Nathan Manaker Reclaims The Title of Side Character in New Single
All images courtesy of Izzy Astuto, edited by Nathan Manaker
Nathan Manaker, Maine-born indie artist, has always felt a little bit like the side character. “As a queer kid, you watch all these TV shows and begin to develop the inherent sense that you’re supposed to just be supporting,” he says. But, this characterization never sat right with Manaker. On January 12, 2023, he released his newest single, “Side Character,” to prove this idea wrong.
Music has always flowed through Manaker’s veins, instrumentals popping into his head randomly and refusing to leave him alone. “Often, when I write music, it's to express an emotion that feels too big to just talk about,” says Manaker. “If I don’t like the way I’m feeling, a song can excuse that feeling, in a way.”
Manaker is rather unique as a musician, having fun with his branding just as much as the music. He likes to make “stuffed animal on your bed” songs and his press reflects that: whimsical, with a sardonic twist. “I think the fact that I’m studying marketing makes me much more cynical,” he confesses.
Despite his own reservations, Manaker’s image is irresistibly tongue-in-cheek. It has been carefully curated over the years, as this isn’t the first musical persona he’s taken on. “I was the only kid doing the artist thing, for a while,” Manaker says. “I think my branding made me different.” After past musical experimentations that, for the most part, couldn’t be kept on streaming platforms, he wants this new single to serve as a total rebrand.
“After past musical experimentations that, for the most part, couldn’t be kept on streaming platforms, he wants this new single to serve as a total rebrand.”
“Side Character” originally came as an idea for a theme song-of-sorts. “I wanted to write something for the walk from my apartment to school,” Manaker casually drops. The marketing is based on this very cool idea; [it screams] early 2000’s. With so many TV shows from this era where their only image of queer people is the sassy, gay best friend trope, it can be difficult to define your queer identity outside of that. Through the single, though, Manaker has provided himself a lovely chance to reclaim his identity.
Manaker’s voice is very nostalgic, produced to emanate a classic, retro sound on purpose. It sounds like something you could hear from the radio in your childhood bedroom. When thinking of instrumentals for songs, Manaker will more often than not reach for a xylophone or toy piano — paying special attention to non-traditional instruments. Such music is comforting, but can become lyrically devastating the more you listen.
“I’ve always hoped that I can reach out to others with my music,” says Manaker. “I can’t be the only one who feels this way.”