Where are you currently based and where were you born?
Currently based in the St George area of Sydney. Born and raised in south-west Sydney – Campbelltown followed by Camden.
How did you first start playing the guitar/music?
At 3 years old, I’d mimic my idols as well as my father who was a passionate hobby guitar player. If you asked my parents, they’d say that the only thing that came natural was my work ethic and passion to play. I’d lock myself in my room with a singles record player and try to copy my favourite riffs and guitar solos for hours on end. Eventually, my father began to nurture my passion by creating practice routines that ultimately put me on the path of being the guitarist I am today.
What’s been happening recently?
My focus has been divided amongst a few exciting things – completing my album, filming an episode of Australian Story, booking a tour as well as spending time connecting with the world on a new platform – Twitch.
Your new single ‘Before You Check Out’ is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting for this track?
The vocals set the tone for the song. With the lyric being deep and at times confronting, I wanted the production to align a little more with the positive aspects of the message. I did this by keeping the tempo fairly up, and choosing appropriate instrumentation. Fingered acoustic, retro slide guitar, light percussion. On the flip side, I used 70’s influenced slide and trumpet to trigger “happy sad” emotions. Depth was achieved through big velvety keys, sub bass and piano from the bridge onwards. It was really important to me that the track stretched beyond simple folk production.
How did you go about writing Before You Check Out?
I wrote BYCO after attending a cousin’s funeral who sadly lost his battle with depression/anxiety. Having recently dealt with my own demons that resembled his, I identified strongly with what he went through and understood why he made such a permanent decision. One morning I woke up rattled with regret that I hadn’t reached out to him earlier and began to query myself on what wisdoms I would have shared. My life transformed for the better when I learnt how our thoughts and beliefs colourise our experience. When we aren’t aware of this, we can be misguided on what the source of suffering truly is. The chorus lines instantly came to mind – Before you check out, before you give in, just know you’re checking out of a place you’ve never been. Ironically, I wrote the rest of the song whilst sitting in front of a sunset that was right in front of me, yet too lost in thought to notice.
And you’ve got a new album due out August 6 too, you sure have been busy! Where and when did you record/produce and who did you work with?
Too busy!!! Ha! I’m looking forward to having my weekends back. The first 5 tracks were produced by myself, co-produced and mixed by Tony Buchen (Montaigne, Mansionair) with half of the recordings engineered at Free Energy Device by Richie B. I decided to take on the rest of the tracks by myself with help from the ears of friends to keep me from falling down unproductive rabbit holes! 😉
How did you approach the recording/production?
Many of these songs were written when I wasn’t intending to return to music. The demos were created over time purely from a place of catharsis. For most tracks, the aim was to do better versions of the demo and in some situations, we reverted back to takes used in the roughs! Influences were sub-conscious with flavours and styles forming organically with time. All songs bar one were chosen unanimously by myself and team. Let’s just say that if everyone around you passionately protests against the removal of a song -Listen! Fortunately, I did and with some love, it’s now close to one of my favourites.
What programs/instruments did you use?
Pro Tools for recording and mixing. Guitars, bass, real drums, sample drums, brass, keys, piano, vocals.
You’ve also made an amazing video to accompany the single, how did the concept for the video come about?
Synchronicity! I wasn’t intending on releasing a film clip with this song. Cornered by my team, the pressure was on to create a clip in 3 days. I had to come up with a simple idea that cost no more than $500 and remembered that I always wanted to do a clip with a projector. With the song being about how projections of the past can colourise our experience, I felt like the idea would make sense both visually and conceptually.
Where and when did you film and who did you work with?
I directed and edited myself with help from a DOP friend Andre Moonen who created the film clip for my song “Castles In The Sky”. Projector footage was archival from myself and 2 mates – Sean Boyd who did some work on a mindfulness clip I created some time ago for my vlog and a travel vlogger friend who had footage that took the visuals from being appropriate to also having a narrative.
What did you find most challenging and rewarding during the creation of the video?
Most challenging – committing to a deadline when I know little about film clips and had zero experience working with a projector!
Most rewarding was when we realised we had a clip that didn’t just aesthetically suit the song, but had an underlying narrative that helped to amplify the message.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
Broken Bells, Lana Del Ray, Khruangbin, Tame Impala, Father John Misty, Ry Cooder, Ennio Morricone 😉
What do you like to do away from music?
Go for hikes, take in beautiful views, enjoy all the simple things with my kids, TV series binging, surfing, training
You’ll be featured on Australian Story in early August, can you give us a clue as to what we can expect?
I can definitely guarantee that I’ll be seeing it for the first time when a million others see it! I believe it showcases my experiences as a child touring the world, battling Leukaemia and later in life how I came to get back in touch with myself and my art after dealing with relatable adversities.
You have a massive Australian tour coming that’s kicking off in October followed by Bluesfest in 2021, what do you have in store for these shows?
Contrast to how I grew up playing on stage, these shows will see me play songs and tell stories as a hybrid duo (2 guitars, sampler and at times, a trumpet player). As a kid, I just wanted to play music but these days I enjoy telling a story. Whether it’s about how music helped the healing process when I was sick as a kid to not knowing who Jimmy Page was when he asked me to sign a CD for him. I’m also very open about my struggles and feats with the hope of inspiring.
How do you prepare for shows and what do you most enjoy about playing live?
That’s something I’m still working on. At the moment, after getting comfortable at sound check, I might have a nap followed by some sort of walking meditation to get my mind and body in sync. If nerves run too hot, I have mental “anchors” to help keep me grounded that are used while I shake out my body.
The moment I open my eyes after losing myself to realise that everyone was right there with me. It’s a connection that I’ve never felt off stage. To have so many different walks of life come together over a song or a story is pretty fucking special. Post-show bliss is pretty amazing too!
Any tips for aspiring musicians?
Know why you play and never lose sight of it. For me, one half of the purpose is self-expression and catharsis but equally as important is connection. This means that I not only need to ensure that I’m expressing myself in an authentic way, but the way in which I do this needs to translate! Otherwise, I’ve only satisfied one half of my purpose.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
Pizza! Fucking DF/GF so I haven’t had it in years 🙁
Takeaways on the beach.
DEMONS NATIONAL TOUR
Nathan and his team are working with all venues in line with government regulations in each state and territory, and will proceed only in accordance with safe social distancing and COVID-19 safety procedures on a show by show basis.
FRI 2 OCT | THE RHYTHM HUT, GOSFORD, NSW | ALL AGES – UNDER 18’s MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY PARENT/GUARDIAN
Tickets available from www.humantix.com.au | 02 4322 5971| Venue Outlet
SAT 3 OCT | STAG & HUNTER, NEWCASTLE, NSW | 18+
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
FRI 9 OCT | BRASS MONKEY, CRONULLA, NSW | 18+
Tickets available from https://brassmonkey.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/18d325c7-57f4-43f7-9779-069c5f32ad7d
FRI 16 OCT | THE PEPPER TREE, ALDINGA, SA | 18+
Tickets available from www.trybooking.com | 0400 144 467 | All Trybooking Outlets
SAT 17 OCT | THE WHEATSHEAF HOTEL, ADELAIDE, SA| 18+
Tickets available from https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/6b22d472-26f5-44bb-924d-064150dd769c?utm_source=Oztix&utm_medium=Website&utm_content=EventGuide
FRI 30 OCT | CAMELOT LOUNGE, SYDNEY, NSW | ALL AGES – UNDER 18’s MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY PARENT/GUARDIAN
Tickets available from www.stickytickets.com.au | 02 9550 3777 | Venue Outlet
SAT 31 OCT | SMITHS ALTERNATIVE, CANBERRA, ACT | ALL AGES – UNDER 18’s MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY PARENT/GUARDIAN
Tickets on-sale soon
SUN 1 NOV | HERITAGE HOTEL, BULLI, NSW | 18+
Tickets available from https://codeone.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/a929a516-f7cd-4ab7-abab-fa2e8df6c7ea
THU 12 NOV | SOOKI LOUNGE, BELGRAVE VIC | 18+
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
FR 13 NOV | THE CATFISH, FITZROY, VIC | 18+
Tickets available from www.trybooking.com | 0426 892 044 | All Trybooking Outlets
SAT 14 NOV | LIVE AT THE BUNDY, BUNDALAGUAH, VIC | ALL AGES – UNDER 18’s MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY PARENT/GUARDIAN
Tickets available from www.trybooking.com| 0429 352 373 | All Trybooking Outlets
FRI 27 NOV | THE BAROQUE ROOM, KATOOMBA, NSW | 18+
Tickets available from www.trybooking.com| 0426 892 044 | All Trybooking Outlets
SAT 3 APR, 2021 | BLUESFEST, NSW | AA
Tickets available from www.bluesfest.com.au
SUN 4 APR, 2021 | BLUESFEST, NSW | AA
Tickets available from www.bluesfest.com.au
