Nathan Ball – Lost Track of Time

By starrymag | September 26, 2024

By: Jennifer Vintzileos

 

 

Q) How would you best describe your sound?

A) I would say it’s indie folk with electronic influences.

 

Q) Who are your Top 3 musical influences?

A) The War on Drugs, Ry X and George Fitzgerald.

 

Q) Tell us the story behind your latest single “Stateline.” 

A) I wrote it whilst on tour in Australia at the end of last year, trying to capture the essence of life on the road. Long dusty roads, new places, new faces and endless hours looking out the window contemplating and daydreaming about life. It’s a song about the innocence of youth and is based on the story of Icarus flying too close to the sun and meeting his demise. It’s been a real favorite to play on tour recently, it always takes me back to that moment on tour.

 

Q) Since its release, what has been the reaction to the new single from fans and listeners?

A) Yeah, it seems to be going down really well. There’s been a great reaction to it during the live shows and the streaming is going well too so I’m really happy with it. It’s a bit more of a summery driving song compared to my last releases so it’s great to see how people react to the more upbeat releases.

 

Q) “Stateline” is off your upcoming EP titled Lost Track of Time. What are some themes you will be exploring with the new EP?

A) There’s a real mix of stories in this EP, from nostalgia to narcissism and heartache to love songs. It’s a bit of an emotional rollercoaster really.

 

Q) Which song(s) off of Lost Track of Time was your favorite to write and record? 

A) “Stateline” was really fun to write as I was just on the road and embodying the lyrics I was writing. It was also great fun when it came to recording as the vibes were high and it took me back to that amazing adventure through Australia when I was writing it. The next single “Lover’s Game” I also really enjoyed writing because it came together in such a gradual manner and I enjoyed piecing all the different parts together.

 

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

A) It depends really. Sometimes I’ll have a lyric idea which I write in my notes or record as a voice memo, but more often than not it starts with some chords on the piano or guitar and I just mess around with those until I find a vocal melody I like.

 

Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production aspects of the music that you make?

A) For this EP, Max and I were basically trying to find snapshots of time we could record together, so we were a bit all over the place for this one. I remember recording the vocals to “Lover’s Game” on a hotel room floor on a Greek Island and sending them over to Max via some very questionable internet signal. Usually, we’re in the studio together as that’s when the vibes are highest and it’s more fun to feed off that and build it into the music.

 

Q) You are currently touring with Faithless and are set to go on a solo European tour this October. With the upcoming release of Lost Track of Time, are there any plans for more worldwide tour dates in the works?

A) There are always plans for more tour dates, I’m just struggling to fit any more in at the moment. It’s been a pretty wild year and I’m finally at home for a week now, so I’m sure we’ll get planning some more dates. Australia is always top of the list, and I feel very lucky to play out there a lot, so I’m sure I’ll get out there at some point.

 

Q) Which song is your favorite to perform at live shows?

A) I really enjoy playing a song called “My Answer.” It’s from my debut album Under the Mackerel Sky. It’s such a feel-good euphoric song that always tugs on my heartstrings every time I play it, so I’d say that one for sure.

 

Q) I absolutely love watching your YouTube videos for the covers that you have done. Which cover was your favorite to do and do you have plans to upload more in the near future?

A) Ah, thanks very much. I guess “Crazy” was the most fun to do as it’s so different and raw compared to the original, so it was exciting to strip it back and expose the vocals in a more emotive way with just the piano. It felt pretty good at the time, but I didn’t realize how nuts it would go online.

 

Q) What would you like to say to your fans and supporters of your music?

A) Thanks so much for everything! You’re all the reason I get to travel the world playing music and writing songs, so I’m forever grateful to you all for supporting in such a wonderful way.