Emerging New R&B Talent: Nathan Menard
Southern California musical artist and producer Nathan Menard creates soul-filled, dance-enticing R&B that invites listeners to dream again. With inspirations deriving from the late Marvin Gaye, his sound influences Nathan as he makes music for dreamers and romantics and encourages people to love life. As a songwriter, he writes music that the world can relate to, songs filled with life experiences, warmth, heartbreaks and breakthroughs that make his music that much more relatable and addicting.
Growing up in a family that wasn’t keen on music and no immediate musicians in his family, it’s unique to uncover his raw talent for music. “ When I was fourteen years old,my world was rocked, so to speak,” he says, remembering. “I heard a Marvin Gaye song, and it was the first time I had ever really heard great music. That moment honestly changed my life. I said I’d do whatever it took to sound like that and be able to make music that made people feel like I did that day: confident, dreamy, in love, and wanting to dance.”
From then on Nathan went on to teach himself how to play the drums, guitar, and piano. “I also taught myself production, song writing, mixing, and mastering. Up until this point, I’ve done everything on my own and have just learned to master my craft. I’m now ready to be heard.”
Nathan is thoughtful as he thinks about the impact he wants his music to make on other people. “I want to bring the zeal and color back to life and love. I think people have forgotten how to celebrate life, and I want my music to remind them.”
Nathan believes there is a lot that people can relate to in his music. “In my most recent single, “Lottery,” the theme of the song is the idea that I am a winning lottery ticket but end up in the trash. Everyone feels this way at some point, right? Whether it’s in the workplace, at home, or in their love life, everyone feels overlooked even though they have so much to offer. That’s what I try to put in my music: a full-blown comprehension of the world, love, life, music, and what all of that means.”
It’s hard not to like Nathan when he gives his answer to what success means to him. “Success for me would be someone who plans a surprise date for their lady, and at the end of said date, they light some candles and dance to my song with their girl under the moonlight. I also wouldn’t mind one of the more banging R&B hits being used for a Tik Tok dance trend.”
Nathan knows that he faces long odds in his profession. “However, I really believe in my core that I have something special to offer a listener. I know I probably sound like every single person that’s ever auditioned for American Idol, but man, my whole life I’ve been an optimist. I am filled with joy and a passion for music that is heard with the heart and responded to with dancing. I don’t take any shortcuts in songwriting or any when I express what I feel or mean. I’ve got music and life in me that’s just waiting to be released”. With his dreamy passion and overall robust joy for life that flows through his music, there is no question that Nathan Menard is an exciting artist to watch this year.
