Nathan Watson Interview conducted by Hugo Lunny
Though the UK has soul, mainstream America doesn’t seem to have heard enough of it. Now an artist inspired by the likes of Van Hunt and Terence Trent D’Arby emerges from the south of England. Already getting a buzz in his local area, Nathan Watson’s next venture is North America. To hear his music check out http://www.myspace.com/nathanwatsonpage
MVRemix: For those that are now hearing about you for the first time, tell us about yourself.
Nathan Watson: I am an up and coming funky soul singer who is here to actually bring a difference in the UK’s music today.
MVRemix: How important do you feel networking is as an independent artist?
Nathan Watson: I feel networking is a very important thing for independent artists, it’s a way to get ahead and most importantly getting gigs, shows etc.
MVRemix: As a songwriter, who has influenced you?
Nathan Watson: As a songwriter my influences are David Bowie, Van Hunt, Jimi Hendrix, Donny Hathaway, Prince, Pearl Jam, Sly Stone, Curtis Mayfield, Bob Dylan, Sananda Maitreya (aka Terrence Trent D’arby), D’Angelo and Bob Marley.
MVRemix: How did living in southern England shape your attitude towards music, art and culture in general?
Nathan Watson :I’d have to have lived somewhere else to answer that question!
MVRemix: Did your parents play a significant role in your “musical education”?
Nathan Watson: My mum played a huge role in my musical education, she always had music on – Motown, a lot of new jack swing, [laughs] pure good singers ranging from Ella Fitzgerald to very early Jodeci.
MVRemix: How has being in North London now help? What did you do to first get your music out there?
Nathan Watson: Well moving to North London helped me a lot as I can be anywhere in London to be seen or heard without worrying about leaving early to get back to Stevenage! To first get my music out there I met my manager/producer Steve Salvari who has already been in the game with a band called Central Line who were pioneers of the whole Brit-Bunk scene along with Incognito and Light Of The World. I gigged a hell of a lot of free shows and even made little cards with my MySpace on and gave ‘em out n the tube and at showcases.
MVRemix: Tell me about the new album…
Nathan Watson: Oh I’m on album number two now, plus there’s about four albums worth of material to work on! The 1st is “Student Of Life.” It’s all experiences and real issues in life that I’ve been through hence the title. In the process, basically I recorded a lot of songs and picked the strongest at the time for the album. Then came up with the title.
MVRemix: What do you wish to achieve with the album?
Nathan Watson: My goal for this album is to get known and appreciated and then after that stay here forever. As for the video I shot a video for a song called “I Like You” which was the single off the album but after a re-think we’re dropping it. The next video “For You” is to be shot when I return from New York.
MVRemix: What separates you from other singers? Why should I opt to listen to your music above others?
Nathan Watson: What separates me from other singers is that I have a versatile voice and am not afraid to be different in every song. Most artists these days, not all, stick to one style and formula and it gets boring after five songs, in my opinion.
MVRemix: In your opinion, is an artist credible if they only thrive in the studio with technology?
Nathan Watson: As for an artist being credible if they thrive in the studio with technology, that’s a double no for me. How can they do a good live show? It’s very limited.
MVRemix: Have fun with this one, a la “Fight Club” – “If you could fight any celebrity, who would you fight”?
Nathan Watson: [laughs] In a fight club I would have to be up against Robbie Williams and I would win in three seconds. A new world record.
MVRemix: Do you have any non-musical creative aspirations?
Nathan Watson: Non musical creative aspiration is selling my paintings or my 15 year old brother’s. He’s an amazing artist.
MVRemix: What next do we have to look forward to from you?
Nathan Watson: To look forward from me there is quite a lot, I can’t say too much but an American tour next year is on the cards, and if that goes well I’ll be coming to you.
MVRemix: Any last words?
Nathan Watson: My last words are thank you.