Nathaniel Paul is a singer-songwriter and producer from The Emmy award winning band ‘The Bergamot’, is set to release his sophomore album in the spring of 2022. The album’s 2nd single “Turpentine” was released Jan. 21st. Nathaniel shot the video for “Turpentine” hanging upside down. The song lyrics start with “Take me off that assembly line” referring to the state of homogeneity that has been created through the overconsumption of news, social media, and the internet at large. The song hopes to take a look at what we are going through as a culture.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Kamil) Hey Nathaniel Paul, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What first got you into music?
It all started back in grade school. There were a bunch of phases that I went through growing up, but when it came to learning guitar I was in love. I would play all through the day and night. It just stuck with me.
The next step naturally was to start performing and put together a band. I formed my first band when I was 15 years old. From there the performances just came naturally. Growing up in Indiana, there were not a lot of opportunities to perform so I had to think creatively about creating spaces and opportunities to play. On half days of school, I would go and meet with different businesses and ask if I could have shows there. That led me to a space that I hosted shows at for years, Francescos. It was an Italian restaurant with an amazing attic/second floor that I converted into a venue. I would play there with different friends a few times a month. It was really rad to have a unique space to hang out in. Best of all? $5 was the cost for a ticket and all you can eat pizza. What high schooler doesn't love that?
What is your creative process like?
I like to start the day off around 6-7 AM with rehearsals. I start on the piano either learning new material or working on an arrangement for a song that I have already written. That lasts about an hour then I move to guitar and voice. I will spend about 30 minutes warming up my voice and my fingers. Then I spend some time singing and working on songs that I have written.
After the morning rehearsal session, I usually take some time to make coffee and have a bite to eat. After that I like to exercise for about 1 and half hours. Then get cleaned up and spend the rest of the day from noon to 9 or 10 writing and recording. I might be able to write and record a whole song in that time. Then on an off day I will spend 8-9 hours editing and mixing and then send the track off to mastering. I usually budget 1-3 day for a song to go from idea to completion.
Your latest song is 'Turpentine'. Can you tell us more about the making of it and if there were any unusual things happening during the process?
“Turpentine” was written during an extended writing session in Sedona, AZ. The song began as an acoustic arrangement performed on the electric guitar. I was playing around in D Maj (I tend to drift to the Maj. 7th chords) and I started throwing in a few different riffs that I was hearing. Next thing I knew I felt like I could hear something coming out of the arrangement. I recorded the guitar first since I knew I would have trouble composing a melody with such an intricate guitar melody playing. Then I spend the rest of the afternoon composing a melody and lyric. All this was set to the backdrop of a sunset in Sedona. So the song was a lot of fun to work on. I just wanted to keep it interesting from start to finish and I was really happy with the way it turned out.
What was the most difficult challenge you faced?
Playing around with the melody of the guitar and the top line melody. Having those two lines existing in the same arrangement without having one overtake the other. They almost had to play together. So getting the top line just right to stand out but not be too busy was an interesting but fun challenge when composing this tune.
What is the biggest mistake you have made within your career to this point?
I wish I would have kept recording music when I was in my early 20’s. Growing up in Indiana, there was a huge emphasis on going to college - which I do not regret at all. But I took some time off of writing and recording to get my life in order. I wish I could have kept recording. BUT and this is a big but, the ease of recording during that time was not what it is today. You could spend all day in the studio but because things like AD converters were so expensive, everything just sounded pretty shitty. So there was no incentive to record when it all sounded pretty terrible. Now, even a $300 machine can get studio quality tracks. So it’s a small regret, back then lo-fi and indie were just alternative names for crap. So it was really hard trying to make cool shit on your own. You really had to have access to big studios etc. and being where I am from that just didn’t exist.
How do you know when a work is finished?
When I just run out of steam with the tune. I know when I start spinning my wheels and the song or work just doesn’t advance. That is when you just have to hit the go button.
What are your long term goals?
Sell out Soldier Field in Chicago. Play to audiences all over the world. Compose something that will transcend my life on this earth.
Do you have a mentor or coach?
Matt Wiggins in the UK has taught me a lot about the hard work that goes into making a great track or record. I am always talking to him about stuff and picking his brain. My wife is also a great person for keeping me on the positive side of things. I tend to drift pretty dark… and reading. I love to be inspired by the classics.
What memorable responses have you had to your work?
Back in 2017, I pitched a song to Matt Wiggins manager in London. I thought it was a zero chance that Matt would be into it and want to work together. 5 years later, a trip to London to finish The Bergamot’s record “Mayflies” and Matt and I are great friends. It’s amazing when you pour your heart and soul into something who you meet and become friends with along the way. That process I would never have believed to have been possible. But what can I say, you just have to put yourself out there and keep believing.
Where is the best place in the world you’ve ever been to?
Right now I am sitting writing this piece looking out over the Pacific Ocean in Hermosa Beach, CA. I would love to make this my home. It is easily one of the most gorgeous places on the planet. I’m very blessed to even be here right now.
Thanks for taking the time to sit down and chat and for your support of indie music. Wishing you all the best and maybe I’ll see you at a show sometime. Ever Upwards friend! NP