Imagine driving across Europe for weeks, by yourself, playing shows and then driving hundreds of miles for the next one. That’s exactly what English songwriter Nathan Ball did last summer, and he even took a detour to record this session for The Influences in Amsterdam, before heading to the South coast of France. Bless him. Please watch him cover Gnarls Barkley’s Crazy and play two recent singles, The Forest and Not Alone.
Poetic and introspective lyrics, set against carefully crafted arrangements
Nathan Ball’s album Under The Mackerel Sky – released in March 2022 – features 12 tracks that could very well made any drive you undertake a lot more pleasant. You’ll be where you’re going in no-time, and you might even feel relaxed when you get out of the car. Its folk-inspired songs showcase his unique vocal and lyrical style. Nathan Ball’s voice is rich and emotive, and invites the listener into the intimate world of his music. The songs on Under The Mackerel Sky are characterized by their poetic and introspective lyrics, which are set against a backdrop of carefully crafted arrangements.
Nathan Ball shows a lot of promise for the years to come.
Even though his album is less than a year old, Nathan Ball has already started releasing new songs, like Wild Wings, and the two songs he performed in this session: Not Alone and The Forest. They show more of the same promise his album delivered. Surely Ball is an artist that will develop his craft continuously in the years to follow, and if these songs are any indication, we as listeners should be very intrigued.
Credits
Filmed & edited by Matthijs van der Ven.
Audio recorded & mixed by Matthijs van der Ven.
Location
Paradiso Noord
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Thanks
Tolhuistuin
Paradiso
Excelsior Recordings
There is no better way to discover music than watching great musicians cover the songs they love. The Influences has been producing these videos ever since 2008.
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