Nathan Norman – Powerhouse

Q.  What are the current projects that you’re working on?

A.  I’m currently working on my record demo with my producers recording my originals songs.  I’ve written the music and lyrics to 11 songs so far and I have great producers that are helping me get them recorded.  I’m also working on DEVO 2.0 with the original band members of the 80’s band DEVO, such as Mark Mothersbaugh, Gerald Casale, and Bob Casale.  They are putting together a new album from some of their greatest hits and have formed a new band consisting of all kids, calling it DEVO 2.0.  It’s a collaboration of DEVO and Disney’s Hollywood Records.  Also, DEVO 2.0 will be doing 10 videos to go with the songs on the album and shown on the Disney Channel as interstitials.

Q.  Can you tell us about the 2 national commercials that you’re in now?

A.   I have a Honeycomb commercial playing right now.  Post has started a new campaign called “Big Mouths Wanted” and I have a really big mouth in the commercial. They digitally enhanced my mouth and at the end of the commercial I fly through the air and catch a Honeycomb cereal box with my mouth.  I had a blast doing that commercial.  I got to sit the same chair as Tom Hanks at Gentle Giant Studios when they digitally scanned my head.  Gentle Giant Studios is where Tom Hanks had to go to get digitally scanned for Polar Express.  I got the grand tour of the studio too and saw where they make all the models for movies like Monsters Inc. and the Matrix.  I also have a commercial playing for Postopia.com.  In the commercial I’m a host for Postopia and tell the audience to go the website to see “wacky bloopers” of the Fairly Odd Parents, while I’m making my own bloopers trying to film the commercial.  It’s really funny, because I make a blooper where a pyramid of cereal boxes tumble to the ground.  I also have a huge Post token hit me in the head. It was foam so it didn’t hurt.  Both the Honeycomb and Post Cereal commercials are really funny and they are playing back-to-back.  There will be another Honeycomb commercial coming out soon for the healthier version of the cereal. It’s going to be less sugar and whole grain. It should be airing this summer.  I have a big mouth in that one too.

Q.  What made you want to be a part of the DEVO band?

A.   I’m a huge DEVO fan and it was such an honor to be picked for DEVO 2.0 and have the opportunity to work with Mark Mothersbaugh, Gerald and Bob Casale.  DEVO was really ahead of their time and I think their music is timeless, so it’s great that they are bringing it back.  I think by having a kid version of the band the music will bring in fans of my generation.  Also, I’m a musician and song writer and I really appreciate their music and the creativity they put into their songs.  They have inspired me to look at music differently and explore new ways to write songs.

Q.  What role/position will you be playing with DEVO?

A.   I’ll be playing the lead/rhythm guitar player of the group.  There are five kids in DEVO 2.0, two girls and three guys.  I sing co-lead on a few songs and backup vocals on most of the tracks.  I love playing the guitar and hope I can do DEVO justice with my performance. DEVO is just so polished and full of energy on stage.  But my mom says I have energy to burn, so I guess I’ll do just fine.  I’ve been practicing my DEVO songs on the guitar and getting all the leads down for the videos.  If the Disney audience likes the new DEVO 2.0, the band could evolve from there.

Q.  You’ve worked a lot with Disney, what makes working with them so appealing?

A.  I love Disney! First of all, I love Disneyland, it’s my favorite theme park, and Pirates of the Caribbean is my favorite ride, but I also love Disney shows.  I like to watch Phil of Future, That’s So Raven, and Disney movies.  So far I’ve only done, videos, commercials, promos, and industrials for Disney, eight projects in all, and now DEVO 2.0, but I hope to be on a Disney show someday. Everyone I’ve met from Disney has been really nice.  All the directors, crew, and marketing reps have been great.  I have also had the opportunity to work with Raven Simone, Ricky Ullman, and Kyle Massey, and they have been really nice.  I’ve even made some great friendships on the Disney projects I’ve done.  The first audition I ever went on was for Disney Dance-a-long:Home on the Range, and I got the job.  That’s where I met Alyson Stoner, from Mike’s Super Short Show, and she has been a great friend of mine ever since.

Q.  What was your experience like being a part of the dancers for Outkast at the 2004 Kids Choice Awards?

A.  Amazing!  Dancing on stage with Big Boi from Outkast in front of thousands of people was incredible!  That job was really fun because I got hang out with Mike Myers back stage and play street hockey with him.  He is really down to earth and was just hanging out with us kids like he was one of us.  Cameron Diaz was really nice too.  She took pictures with everyone, including me, and signed autographs for us.  I also met a lot of celebrities there, including my favorite actor, Jim Carrey.  That was great!  Unfortunately, I didn’t have my camera at the time because I was backstage in costume, but I got to talk with him at least.  After the Kids Choice Awards, there was this big after party, where it was like kid heaven!  There was free food, lots of games, and lots of celebrities!  I hope I get to do the Kids Choice Awards again someday.  It was a total blast!

Q.  Is there a summer movie that you’re really looking forward to checking out?

A.  I want to see Batman Begins.  All my friends who have seen it said it was amazing and I love action and sci-fi movies.

Q.  You’ve done acting, dancing, music and more.  Is there something that you haven’t tired your hand at yet that you’re really interested in pursuing?

A.  I would like to write, direct, and write the musical score for my own movie.  Kind of like a one man show. I have several ideas for some movies and  just ordered some tapes on movie making.  Writing the musical score for a movie would be exciting too.  I was inspired when I learned of all the musical scores that Mark Mothersbaugh from DEVO has produced, like the Rugrats.

Q.  Is there anything that you’d like to say to supporters of your career?

A.  Thank you to all who have believed in me and who have given me a chance.  It is because of you that I have come this far and it is because of you that I will continue to succeed.  Thank you for your support, guidance, and wisdom. Oh, and thanks mom, you’re the best!