Review Fix Exclusive: Sgmaniak Talks ‘Prayers on Ice’ And More

Review Fix chats with Sgmaniak, who discusses his career in music and so much more.

About Sgmaniak:

Sgmaniak (pronounced S. G. Maniak) is an artist from Gainesville, Florida, currently based in New York City. Known for creating experimental, confessional music, moving effortlessly between college heartache and real world ennui, his self-produced releases have struck a chord with listeners across the globe. 

Now unveiling a nine-track album, The Global Heart Awakens, the release sees some of Sgmaniak’s most hi-fi work to date. Taking a heavy, musical dietary intake from jazz and neo-soul, the music is reminiscent of Frank Ocean, D’Angelo and Kaytranada. Showcasing an electronic glaze, the musician blends his indie-soul sound with some rockier influences to create something that is both striking and memorable 

The album follows a rough patch in the songwriter’s life, where he struggled with anxiety from his own life, the world around us and the mass spiritual awakening happening across the planet. From climate change, the death of George Floyd, presidential elections and the Covid-19 pandemic, all these events took its toll on Sgmaniak, turning to meditation and nature to learn to be alive here and now, instead of worrying about things we can’t control, hence the album title. The songs across the album all reflect an undercurrent of anxiety as it feels almost impossible to find the answers for so many things, he shares, “I just want people to feel that the human spirit is the brightest light, and that nothing is impossible. If I can achieve that I’ll feel happy.”

Review Fix: How did you get involved in music?

Sgmaniak: When I was little I loved classic soundtracks like Phantom of the Opera and Star Wars. I wanted to be a classical pianist like every cool kid, except I was too lazy to practice. One day I was playing Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4 on Gamecube and I heard ‘TNT’ by AC/DC. From then on it was teaching myself guitar, full speed ahead.


Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?

Sgmaniak: I like to start with a soundscape, or a beat. I think of music very visually, usually the lyrics are secondary. I think I’m able to capture my emotions much better with sounds that with words. If I can write some good lyrics too then it’s a bonus.


Review Fix: What inspires you?

Sgmaniak: Lots! Friends, family, growing plants in my apartment, playing chess, just being alive in New york city. I love obscure foreign films too. Some are really hit or miss, but when you find a good one they can be unforgettable.

Review Fix: How has CO-Vid affected your art?

Sgmaniak: I’ve never been much of a collaborator, but feeling cut off from the world has actually caused me to reach out and get help on The Global Heart Awakens from tons of good musicians. I have to say the result is beautiful. Thanks, covid!


Review Fix: What does music mean to you?

Sgmaniak: Any song can be its own universe if you allow it to be.

Review Fix: How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you?

Sgmaniak: You lie down next to a quiet river between some deep green mossy trees. You lay there with a good book or whatever suits you and time begins to heal you. When you stand back up, the sun is shining through the treetops and it’s a beautiful evening. You feel inspired to continue the adventure.


Review Fix: How are your live shows different from your studio work?

Sgmaniak: Very different. You’ll have to come to find out. But I’ll say this – it’s my goal to put on the best live show in New York City.


Review Fix: What inspired your latest single?

Sgmaniak: A feeling of hopelessness in the world. I wanted to convince myself and others that hope is precious.


Review Fix: What are your goals for 2021?

Sgmaniak: I’d like to collaborate with other artists/producers more. Hit me up on instagram, @sgmaniakk

Review Fix: What’s next?

Sgmaniak: I really wanna become a good chef. I feel like when I cook a meal, there’s a 50/50 chance my girlfriend won’t like it. I gotta up those odds.

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About Patrick Hickey Jr. 13819 Articles
Patrick Hickey Jr. is a full-time Assistant Professor of Communication & Performing Arts and Director of the Journalism program at Kingsborough Community College and is the chairman of the City University of New York Journalism Council. He is the Founder and Editor-In-Chief of ReviewFix.com. He's also a former News Editor at NBC Local Integrated Media and National Video Games Writer at Examiner.com where his work was mentioned in National Ad campaigns by Disney, Nintendo and EA Sports. Hickey was also the Editor-In-Chief of two College Newspapers before he received his BA in Journalism from Brooklyn College. Hickey's work has been published in The New York Daily News, The New York Times, Complex, The Hockey Writers, Yahoo!, Broadway World, Examiner, NYSportScene Magazine, ProHockeyNews.com, GothamBaseball.com, The Syracuse Post-Standard, Scout.com and the official sites of the Brooklyn Aces and New York Islanders. His first book, The Minds Behind the Games: Interviews With Cult And Classic Video Game Developers was released in April 2018 and is chock full of interviews with legendary developers. His second book in the series, The Minds Behind Adventures Games, was released in December 2019. His third book, The Minds Behind Sports Games, was released in September 2020. His fourth book, The Minds Behind Shooter Games, was released in March 2021. The Minds Behind Sega Genesis Games and The Minds Behind PlayStation Games were released in 2022 and The Minds Behind PlayStation 2 was published in January 2023. Hickey is also a contracted comic book writer, currently penning his original series, "Condrey," as well as "The Job," "Brooklyn Bleeds" "Dem Gulls" and "KROOM" for Legacy Comix, where he serves as founder, owner and Editor-in-Chief. Hickey Jr. is also a voice actor, having starred in the 2018 indie hit and 2019 Switch, PS4 and Xbox One release, The Padre (also serving as English language Story Editor), from Shotgun With Glitters. The sequel, The Padre: One Shell Straight to Hell was released in February 2021- Hickey also served as a Story Editor and Lead Voiceover performer. He has also done narration and trailers for several other titles including The Kaiju Offensive, Relentless Rex and Roniu’s Tale. Hickey is also the lead voiceover performer on Mega Cat Studios’ upcoming title WrestleQuest, responsible for nearly 90 characters in the game, as well as Skybound's Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood, where he voices both Dracula and Renfield, as well as several other characters. He also stars in Ziggurat Interactive’s World Championship Boxing Manager 2, where he performs the VO of nearly every male character in the game. He also worked on the Atari VCS’s BPM Boy.

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