NateWantsToBattle – Paid in Exposure

By starrymag | August 17, 2018

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

 

A) A million things at once, as always! I just released my new album and working on music video concepts and shoots throughout the year. Also, I’ve been gearing up for the Paid In Exposure Tour starting in August with my buddy, Zach Callison. We’re super excited to be hitting new cities with a new show as well as revisiting awesome cities we hit last year.

 

Q) We’re listening to your new EP Paid in Exposure. How would you describe your sound?

 

A) The album varies a lot in sound. My elevator pitch is usually somewhere between old Fall Out Boy and Panic! At The Disco.

 

Q) How did you decide to go label free/independent with it?

 

A) I’m in a fortunate position where I’m able to pay my bills while maintaining full creative control. It’s worked for me so far, so this album didn’t seem to have too much need for a label.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) Music and melodies first. Then, I’ll pick a topic to write about and word vomit until I can shape it to fit the song.

 

Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) A very heavy hand. This album was mixed and mastered by Shawn Christmas. Aside from bones, all song structures, melodies and lyrics were done by me. Shawn then takes the meat of the song and adds the bells and whistles in post.

 

Q) What can fans expect from a live NateWantsToBattle performance?

 

A) With this tour especially: High energy. Lots of laughs. Lots of singing. I love watching videos back from tour and not being able to hear myself because fans are singing every word with me at the top of their lungs.

 

Q) What songs off your Paid in Exposure EP are you looking forward to performing live?

 

A) “Take Me Anywhere” is definitely a huge roller coaster of emotions live. That song is therapy to me and singing it gets me in my feels. Hearing fans sing it back at me just amplifies that and it becomes a beautiful moment.

 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to your new EP as a whole?

 

A) I wanted an album that was more illustrative and had more character to it. I wanted to paint scenes in the listeners minds and have things like backdrops and colors conjure images all from audio.

 

Q) The album hit #11 on the Heatseekers Albums chart and #33 on the Independent Albums chart [Billboard] in the first week. How did that make you feel?

 

A) Felt great! Very humbling and the support is always amazing.

 

Q) Your YouTube channel featured a number of covers. How did you select the artists and songs you featured?

 

A) Basically, if I like a song and think I can do something fun with it I try to make it happen.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) Brendon Urie would be an incredible collab. Or Billie Joe Armstrong. I guess anyone who’s had influence on the path I took.

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

 

A) It’s been a blend of State Champs, August Burns Red and Post Malone. All fantastic artists.

 

Q) NateWantsToBattle came from your love of gaming. Difficult question: Favorite video game of all time and why?

 

A) Easy question! Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch. It’s a beautiful story, incredible art, great combat system, saturated 80-hour journey, dude. It’s just amazing.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) Interaction means a lot to people and it’s become an easy way to keep people connected.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) Thank you for sticking with me through this weird journey of experimenting with content type, genres, everything. It’s been a wild ride and I’m so thankful to be able to wake up in the morning in control of what I’ll create.