Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Manzone
Hi Robert, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. In 2014 I started my own local band by the name of Searching Serenity, and over the next four years we played a number of shows around Jacksonville as well as surrounding cities across Florida and Georgia! In 2018 this band turned into a solo project which I have continued to write for and have self produced 9 albums as well as a number of other songs and singles. Through my time in this band I began venturing out into additional areas as well! As a UNF Alumni with a BA In music production, I’ve had the opportunity to produces songs and albums for a number of bands and projects of many different styles. As I’ve ventured through different forms in media, I began taking up photography in 2022 and have had the chance to shoot many concerts and festivals, ranging from small local shows in Jacksonville all the way to giant festivals in Orlando FL, Savannah GA, and even Dallas TX! As of this past year, I have had the opportunity to join the band With Blood Comes Cleansing as their vocalist, and have played shows across a great area of the southeast, and have more plans coming up for exciting shows in Illinois, South Carolina, and more.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has been very rocky for sure. As with anyone trying to find their way, I hit my fair share of roadblocks in many different ways such as booking clients, finding how to best advertise my work and skills, and more. It has not been easy, but as I have grown in personal experience as well as grown my portfolio, I have found more ways to manage and have gotten more comfortable with how to best navigate this world in my way!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a musician at heart! I have played guitar since the age of 9, and have managed to put that into practice with my band Searching Serenity, in a variety of church worship teams, and more. I went to UNF and acquired a degree in music production which opened the door for me to write and record my own music, as well as to record and produce music for others as well which has granted me the ability to connect with so many people beyond my normal scope. I am proud of my work that I’ve done, with 9 studio albums of my own band Searching Serenity, as well as a variety of other albums I’ve written and/or recorded for a number of other bands. With my recent involvement in With Blood Comes Cleansing as the new vocalist, I have enjoyed getting to travel more and getting to meet and perform with a variety of artists that I have admired for years such as Chelsea Grin, Gideon, Signs Of The Swarm, and more. With the addition of photography under my belt as well, I have loved getting to expand my experience with a variety of concerts that I have gotten to shoot as well as events like weddings, engagements, family portraits, and more.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My best advice for someone starting out is to not give up when things are hard. You are going to face difficulties and you are going to question if the path you’re on is right for you. Stay headstrong, trust in the Lord and trust in yourself, and keep sticking to your goal and you can make it happen!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.robertmanzonephotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robert_manzone/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blazfuturama/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@searchingserenity8929
Image Credits
Matthew Zagorski, Harlan Sasser
