The label ‘sensitive new age guy’ harkens back to a time when men owned up to their alternative outlook and open-minded sensibility, shedding the categorization of being emotionally unavailable, culturally apathetic and vastly uninterested in creative happenings or the fashionable community. To be a SNAG meant you concerned yourself with style, art, and equality; wore your heart on your sleeve; and were unassumingly sophisticated.
Pop artist Narayan Forest Lockett attributes the qualities of being a SNAG to his coming-of-age experience and fittingly created the brand, SENSITIVE NEW AGE GUY.
“Depicted through aesthetics are venturous attitudes about eclecticism and empowerment.”
As both an independent podcast and contemporary basics, SENSITIVE NEW AGE GUY takes form as a music show at Convicts radio, stationed in NoLita, and a tee collection, released in July. Music producer, Neuport, recorded a live DJ set at SNAG’s launch party, the mix now available for stream here.
Image via instagram
Lockett, CEO, director and producer, details SNAG as a media and design initiative taking root in free-spiritedness and counter culture, coincided with his attitudes about self expression and emotionality.
Depicted through aesthetics are venturous attitudes about eclecticism and empowerment. The upcoming SNAG radio talk shows will be veiled by modern personage in several genres. SNAG is expanding with a sister brand, SENSITIVE NEW AGE GIRL, concentrated to explore the feminist characteristics of alternative sensibility. The SNAG fashion design component comes abound with creatives instituted to portray what the Sensitive New Age Guy (and Girl) is, printed with original and collaborative graphics on organic cotton long sleeve t-shirts.
“SNAG curates underground happenings, audio outlet presentations and visual art tees, collectively connecting experiences among like-minded people and tasteful establishments.”
NL: In 2007, when I was 17 and Superbad came out. It was my first instance watching Michael Cera. His traits of thoughtfulness, delicacy and being reserved authentically represented my attitude in high school. I was aware I wasn’t as rowdy, degrading, or aggressive as other boys at school. I recognized my mannerisms and social etiquette as setting me apart. My style, tastes, and influences were different, and I used the words alternative and indie to categorize my choices in clothing, music and interests. Certain parts of my character were punk, skater, and “neohippie,” but nothing encompassed the wider spectrum of my identity. The term didn’t come to me until I was working as a barista at Happy Bones in Soho NYC in 2014. A regular at the cafe referred to me as a SNAG whilst waiting for his iced almond latte. He said he was called a SNAG growing up, and it stood for Sensitive New Age Guy.
“The influence of what is supposedly masculine has continually managed to keep men from progression and acceptance.”
CB: The brand works as a time capsule in a sense. When do you think you this shift took worldwide spread? When did men (not all) lose this way of thinking? And why?
NL: The term was initially used in the late 80s to mid 90s within Australian subculture, describing those of alternative standards and was meant in a derogatory context. Most men are too objective to appreciate a wide range of things and ideas presented to the world, and cultural difference in music taste and fashion sense increases alienation. The influence of what is supposedly masculine has continually managed to keep men from progression and acceptance.
CB: Growing up I felt like my dad definitely tried his hardest to keep me from accepting my sensitive and vulnerable nature as a kid. Why do you think these qualities are looked down upon when it comes to men, especially within the African American community?
NL: Sensitivity and vulnerability have been portrayed as weaknesses in masculinity. These attributes are innate in all kinds of people, and the picture of maleness has been manipulated to a detriment. The African American community, and the media in general, fetishizes being a gangster and perpetuates homophobia and misogyny. The lack of acceptance is limiting to the advancement of male representation.
CB: SNAG also has inspired its own music channel. Tell us more about that and what music people can expect to hear when they listen to it.
NL: I recorded radio shows during college to gain experience in broadcast media for a couple of years. The program came about when I approached the Convicts Radio board director after we met through mutual friends. We discussed music interests and had an instant connection. The Sensitive New Age Guy persona took form when I thought about expressing its essence in a podcast platform. The type of music collected on SNAG ranges from dance to ambient. It is eclectic and substantial. Every choice has a meaning and speaks to the relative concept of SNAG, to mirror its mentality and imagery. It’ll range from PARTYNEXTDOOR to P.M. Dawn.
“The African American community, and the media in general, fetishizes being a gangster and perpetuates homophobia and misogyny. The lack of acceptance is limiting to the advancement of male representation.”
CB: What’s a song that puts you in your mindset?
NL: The Blow’s “Fists Up” is a really heart wrenching song. It is an anthem for my adolescent years. Khaela Maricich sings,
CB: Who in your opinion are the top 3 SNAG artists out right now?
NL: Fetty Wap for sure. He came to fame crooning about what he does with his lady, how he values her, not degrading his “Trap Queen.” If I think about 3 artists representing the Sensitive New Age Guy they would be: Drake, for being so introspective, contemplative and unconcerned with the preconceived notions of what a rapper should be or sound like – Kanye West for as much of what I see in Drake, but additionally for pushing the limits of thinking outside of the box in fashion forwardness and utilizing your right to be who you want to be, and – Cities Aviv, for not conforming to the styles, trends, and production of other rappers in his generation. Gavin is truly special because he’s maintained a unique sound and voice through the onslaught of media being dispelled on the internet, and he’s been on it for a while. Even being established, he’s managed to remain contemporary. Those are my three favorite rappers, so I say they reflect me, and Sensitive New Age Guy, the most.
CB: How can people stay in contact with you and SNAG?
NL: Sensitive New Age Guy is updated on Instagram at @sensitivenewageguy. The podcast streams are available on soundcloud.com/snagradio. Coming soon the t-shirts will be available for sale at Sincerely, Tommy in Bedstuy, Brooklyn.
