Interview Time: Nate James

Nate James

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He is being compared to Stevie Wonder and Maxwell and he definitely has the voice and the looks to rock the UK rnb scene. His first debut single "Set the Tone" allowed us to discover a new talented singer/songwriter. Nate James tells Musicrooms.net about his journey to pursuing his dream.

At what age did you realise you had a talent?

I started singing ever since I could talk, but I never really thought much of it until I was at school and my friends told me I should join the school choir. So I started doing the whole white gown and candles at Christmas stuff. I was really involved in dance, music and drama at school.

Who influenced you to sing?

It was just something I always did. I think if I wanted to be a footballer, I would have kicked a ball round everyday, but I just sang everyday. I grew up in a very soulful household; my mum and dad are great lovers of old soul music, so it was just in me. My family in the US is very gospel, very religious. Whenever we were out there we would always go church and sing.

What struggles did you face trying to make it? How did you overcome these?

I was actually quite lucky. I was with an agent and a producer called asking if there was any singers on the books. I started working for him as a solo artist. I then joined a group with four other guys. So it was a stroke of luck and good timing really. The group got signed. I think my main struggle was when the group left the record label, because I didn’t know what I was going to do with myself. We’d been signed for two years, had money in the bank and lived a great life in London. It was a shock going back home to my parents and getting back into the routine of things.

You wrote most of your album before you got signed. What inspires you to write?

I started writing songs about feelings at the time. Whether it was the girl I was dating or just being pissed off with the industry, because I left the label and had to start again. But I’m grateful for it, its all a learning curve. If I hadn’t been in the group I wouldn’t know what I know now.

You describe your sound as ‘Old School meets New School’. Why is that?

I grew up on old school music and the new school side of it is those people like Rafael Saadiq, Musiq Soulchild and Rusharn Patterson. These artists have taken parts of what soul music is and then added a fresh thing to it, something different. So I’m just trying to incorporate my love for all these artists and those different genres of music, whether it be psychedelic funk or whether it be pop to make a new sound.

When you first came out people thought you were American. Why do you think that is?

I think it’s the mentality of the British public especially the RnB public in the UK. They tend to rate American artists higher than their own at times, We need to give UK artists more of a chance to prove themselves. There may be a competition between the UK and US but the artists themselves don’t cause it. I think it’s more the public perception of who’s the better artist.

How does it feel being compared to the likes of Stevie Wonder and Maxwell?

It’s amazing! I did not go out of my way to sound like anyone or imitate anyone’s style. It’s great to be compared to those people. I hope I’m around for as long as they are and I hope can shift as many records as them.

Your first debut single ‘Set the Tone’ has a very soulful vibe to it, a real summer track. What can we expect to hear from the rest of your album?

Well the next song to be released is ‘Universal’

Which is out July 18th is a very up tempo, feel good kinda song. It’s one of those albums that people can listen to when they’re getting ready to go out, to hype them. There’s something for everyone, some Stevie vibes, Maxwell vibes and Marvin vibes. A piece of all my idols are on there.

You’ve done duets with Mica Paris Amy Winehouse and Omar. How did the collaboration with Dawn Robinson (En Vogue/Lucy Pearl) come about?

The label asked me if I was to collaborate with anyone who would it be and I said I love Dawn Robinson’s voce and tone. One of my first albums was the En Vogue ‘Funky Divas’ album. Then when Lucy Pearl came out I just loved her sound. So I started searching for some sort of contact on the Internet and with a little help from the label we got in touch and she agreed. I’m really excited, the track we’ve done together is amazing.

Describe the feeling when you get up on stage?

Crowd reaction is an important factor. I would go out on stage and sing to a crowd who does not like my music, but I would still have a great time. Because for me it’s about performing and doing the best that I can do. It’s just the adrenaline buzz of going on stage and people appreciating what you’re doing. The best thing for me is when people sing my songs back to me.

If you didn’t become a singer where would you be now?

I was actually due to go university to study graphics design. My parents were quite adamant I got qualifications before pursuing my dream.

Which would be my advice to anyone trying to make it. I’m not saying don’t put your heart and soul into it, but have a back up plan. There’s nothing worse than your dream being shattered and not having anything to fall back on. 

What do you think about the UK RnB scene?

I think it’s on the up and up. Lemar is doing s thing, Craig David is making a come back. I think Joss Stone is great. J’Nay is a new up and coming guy. Natalie Williams, Carmen Reece are both great. I think the UK are in for a shock with the new RnB talent coming out this year. I think the music industry might be coming round to the idea that music tastes are changing and its not all about the crazy frog.

Describe yourself in 3 words?

Vibrant, Excitable and Smooth.

Top 5 Favourite songs

1.      Stevie Wonder – I Just Called to Say I Love You

When my brother and me were young my mum used to bath us together. My dad was in the airforce at the time. She used to call him while were in the bath and we used to sing this song down the phone to him.

2.      Marvin Gaye – What’s goin on

In any country, any time of the year, it is such an appropriate song. No matter what’s happening. Live8 s a prime example, there is so much going on in the world that does not need to happen but it does.

3.      Marvin Gaye – Sexual Healing

I won’t go into to much detail about why that’s a great song or why I like it. But it seems to work every time.

4.      Prince – When Doves Cry

It’s one of those songs that really grab me. His voice changes throughout the song are amazing. You get used to hearing Prince sing high and then in this song he really goes down. I love the ad-libs he does in this song, the general beat of it, and just the whole thing. It’s just a cleverly crafted song.

5.      Otis Redding – Hard to Handle

I love ‘Sitting on the Dock of the bay’ too but Hard to Handle is such a crazy song. I’m actually performing it at my next show, and I’ve found a new appreciation for it. I’ve known the song for ages when a rock band covered it previously and I thought that it was theirs originally. Then I bought Otis Redding’s greatest hits and I just loved it. The horns, the whole vibe of it, the way he sings it. It’s not just ordinary singing, its real soul.