Hook N Sling is a one-man-show, known to those close to him as Anthony Maniscalco. He began his career in Australia but moved to Los Angeles in 2012. He is known for cleverly constructed, high-energy sets filled with uplifting electro house. We got to sit down with this energetic guy for a few short minutes prior to his Bumbershoot set to gain some insight on the hard work he is putting into his quickly developing career.
[divider]On His Roots[/divider]
Anthony shared with us that he began his career in the same manner as many electronic artists: by DJing. In 2007, He found he loved playing for a crowd while entertaining at wild house parties that regularly attracted upwards of 200 people. “It was crazy,” Anthony said, laughing and looking somewhat nostalgic for what must have been good times.
It was at those house parties that someone approached Anthony about doing a regular night at a club in Sydney. It was at this point that DJing really began to take off. After a few years of mixing, mashing and repackaging other peoples’ music, something changed in Anthony that led to working with a record label and beginning to produce his own tracks.
Eventually I wanted to put something of myself out there.
The desire for growth and change ultimately propelled him to leave Australia and relocate to Los Angeles to grow his career. Until 2011, he was working with an Australian label, although he was finding success touring around the world with names like Wolfgang Gartner. That year he also had a taste of world recognition with the Hype Machine #1 Take Me Higher, a collaboration between Hook N Sling and Goodwill.
2011-2012 was when I broke out of Australia and came over here.
It is with determination that Anthony has made a name for himself in the United States and the larger world of Electronic music. He keeps a busy touring schedule, especially during the summer months in the United States and Europe.
Hook n Sling performing at Electric Zoo 2014, less than 24 hours before landing in Seattle to talk to DMNW and perform at Bumbershoot. Photo credit: sensiblereason.com
Boots on the ground is truly what he’s got. In this he’s not alone, but it’s still dizzying to think what it must be like to travel and perform constantly.
I flew out here today from Electric Zoo, and I am flying back East tomorrow. I’m doing Nocturnal Wonderland next Saturday night, then I’m in Tokyo all week. I’ll be working in Osaka for 4-5 days, which is the Vegas of Hong Kong. It’s the gambling mecca of Asia. I am so excited to go there for the first time.
Anthony has a really happy, easy-going demeanor, and he lights up extra brightly talking about traveling to new places and performing for new crowds. When we caved in and asked about the toll that constant traveling must take, he seemingly shrugged it off. Clearly he’s dedicated to doing whatever it takes to keep growing.
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