![]() LJ: Can you tell me a little about your background, where you’re from, when you decided to pursue your music career? It can have a real healing property to it. Not even just intercourse, just when communicating. It’s an important dynamic even for people who don’t even know each other. I was a big fan of Leonard Cohen and this sensual side to him. ![]() NR: I mean it helps that I’m a good cook, great in the sack and I’m a good dancer. LJ: This might sound weird, but I think your album in every aspect is very sexy and romantic – the cover, the songs, the arrangement, the tone, the way you sing it – has anyone ever told you that before (laughs)? It just kind of came out that way so I’m just stuck doing it that way (laughs). NR: I wasn’t necessarily trying to be extra emotive on those phrases. Is that something you planned out when writing the song or did it just happen? ![]() LJ: I want to talk about “Still Trying.” When and how you repeat “I don’t know” over and over, it’s so emotional. LJ: So when you’re performing do you stick to the same routine? Back in the day we used to…sometimes we’d be on tour long enough that we’d start making it up…”Yeah, we’ll do blah, blah, blah tonight.” And that’s really great sometimes, but sometimes ya know, it can backfire. It varies a little bit, but that’s the best way to lock in. If I’m on tour with the band we kind of do similar stuff every night. NR: I just did a record with this R & B/Soul band I have, called the Night Sweats. There’s a bunch a new songs that I want to play. LJ: Do you prepare your set list ahead of time or do you just wing it? I guess, it all really just depends on my mood and whether I’m in a good mood. They’d say, “You don’t keep it cool.” Yeah, I go through phases. I’m sure if anyone read that, they would laugh. NR: (Laughs) Sometimes yes, sometimes no. LJ: (Laughs) How do you prepare for your show? Drinking (laughs) ? That goes to show how in the loop I am (laughs, and orders a drink from the bar). I actually didn’t know AmericanaFest was a thing. I honestly don’t know much about the festival (smiles). ![]() LJ: Is this your first time performing at AmericanaFest? LJ: I love that album! I was a fan of yours before I started Heartstrings and became an editor. The second one was on Rounder Records….uh, there was so much time in between… it’s call In Memory of Loss. The newest one is Falling Faster Than You Can Run. That was called Desire and Dissolving Men. The first one I did was self released with the help of some friends. We lucked out with some spots on the street. Lauren Jahoda: The parking is crazy around here. Grab a drink and come join us at the end of the bar for a chat, Nathaniel’s treat. He seemed as at ease and easy to talk with, as I imagine he would be in the comfort of his own home–an effortlessly entertaining host, candid, quick witted and engaging–and he continued as such, both throughout our interview and throughout his amazing performance on the Rutledge stage just moment later that evening. Nathaniel Rateliff was warm and inviting from that first moment forward. We exchanged hellos and he offered me a drink, his treat (An “Americana,” beer, brewed by Yazoo especially for AmericanaFest.Thank you Nathaniel). We met inside and as I introduced myself he motioned for me to follow and join him at the end of the bar. He entered with his friends, who just happened to be Caroline Rose and her two band members. Nathaniel walked up the ramp towards the front door of the Rutledge with his guitar in hand, as he was scheduled to take the stage shortly after our interview. Trying to find somewhere to park along the tangle of one way streets that surrounded our chosen meeting place during AmericanaFest, was quite the challenge the first few times around. Both Nathaniel and I arrived late for his interview.
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