How old are you? Where do you live and where did you grow up? How long have you been playing music?
32. Live in Oceanside and grew up in Fallbrook. Started playing guitar at 13 1/2. Started playing professionally at 18.
Did growing up in Fallbrock, CA influence your decision to begin playing music?
Growing up in Fallbrook actually did influence me to play music in that there wasn’t much to do in a small town, so you had to either get into something productive or get in trouble like a lot of kids did. In a city there are probably more things to do and more choices.
What early memories do you have of being exposed to music? Did someone have to push you in that direction or did your passion for music develop naturally?
My earliest memories of music was when I got really into Michael Jackson’s Thriller. I used to dress up and try to dance like him. I was crazy and serious about his music, and I didn’t know why. Then from 10-13 all I wanted to do was listen to music on my walkman radio. Going to sleep listening to music. I moved naturally towards music. My parents didn’t push it, but they didn’t discourage it either.
Beginning your career at a young age, when did you first decide you wanted to be professional musician? How did you get your first gigs?
I started playing gigs when I was about 17, but towards the end of my senior year I started going to a Jam session in Oceanside at Rookies where I met Billy Watson, Tom Mahon, and Brad Karow. They had a band called the Blues Pharoahs. Billy hired me for a gig at Hensleys in Carlsbad and that was the day I quite working at my families plant nursery business and considered myself a musician full time. Haven’t worked a job since then!
What musicians and types of music inspire you? Who are your influences?
When I first started I was extremely moved by Metallica. Then I heard the Allman Brothers and that started my world into blues. From that I got into JImi Hendrix and Cream momentarily. Then I started buying old LP’s from a guy at the swapmeet. He turned me on to a Robert Johnson record, and several random old blues records. Then when I went on the road with the James Harman Band at 19, that’s when I got deep into all the classic blues. Some of my biggest influences are: Big Bill Broonzy, Tampa Red, T-bone Walker, Muddy Waters, Robert Lockwood Jr., on and on. 90% of my favorite musicians are dead and have been before my parents were even born!!
What is your instrument of choice? What other instruments do you enjoy playing? Have you developed any innovative instruments of your own?
Guitar is my instrument of choice, and acoustic guitars are my favorite. Recently I’ve constructed a guitar out of a washboard. I call it the Washtar Gitboard. And shortly after that I’ve made one I call the Tri-tar. It consists of a washboard, an axe handle, and 3 strings.
When you write songs, what is the process? Where do your ideas come from and how do they evolve into a song?
Song ideas usually start with a first phrase idea or guitar riff.
After touring with the accomplished blues musician James Harman, you decided to go solo, what prompted this change? What did you learn from Harman and how did you expand on that as a solo musician?
Touring with Harman was a true apprenticeship and I’ve learned many valuable things about doing business and being a performer that you can’t learn from any book or school! Also while touring with James Harman I got heavily into acoustic country blues. When I was off the road I would do solo gigs. I decided I wanted to focus on that. It also gave me an opportunity to make a good living by not having to hire anybody and split the money. It was a good decision now that we’ve entered the post 9-11/slow economy/electronic music era of the new millennium- that has killed the live music scene and clubs.
You have taken a more independent approach to your career compared to other artist. For example: performing solo, recording your own CDs from your home studio (Sacred Cat Studio) and using your own label to produce your albums. What are the advantages of keeping it all so “in house”?
I’ve just kind of naturally gone the independent route as many other artists. I was on a small label for my first solo album, but it quickly sank into obscurity after 1500 were pressed because the label didn’t do anything to promote it after a year. I enjoy recording and mixing my own music so I can get it closer to how I want it to sound. But I would prefer to have someone else handle all the stuff for me so I can just play, and write. Maybe someday when my big break comes- hopefully while I’m still young enough to be marketable…ha ha
You just finished a solo tour through Europe and Southeast USA, how do the two tours compare to each other?
Playing Europe and then flying into Memphis TN from Sweden was a bit of a culture shock- both very different than Southern California. Of course the money was much better in Scandinavia than Mississippi, Arkansas, and Kansas City. But you can’t get that kind of Barbecue over there, or here in San Diego!
How do you perceive Carlsbad as an artistic community? Are there changes/additions which you feel could make it more of a nurturing environment for artists?
I don’t know what to think about the local artistic community. It seems to be too much of a small town- wealthy beach community to really have a thriving scene. Of course there are many amazingly talented musicians and artists living here, but as for a music scene. It’s real hard to get people to really follow an act because there are too many things to do in So Cal due to the good weather. Also people are having to work too much to be able to afford to live here. While just visiting St Louis, where there is a thriving music scene, I was amazed at how supportive fans and music clubs were. Maybe it has a little bit to do with St Louis being in the midwest and just being named ‘Most dangerous city in America’…Just my opinions…
You have played all over the world, recorded multiple albums and won some prestigious blues awards, what future plans as a professional musician do you have?
Well, at this point in my career I plan to just sit and wait for that big break to come my way…And meanwhile, I’m prepared to play for tips on the streets if need be!
See Nathan James (website) LIVE at:
SNYDER ART and DESIGN
WHEN: Dec. 10th 6PM
WHERE: Snyder Art and Design (map)
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