MANifesto's Pinky Swear: "Come on boy, see about me" 
09 Sep 2021.

by Drew Rowsome

The best way to hype MANifesto's debut album Pinky Swear, is to direct you to the videos. Start with "Lady Marmalade" where the Labelle classic is reimagined as a hyper-sexual come on by hunky and hot cam boys. The already infectious song takes on a delicious masculine flavour, with the members of Manifesto all shining vocally without ever overdoing the melisma excess that marred another version of which we will not speak. These men work in tandem in service of the song, a double entendre metaphor for the subject matter. 

The songs on Pinky Swear - ranging from the Andrew Sisters homage version of the Chordette's "Mr Sandman," through goofing on the Spice Girls with "Say You'll Be There," to a dark take on Bananarama's classic "Cruel Summer" - lovingly embrace the history of girl groups while revelling in the sheer beauty of harmony and the male voice. The project's mastermind, R Kelly Clipperton (The Deep Ending, Play Us Something From Your Back Catalogue) says in the press release that “I’ve adored Girl Groups forever and desperately wanted to be part of their tribe. I’ve also loved singing with other voices: harmonizing and supporting, and realized I’d never attempted that with other Out Gay Men. The project developed out of these impulses.”

Clipperton scouted for like-minded souls and he says, "I first threw a dozen songs out and we just started singing. There were certain ones I really wanted to do like "The Promise" by Girls Aloud, but the rest were decided as a group based on what sounded good. There were a good half dozen that got shelved." When the harmonies and group dynamics were ironed out, "we sourced from all corners of our musical worlds to pull together the 25 musicians who played on the album. It is an even balance of electronic and live musicians." When asked about the distinctive saxophone solo that punctuates a rollicking version of The Pointer Sister's "Automatic," Kelly says "And yes, a few Kellygirls in there." 

Aside from the sheer joy of the music, Pinky Swear is also infused with some solid political motivation. As well as a glorious celebration of gay men and toying with gender roles, MANifesto also hopes to bring attention to Rainbow Railroad who have been working tirelessly to bring LGBTQ refugees to Canada. As Clipperton muses in the press release, "A big part of the journey is brotherly support. Gay men are rarely presented as unified in the public eye and are certainly one of the last great taboos when it comes to acceptance and understanding. This record is part Tribute, part Testimony, and part Triumph. There are so many communities and elements at play that have given us the lives we lead. We feel all of those are wrapped up and presented in this work. We, foremost, want to elevate ourselves as openly gay men within this concept; a unifying adventure, and secondly want to bring as many glorious souls along with us on the ride."

When it comes to MANifesto, Clipperton is firmly in the Beyonce or Miss Ross role, with the other four identified as Dionisio, Twaine, Icarus and Brayo. Yet in the videos, and aurally, they are five distinct egoless voices blending their distinct sex appeals into one organic whole. “Having a full spectrum of voices and experience was key,” notes Clipperton. Something for everyone.

MANifesto was created in 2019 and forced to germinate during a stifling pandemic. "Though it has been a challenge to keep afloat throughout this difficult year and a half," says Clipperton, "we honestly feel the timing couldn’t be better for a record like this.” It must also have been difficult to keep such an exuberant project under wraps. And, knowing Clipperton and his affection for spectacle and flamboyance, to not perform. Clipperton confirms, "Tours, whatever that might look like next year, will be full on with a band and dancers and pyro and J.Lo . . ." 

Most gay men, actually anyone with ears, is an unabashed aficionado of girl groups. I've lost track of how many boxed sets and compilations I have acquired over the years. I never tire of The Shangri-Las. But there is also a specific power that is embodied by institutions like the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, Forte and pioneers like Sylverster, Michael Callen, Jimmy Somerville, and Romanovsky and Philips. Male voices raised and ringing in unison and harmony. When MANifesto fuses those not-so-disparate influences, they are transcendent. Now all we have to do is wait for the dance remixes and the inevitable, and much anticipated, cover of The Pussycat Dolls "Don't Cha Wish Your Girlfriend Was Hot Like Me."  

MANifesto's Pinky Swear releases on Sept 10 with a listening party and live performance (invite only due to pandemic restriction) at Tiki Bar, 542 Queen St W (upstairs at the Bovine Sex Club) at 7:30pm.