Well before Menya was in existence, Angie Stipe sat in her neon pink room on her single floral bed in Harrisburg, Pa., writing lyrics she knew were rebellious to her parent’s ears.
“Father knows best, what a joke,” were the words that started off “Hello Stranger,” a song that she didn’t know at the time would land her a prestigious spot in New York University’s school of Tisch, or “School of Rock” as Stipe likes to put it.
With only 26 students accepted into the school for the class of 2010, Stipe quickly became close with a couple of her fellow classmates, Nicky DeMauro and Richard James, which soon developed into the group Menya. DeMauro now goes by Coco Dame, James by Good Goose, and Stipe by Angie Ripe.
Menya, starting out as just small-town members with big dreams, has received attention from Blender Magazine, The Washington Post, and even Perez Hilton.
“Blending rap, glam, pop, electro, funk and gold lamé tights, Menya combined dj’d electro goodness with a big female lead presence all in a tiny package. It’s rare to find an act like this that distinguishes itself from the hordes of cookie cutter copycats that so long to be crystal castles, hearts revolution, and the like…but Menya proves that they have the formula down for success,” says Sheena Beaston, a music journalist.
Menya’s first popular song “Ripe” establishes their message of sexual empowerment in an unexpected raunchy but non-demeaning way.
“Girls singing songs about sex and stuff like that, it really exposes people’s double standards and limits,” Goose says.
Today, Angie Ripe continues to write lyrics that may make mommy’s and daddy’s uncomfortable, but instead of surrounded by pink and overprotective parents, she is living the dream traveling all over the east coast doing what she loves to do.
Menya often comes to Harrisburg, where they enjoy playing at The House of One Accord located on Maclay Street in downtown Harrisburg. Take a break from the bars one night and venture to Maclay Street where you can enjoy music by Menya and many other great bands.
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