Kieran Webber
Director and Founder of CLUNK Magazine, CLUNK Events, and other CLUNK affiliate businesses. You’ll probably find me tucked away somewhere sending emails, listening to music, and creating content.
Brooklyn based artist Nathaniel Paul discusses his latest single ‘Well Unknown’, the importance of mental health and more!
We first caught wind of Nathaniel Paul with his stunning single ‘Turpentine’, a thought provoking track that really highlighted his deeply thoughtful songwriting. Now, he returns with his latest cut ‘Well Unknown’, a laid back indie track that yet again boasts his ability to reflect on the world, inviting you, the listener, to join him on this path of self-reflection.
We caught up with Nathaniel to chat through the new single, how life’s been treating him since ‘Turpentine’, and much more!
Kieran: Hey Nathaniel, thank you for chatting with us today! How have you been?
Nathaniel: I’ve been holding it all together! Been a bit burned out lately… I just put out a new record after the release of our film State of the Unity dropped on Apple TV here in the States. So it’s been a very productive and busy season for me.
Kieran: How’s 2024 treating you so far? Any highlights?
Nathaniel: 2024 has been real man. Really fast and really crazy. Haha Definitely some highlights from dropping the new album ‘Turpentine’ with over 100,000 streams and we are getting ready for some really big shows this winter as well with The Bergamot. So no complaints. Just drifting away in the studio when I can. Working on a lot of new material and thinking about putting out another solo album before the end of the year. So stay tuned…
Kieran: Last time we spoke was 2 years ago when you released the single ‘Turpentine’, what’s changed for you since this time?
Nathaniel: Lot’s of songwriting and productions. Working really hard on my craft and trying to level up in everything that I do. The more you chip away at a skill the more refined it becomes. At least that is my approach. So the more I get down to work – the more I hear and honestly the more fun it becomes.
Kieran: Has any of this changed your sound or songwriting?
Nathaniel: Yea.. I am always testing my ear. Trying out a new progression or a new melodic phrase. Once you unlock a new understanding through study or experimentation – it feels like the momentum just builds. So I have really been pushing myself to examine new ideas. The only downside is that my standard for release is becoming a bit higher for myself, so I am really having to commit a good amount of time to each song. But it’s a good problem to have.
Kieran: You recently dropped your latest single ‘Well Unknown’, can you talk us through what this track means to you?
Nathaniel: It seems like the best gems in life are well unknown. I have never been a go with whats popular type of person, much to my musical detriment I am sure. But I feel that one should never rush to be the center of attention or focus, rather take time to become a fully actualized artist first, which could take decades. I mean I see so many artists at the top of the music world and they can barely chord or hold it together musically. I feel it is important to really command your instrument to perform well, we just don’t see a lot of that in pop music today.
Listen/watch ‘Well Unknown’ here:
I think that the process of writing and recording is really like being a well unknown part of the world. It can feel alien at times. Needless to say, getting people to listen to your music is even more challenging than ever.
But if you spend your whole life looking down, you’ll never notice that beyond the clouds it’s all blue… That’s the sum of the song. We can’t get down on ourselves just because we are not where we want to be – call it famous or successful – it’s about doing what you love and focusing on that. The rest is out of our realm of control. So being well unknown is an honor I think.
Kieran: Was anything done differently when writing and recording this one?
Nathaniel: Loads of time into the lyrics. I spent a whole day in the studio just on the lyrics and I felt that I was able to push myself. I can’t say whether or not it was better than anything else I have done, but it definitely felt more complete. I was happy to get it to that place.
Kieran: Throughout your music you are open and honest about mental health, addiction, and much more, how do you feel about writing from a vulnerable space and why is it important?
Nathaniel: Man it’s a shit world out there right now. Mental health is more important than ever. People are angry, hell I’m angry at times. But writing and being quiet is a great recipe for soothing the rough edges of life. It seems like everytime I open the paper I read something more shocking than the day before. But overall, we just have to take time to recover. I go through my own challenges and am finding small pathways to keep myself healthy and happy. For now thats enough for me…
Kieran: Lastly, what else can we expect from you in 2024?
Nathaniel: I’m currently sitting on two of my favorite tunes I have ever written so stay tuned for those tracks. Other than that loads of new material for The Bergamot. I am also working on another Nathaniel Paul record this year. Finally, I will be putting together the “State of the Unity” soundtrack which is a collection of all of the works from our film. So lots going on… we are also launching our biggest show to date on November 29th at The Morris Performing Arts Center in South Bend, IN. Can’t wait for that.. Then hopefully over to the UK for a tour next year… I’ll keep in touch. Ever Upwards! NP
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