Q&A: Manley Returns with ‘Sleeping on a Certain Side of Someone Else’s Bed’ EP
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
Photos By Jon Del Real
AFTER A FOUR-YEAR HIATUS indie artist Manley is stepping back into the spotlight with their most ambitious project yet: Sleeping on a Certain Side of Someone Else’s Bed. The introspective EP, crafted alongside producer Caelen Perkins (formerly of Jacklen Ro), marks a turning point for the LA-based musician, showcasing a polished sound and lyrical maturity that highlights their evolution as both an artist and a person.
“This EP is a reflection of the journey I’ve had since my last release,” shares Nat Lee of Manley. “I feel more confident and proud of my music than ever before.”
Exploring themes of self-reflection, repressed emotions, and the aftermath of heartbreak, the project captures raw, unfiltered moments of personal growth and vulnerability. To celebrate the release, Manley will take the stage with a full band for the very first time at Permanent Records Roadhouse on January 23, 2025. Presented by Sid The Cat, the show will feature LA artists Charlie Havenick (solo) and Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit as supporting acts.
With their heartfelt, melancholy-infused indie rock—perfect for fans of Soccer Mommy, Snail Mail, and Big Thief—Manley’s long-awaited return promises to be worth the wait. Read below to learn about about the making of Sleeping on a Certain Side of Someone Else’s Bed.
LUNA: What inspired your return after a four-year hiatus with Sleeping on a Certain Side of Someone Else’s Bed?
MANLEY: For a while, I was focusing on making my other dreams come true in my main career. There was a period of my life where I was traveling a lot for work, then I hunkered down in LA, where I was consumed by long days in an office and a lot of overtime. While I don't regret taking that path, a lot of my creative passions were put on the back burner—like creating music. I had written many of these songs years ago but kept procrastinating the recording process. These songs are very defining of my personal life in my early to mid-20s. So before I get any older, I finally decided to light a fire under my ass, full-send it, and reach out to Caelen Perkins to help with my vision.
LUNA: How did collaborating with Caelen Perkins influence the sound and feel of this EP?
MANLEY: Caelen is a talented multi-instrumentalist, producer, and overall music savant. I consider my playing abilities average, and I certainly don't know the ins and outs of Logic. Being able to lean on Caelen's technical and creative expertise helped flesh out the sound I was hoping to achieve. I was able to be honest and authentic with him in expressing my ideas, inspirations, and opinions. He pushed me out of my comfort zone lyrically and vocally, introducing me to concepts I hadn't tried before. Although I wrote the songs, Caelen gave them life with the guitar, bass, and harmony parts he conceived. I would show him songs that influenced me and try to articulate an abstract sense of what I wanted to apply to my music. Caelen immediately understood the assignment. Without his help, the songs would sound much more rudimentary.
LUNA: Which track on the EP feels most personal to you, and why?
MANLEY: Work In Progress was written as a self-imposed exercise of trying to "paint a portrait" of myself through songwriting. I pondered, "How do I communicate the kind of person I am? What do I want people to know about me?" The sentiment I try to convey is that I'm a bit scrappy and imperfect. However, it was also an exercise to acknowledge the things I enjoy about my personality. Though the song derives so specifically from my own inspiration, I hope listeners identify with the multiple facets within themselves and how, despite our flaws, we can improve. We're all works in progress.
LUNA: The themes of repressed emotions and self-reflection are central to the EP. Was there a specific moment or experience that shaped these ideas?
MANLEY: A couple of years ago, I decided to take a break from dating and relationships. This gave me the emotional bandwidth to focus on myself and my loved ones before being consumed by infatuation. Partly, this EP reflects those residual feelings of heartbreak and desires for intimacy. Landmarks is a good example—it captures nostalgia for a past relationship while standing stronger in the present by accepting that it's part of me, but I’ve moved on.
LUNA: Why did you choose “Bad Memory” as the lead single for this project?
MANLEY: Simply put, it's my favorite track on the EP! I feel like it features my best lyricism and sets the tone for the rest of the songs. It's self-reflective, relatable, and a tad humorous. It's about my awful memory—any friend of mine can attest to it. I often forget key details about my loved ones or even when I last hung out with someone, even if it was just the day before. It’s also about shoving bad memories deep within my psyche and avoiding confronting them. The song details my process of journaling and facing those dark feelings. At the end of the day, this is still a challenge for me, but the song lets me poke fun at myself.
LUNA: How are you preparing for your first-ever full-band performance at Permanent Records Roadhouse?
MANLEY: I'm holding rehearsals with some extremely talented band members who are also amazing solo artists—Caelen Perkins, Charlie Havenick, and Jess Kallen. Being the bandleader while never having led a band is nerve-wracking, but they’re so experienced and patient. I can rely on them for advice that improves my playing ability and confidence on stage.
LUNA: What’s one thing fans can expect from your live show that’s new or different?
MANLEY: This is the first time I’m hearing my songs backed by other musicians, and it’s exhilarating to hear them brought to life. I’ve only ever played solo sets in the past, so I think fans will have a similar reaction to me—like, "Wow, I didn’t know I could sound like this!" The synergy and power of us playing together will bring a radiant energy to the show. I feel bolder with the band and am ready to lay everything out there.
LUNA: Your music has been described as “sincere, poignant, and raw.” How do you maintain that vulnerability in your songwriting?
MANLEY: I’m most inspired when I’m in a depressive mood—that’s when I’m called to cope by expressing myself musically. The compositions and lyrics you hear from this EP were written while I was sobbing in my room, lol. My favorite lyrics are literal but also have layered, metaphorical meanings. They imply something beyond just the narrative. I think that’s how I’m able to touch people—capturing real honesty and baring myself wholly.
LUNA: Beyond the EP release, what intentions do you have for this year?
MANLEY: My intention for the release was just to put it out there and see what happens. I’m not aiming for a ton of streams or attention; I just wanted to see this through to completion and play the show as a cherry on top. Beyond that, I’m focused on enjoying life—advancing my career, traveling, spending time with friends, and savoring my journey through young adulthood.
