The Manor and Friends

A self-proclaimed jam-rock genre, The Manor and Friends incorporates many styles of music, including a fusion of reggae and funk.
Now West Virginia University seniors, the band reminisces about their first college jam sessions, attributing their humble beginnings to a few dorm room collaborations.
The Manor and Friends consists of guitarist Nick Adams, bassist Ivan Gonzalez, drummer Cassidy Brown, guitarist James Darragh, keyboard player Jason Leech and lead singer Nate Morgan.
All band members are currently WVU seniors, with the exception of Leech.
After spontaneous late-night guitar strumming on the steps of Dadisman Hall, the group of friends began to realize they sounded good together.
"We all realized when we played together that we had a sound that really clicked," Brown said. "We figured, why stop now when we could just keep playing, and having fun while becoming better musicians? We started playing house parties in the smallest rooms, but everyone was having such a great time and there was no pressure. Then we started pushing to play in more venues, and that’s really where we’re at now; having fun, making music, and gettin’ down with our friends."
Although their music is influenced by bands such as the Grateful Dead and Pink Floyd, The Manor and Friends adopted a unique, individual style.
"On the Spot," an improvisational instrumental recorded by the band, is a true display of the group’s musical chemistry and talent, and has been proven a popular hit when performed. The band’s mutual appreciation of music has majorly contributed to the
success.
"There’s nothing I’d rather be doing than playing music with my friends," Adams said. "I love the musical conversations we all have with each other. Sometimes, we make each other laugh just by playing. We have a great fan base, and when I see them dancing in the crowd it really makes me remember why music is so important to me."
A dream came true for The Manor and Friends on Oct. 22, when the band took the stage at Morgantown’s premier music venue, 123 Pleasant Street. When discussing their goals in the past, performing there was always near the top of the list.
The Manor and Friends believes they could not have come this far without the continued support of their friends. The first part of the band’s name, "Manor," refers to a residential complex a few members lived in during the formation of the band, while the second part, "and friends," alludes to the substantial role fans have played in the band’s career.
"The fans are as much of the experience as the band is," Gonzalez said. "When seeing us (perform) live, we try to create an atmosphere where we incorporate the fans. The band is the Manor and our fans are the Friends, and together we create a live experience that brings everyone together. It’s like being at a big party with 100 of your closest friends."
The band encourages fans to vote for The Manor and Friends online at morgantownmag.com for a chance to be featured in "The Best of Morgantown 2016." - The Daily Atheneum