After travelling Europe and becoming a student of Pierre Bensusan, Nathan Reid now only has one goal. To compose and perform the most beautiful, emotional and captivating music possible. Whilst continuing to push and develop the boundaries of the acoustic guitar. – With a mission statement like that we wanted to know more.
▶ Tell us about your stage name?
Nathan: The story behind being called Nathan Reid? I’ve had this name for the past 22 years. Originally there was talk between the rents about calling me “Jessy” but thank God they decided against that, and I got Nate instead.
▶ When did you start playing music and how long did it take to find your own sound?
I’ve been playing music since I was a kid, but I only seriously got into the acoustic in the past 4/5 years. It all started from hearing “John Butler’s – Ocean” That song just blew me away. It introduced and opened up a whole new world of artists and music for me. Primarily the world famous Pierre Bensusan, who I went to Paris to live and learn with. Then more recently an Italian guitarist – Pino Forastiere. Pino just has style and musicality unlike anyone I’ve ever heard. Those have probably been the biggest inspiration’s, teachers and influences to helping develop my style and sound.
▶ What releases have you put out thus far, and which would be the one to listen to for the uninitiated?
At the moment I’ve been working with Brian O’Kane to make a series of weekly video’s in the run up to the ep launch. I’m currently recording my debut ep “These Three Trees” Like everything, we decided to do it slightly different and make it that little bit more special. So we found an old analogue 4 track recorder and are recording on that. Old school all the way!
▶ Is there a particular live show that stands out amongst all the rest?
A really random night actually has probably stood out. I got asked to play in the Black Box as part of a thing called “the carousel” basically it was eleven unbelievable musicians on stage, we all played a song or two, and the 10 other people all improvised over the top of your song. Having ten people improvise over a piece of music that they’ve never heard before is really special. It just turned into a really magical experience. Something really special happened that night. Everyone that heard came out talking about it for a long time afterwards.
▶ Can you talk about a Highlight and a Lowlight of the journey so far?
Becoming Pierre Bensusan’s road manager and getting asked to tour Europe with such a famous guitarist, not to mention one of my guitar hero’s, has probably been the biggest highlight of the journey so far. He’s really taught me a lot and introduced me to an amazing lifestyle. Especially in Paris. Meeting famous French film star’s at parties and not having a clue who they are is always good craic!
As far as lowlights I probably can’t mention any specifically really! … A lot of them have to do with crazy woman funnily enough. haha. Combine a crazy girl, a lot of alcohol and an after show party on a boat and you just don’t even want to know what happened… Apart from those few incident’s everything’s been going amazingly well so far! Even at that they’re hilarious to look back on now.
▶ What does ‘success’ mean to you?
Success to me is simply feeling content with the music I’m writing, getting a positive feedback from that music and being able to make a living from doing what I love.
▶ You are in control of forming a 4 piece ‘super group’ – who is in it and what do they do?
Dave Grohl – Drums. After watching sound city, he is just the man.
Miles Davis – Trumpet. He’s Miles Davis…
Pino Forastiere – Guitar. That man’s music is beauty personified.
Flea – Bass Stick him in there just to keep things lively and fun.
▶ If you and 3 bands of your choosing were to do a world tour, who would the other 3 bands be?
Ben Howard – He’s a cool guy, he surfs and he writes some great music.
And So I Watch You From Afar – They’ve always been in my top 10 bands since I first heard them. Amazing musicians, and again fantastic guys.
Glen Hansard – I went to see him and his band play the Ulster hall there and it blew me away. I could watch that show every night. Unbelievable musician, unbelievable voice and again a brilliant guy.
These super groups and band choices have been such a mix match so far hahaha
▶ If you could make one strange dressing room demand, what would it be and why?
A brand new “comfiest toilet seat known to man” …
▶ Finally, in a climate saturated with bands vying for listener attention; why should the good old folks at home listen to you guys?
Right now I’m taking the guitar and opening people’s eyes up to the possibilities of what music can really be made out of it. Everyone’s seen the guitar played countless times before, but I’m taking it and playing it in a new way that not that many people have seen yet. That excites people, and it excites me. I want to write the most captivating and beautiful music I possibly can, and I think I’m definitely on my way. “These Three Trees” is a record I’m really proud of.
Have a listen to ‘Forastiere’ Below;
Website ▶ www.nathan-reid.com
