now that it’s finished and ready to be released, it is what it is, and I wouldn’t change anything at this point. If you gave me the opportunity, I’d probably find ways to make it even more epic and dramatic.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with the world?
Frida: If you’re reading this, thank you.
Adam: You can find us on all social platforms @fridaandthemann and at fridaandthemann.com. We’ll be releasing ultra-limited 7-inch vinyl singles of Monsters on release day, January 30, along with cassette tapes of the single. We also have merch and physical releases from previous projects available on our website, Bandcamp, and TikTok Shop. Support physical music and analog audio — it’s a great experience and creates a deeper connection between the artist and the listener.
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