Soul Music Is What I Do
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If you ask most people what month makes them the happiest, some will say June, when the first day of...If you ask most people what month makes them the happiest, some will say June, when the first day of summer brings freedom and relaxation; still others may say January, when all things start anew, resolutions are refreshed and new goals are set.
If you ask me -- what month thrills me? What month fills my soul with purpose and song and joy, my answer will always be September.
Seventy years ago, in September, Otis Redding was born, and the landscape of Soul music was shaped as magnificently as a view from the "Dock on the Bay."
Fifty-three years ago, in September, Berry Gordy followed his dreams, listened to his soul and founded Motown Records. Unleashing Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, The Jackson 5, Diana Ross -- and other talent that can never be duplicated -- into the world.
Thirty-five years ago, in September, Soul music legend Stevie Wonder released Songs in the Key of Life. His music would later "Knock Me Off My Feet" and remind me that "Isn't She Lovely?" and to never forget to "Have A Talk With God."
Soul music was born in September, and my life was inextricably bound to it before I ever opened my eyes in this world.
It's taken me a long time to define what Soul music means to me. I've always known that it was my connection to my mother. Digging through crates as a child, grooving to her 45's, I got to know her in ways that I couldn't even articulate until I had a little bit more living under my belt. My heart was connected to the music before I even knew I could sing, and once I experienced the brilliant art of Michael Jackson, my path was set.
I was 15 years old when I joined a gospel group called Providence. My family and I traveled the Deep South with an African-American choir from a church in Orlando, Florida and when I saw how people would get out of their seats, throw their hands up, shout and give praise, I realized that Gospel was the father of Soul. I saw that joy and that freedom, and I knew that I had to share that feeling with the world. I finally knew whom Soul music spoke for. It's not for Black people, or White people, or Brown people, or Purple people; it's for anyone who's ever heard a melody, ever heard a lyric and had it come together in such a way, at such a moment, that it transports them to a place where only the music is powerful enough to speak for them.
Do you remember these lyrics?
I was born by the river/In a little tent/Oh and just like the river I've been running ever since/ It's been a long, a long time coming/But I know a change gon' come, oh yes it will
Where were you? What were you doing? Whom were you with?
I remember I was at home, listening to my mother's albums, and it stirred something so powerful within me. Then later, I would see the images of the Civil Rights Movement. The dogs, and the guns, and the resolute strength on the faces of those brave people, those brave souls, who understood that this moment, this time in history, it was going to be different.
That's what Soul music does.
It puts the world in perspective. It shows you love in the darkest corners, behind the brightest lies, inside the most secret dreams. It pierces your heart and fills it with music.
Soul music allows a genius like Donny Hathaway to take the words of Leon Russell and infuse so much pain, love, heartache and regret, that when the notes of 'Song For You' trickle down the piano, the hearts of everyone listening begin to stir in recognition:
You taught me precious secrets of the truth withholding nothing/You came out in front and I was hiding/But now I'm so much better and if my words don't come together/Listen to the melody cause my love is in there hiding...
Those lyrics are the very essence of Soul music; they're the very core of who I am as an artist. Soul music introduced me to myself, to my own truth. It stands in front of me and speaks for me when the words just won't come together. Love, in all its forms, lives in Soul music. 'Song For You' touched me so profoundly that it became the cornerstone of my inspiration to write love songs. Nothing means more to me than to delve into how love develops and colors every aspect of humanity.
I've had people tell me that because I'm white, I shouldn't sing Soul music. I should sing rock or pop, or whatever else the blond-haired boy groups of the world are singing. But my soul doesn't live there. I want people to ignore the color of my skin and recognize themselves in my music. There is more to me than what is recognizable at face value. My generation has experienced more acceptance and less prejudice, so Soul music -- through my eyes -- allows me to demonstrate this. A person's soul isn't visible from the surface, and neither is Soul music. It is universal and distinct, and it uplifts my spirit each and every time I hear it. When people tell me they appreciate my music, it humbles me, because I know that it's not really me that they appreciate, but what my music allows them to feel -- if only for a few moments at a time. I realize that I'm a part of something larger than myself. When I am able to see how music touches people's hearts no matter their age, color, gender or religion, there is no better feeling.
When I look at the careers of Justin Timberlake, Robin Thicke, or even taking it further back to Michael McDonald, these are all white musicians who have not only flourished singing soul music, but helped to redefine the sound to be inclusive of all races. I have been ostracized by some people who accused me of trying to capitalize off a genre that does not belong to me, and though I can respect that opinion, it does not make me shrink away from my dreams, instead I chase them with more determination. Just as Black artists sing from the depths of their experiences, every criticism, every negative judgement thrown my way, I let it sink in and flow out through my music. Some people march to eradicate racism and bring people together, I sing.
No other sound, no other groove, no other hum, scat, whistle, or melody tells a story like Soul music. There is no other genre of music that transcends race, prejudice and classism -- if we let it. Soul music brands you like a hot poker and even when the throb isn't there anymore, you remember what it felt like. The right song is like the perfect snapshot with the ability to take you back into time or make you look to the future, or better yet, enable you to look around and enjoy the present. I feel that deep in my heart, and through my voice, I want others to feel it too.
Signing Stories
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Orlando, FL singer-songwriter Nate Larson has demonstrated a proactive approach to
his musical ca...
Orlando, FL singer-songwriter Nate Larson has demonstrated a proactive approach to
his musical career.
15, Larson chose to strike out on his own and follow his interest in R&B and pop. In 2007, the then 18-year-old established his company, Nate Larson Media, with the help of his mother, Terry Larson, in order to independently promote and distribute his own music.
“My team decided from the start that the way to move forward in the current music industry was to take control of my own career and get my music out, instead of waiting for things to settle down or waiting to be discovered,” says Larson.
Employing additional help in the form of man- ager, Fernando Gibson, Larson recorded a self- titled debut EP in 2010 and released it digitally via TuneCore. To promote his initial offering, Larson and his team went about utilizing various forms of viral marketing and radio publicity. In the process, they were keeping their eyes open for a label to partner with.
“I felt it would be ideal to form a joint venture project that would give me the ability to have a greater role in the business and creative process,” says Larson. “The old-school way of leaving your career in someone else’s hands isn’t the way to go and, maybe, never was.”
Larson eventually crossed paths with in- dependent music and video distributor, eOne. While Larson had discussed possibilities with other labels prior, it was ultimately eOne that the 22 year-old felt was the best option for his vision.
“[eOne’s] track record and willingness to try new ideas made it a great fit for this project. I can’t see any other way but to find a capable partner who does what they do at a high level, but also allows you to dictate your own path. I think eOne does that well.”
With Larson’s single, “Close To Love,” available now, look for his debut EP on eOne, Never Be The Same, to be released in the first quarter of 2012.
——Albert Vega
?NOVEMBER 2011 • MAGAZINE • DIGITAL EDITION • DAILY WEBSITE • WEEKLY BULLETIN • AMP NETWORK
NLM/Nia/eOne Recording Artist's Blue-Eyed Soul Singer Nate Larson Releases 'Close to Love' Off His Upcoming 6-track EP Never Be the Same
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Upon first look, there may be some aesthetical comparisons to other artists who have come before him...Upon first look, there may be some aesthetical comparisons to other artists who have come before him. But upon first listen, those parallels immediately begin to fade. Atlanta-born/ Orlando-raised singer-songwriter Nate Larson is poised to take the industry by storm with a dynamic Billboard-bound vocal style. Flaunting a musical style described as R&B with a pop edge, Nate has managed to tap into his broad range of musical influences while bringing a remarkably fresh sound all his own. The 22-year old singer is currently managed by Fernando Gibson of New City Entertainment, Gibson who has an eye for fresh talent served as longtime manager for India.Arie.
Though his current 2011 material may be whetting the appetites of contemporary pop & urban radio, Nate plans on digging a little deeper for his forthcoming 2012 full-length album:
“With my album, I see myself exploring the history of R&B, from the 1950s to the present, then on to the future...A lot of people my age like R&B, but may not really know the history...Everything has its roots in gospel music, which turned into blues and jazz. That, in turn, evolved into R&B, which leads us to where we are today.”
A new signee to eOne, the largest independent music and video distributor in North America, Nate’s upcoming 6-track EP Never Be The Same (NLM/Nia/eOne) includes tunes with the Grammy-winning songwriting/ production team of Shannon Sanders (India Arie, Johnny Lang, Eric Benet) and Drew Ramsey (Heather Headley, John Legend, Robert Randolph). The brilliant lead single, “Close To You,” is a shining testament to the successful pairing of the duo’s musical Midas touch and Nate’s vocal prowess. The Ramsey and Sanders-produced cut “Landmine” finds Nate premiering his commendable songwriting talents. Ramsey and Sanders also contributed the passionate “Live On Love,” an alluring duet with Dove Award winning singer-songwriter Rachael Lampa.
Other high-powered pop-R&B ballads and bangers were produced by esteemed industry vocal coach/songwriter Robert "RAab" Stevenson (Justin Timberlake, Kelly Rowland, Rihanna Jennifer Hudson) and producer Drake Murphy. From the blissful, guitar-driven “Perfect Picture” to the synth-laden “Miracle Girl,” the song’s lyrics give credence to the age old idiom love conquers all. The track is also featured in the upcoming feature length motion picture Escapee, starring Dominic Purcell, Danny Nucci, and Kadeem Hardison.
Since his beginnings in the fertile musical crescent of Atlanta, Nate has been incessantly grooming his gift of song. It wasn’t long before his insatiable love of music found him performing with a gospel group for a number of years. During his tenure with the group, Nate began to explore and become enamored with the full range of American popular music. But it wasn’t long before he realized that he had more of an affinity for the vast canon of black music:
“I have to say my favorite era of music was 90's R&B. Artists like Jodeci, Boyz II Men, Prince, Michael Jackson, and Luther Vandross. I got so much inspiration from a lot of the old Motown songwriters like Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye, I love the way they arranged background vocals.”
It’s apparent that Nate has big plans in store for himself. But equally apparent is his commitment to his career trajectory and personal growth...However, he’s also aiming to cement himself just beyond the borders of convention. After all, this is how legends are made.
Listen to single “Close to Love”
http://www.natelarsonmusic.net
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