Manny Torres was born in Michigan but his heart belongs in Chicago. The musician has made a name for himself as a solo artist performing mostly acoustic originals as well as covers which he shares on social media, but his true career can only be appreciated in the Windy City where he is constantly performing at clubs and festivals as well as fronting a cover band he describes as “some of the best musicians in the world.” We caught up with Manny Torres to talk about the importance of our immediate community, the life of a working musician in this age, and songs as legacy.
Sofar: What made you decide to pursue music?
Manny Torres: My love for music started in church. My father is a pastor, so I would sing in church every Sunday and Wednesday. That’s where I discovered that I have a special talent and that I could do this for a living. When I was in Junior High, I auditioned for The Voice and made it all the way to the blind audition but the teams had already filled up; I didn’t get a chance to sing in front of the judges, but that experience made me realize that this could be a possibility for me.
What made you want to pursue this particular path in music?
I love how music can change the atmosphere of a room. You can have crappy music at a party and the vibe would be all wrong; but if you get a hot band playing the right songs, the energy of the room can liven up and bring the people together. That’s what I’m interested in doing with my music.
I moved to Chicago [from Michigan] when I was 18, I fell in love with the music scene here and I wanted to be involved in it. I was very ignorant of what it takes to make a living playing music, I didn’t know any better and could only think of getting more gigs. But I’m very entrepreneurial and I’ve always had ambitious goals; being a starving artist was not a possibility for me. I figured there’s a way to make a living playing music that wasn’t going the popstar route. You can do what you want to do in your own backyard.
The key is to be constantly working on my craft, demanding the most out of myself to give the best possible experience for people. I’ve always wanted to be honest about singing stories, performing, and having fun. I’m still figuring it all out. I take it day by day. If I keep being a local Chicago guy playing for people who support me, I’m cool with that.
What drives you to keep the life of a working musician?
I have done some side hustles. My wife and I started an Airbnb management business during the pandemic because there were no gigs. What keeps me going is that my greatest fear is being on my deathbed looking back and wishing I could have tried harder.
I don’t care what age or where I am in life, I need to keep going. I was gifted with this talent, I can’t not use it. I always expect to try to be the best I can possibly be, not just in music but as a person, husband, in church, in my band, and as part of my community. It’s the operation I’m trying to run. I always try to move forward.
How do you find a balance between playing originals and what covers you chose to perform?
When I moved to Chicago, the way to make money was singing covers at restaurants and hotels. Making original music has been a challenge because of that.
Back in Michigan, I used to write songs with my brother Zeke who still lives there, it’s a very fun thing to do with family. I have a lot of pressure to be perfect to the point of feeling like self-sabotage. I’m trying to lean into [writing] because that’s what I’ll leave behind for my family. It’s the stamp I’ll leave in this world.
Your Instagram page has you playing a mixture of covers and originals while also giving us a glimpse into your life. What do you think about how to navigate social media as an independent musician nowadays?
I look at it as a tool to promote my music. I’m not the type to post rants or do Lives even if that’s what fans want. I’m not that person, it would be inauthentic. I think that giving away all of you can’t be healthy.
Social media is the present and the future but I think you should approach it in a way that stays true to your values, you have to find a way to do it your own way. You have to tread carefully because, in the process, you can lose yourself and your values.
How do you envision yourself in the future?
My vision of the future is staying in Chicago and being a part of the community. Represent the scene, tour a bit and grow. I would love to put out more original stuff and lean towards something like Leon Bridges or Allen Stone with my own style and own the sound of Chicago. To be known as an artist driving this music community.
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Words by Marcos Hassan
Image credit: Manny Torres, photo by Orel Chollette
