Natty Nation

Artist Information

Biography

Hard Roots Rock Reggae & Dub--this is the unique blend of music that is Natty Nation.

2012 marks their 17th anniversary of keeping the positive messages of their unique indigenous Wisconsin reggae beats throbbing through the heartland. Their messages of peace, love, community, & spreading positive vibrations have been ringing out since Natty's inception.

Natty has backed up reggae legends Lee "Scratch" Perry, and Chaka Demus & Pliers, and shared the stage with Ziggy, Damian, & Stephen Marley, Sister Carol, Steel Pulse, Burning Spear, Wailing Souls, Culture with Joseph Hill, Beenie Man, & countless others.

JAH Boogie and his backing band's tight but fluid, rootsy but funky, beautiful but gritty, righteous but real vibration is clear to anyone listening to their music, either at a show or on their stereo.

It's almost impossible not to dance at a Natty live performance. Every Natty Nation concert is a different experience. Their energy is infections & their dubtastic jams are complex, yet their message is simple: spread the positive vibration!

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Credentials:

Natty has received several awards during their 17 years, including:

•19 Madison Area Music Awards (MAMAs), including overall Artist of the Year, Best World Artist (3 years in a row), Album (3 years), Song (3 years), Hip-hop Song, Male Vocalist, Keyboardist, Guitarist, Bassist, & more
•Broadjam's international song of the month "Cool & Proper"
•Selection for the highly sought after Armed Forces Entertainment tour of the Middle East & Africa playing for the troops
•Wisconsin Area Music Award (WAMI) for Reggae Artist of the Year
•Best World Artist or Group for five years of the Isthmus' Newspaper's readers poll
and many more

Natty Nation has experience playing festivals, events, and other venues from coast to coast & abroad, performing at hundreds of clubs, theaters, outdoor music festivals, & Military bases abroad, including Summerfest, SXSW, CMJ Music Marathon, Millenium Music Conference, Atlantis Music Conference, Wookiefoot's Harvestfest, Bob Marley Fest in Florida, Freakfest, Bella Tempo, Subway's Music at the Zoo concert series, Habitat for Humanity's 100th House Celebration, & several others.

Natty Nation brings 17 years of performance experience, 17 years of songs from a great original 60+ song catalog, and a 17-year fan base, not to mention a huge email list & street team throughout the country & abroad.

Instrumentation

JAH Boogie - Bass, Lead Vocals
Aaron Konkol - Backing Vocals, keys, Melodica
PJ - Drums
Francisco - Drums, Percussion, & Backing Vocals
Louka, Trent, Mark, &/or Jason - Guitar

Discography

Suffice Single (2010)
Reincarnation (2008)
LIVE in Eau Claire (2008)
Seth's Picks - Best of Live 2003 - 2006 (2007)
Live Fan Club Releases Vol. 1-5 (2004)
Inatty In Jah Music (2003)
Rasta Revolution E.P (2002)
Live 9.21.2000 (2001)
Live '99-'00 (2000)
Earth Citizen (1998)
The Journey Has Just Begun (1996)

Links

• Facebook
• Last.fm
• Twitter
• MySpace
• Bandcamp - FREE Natty music!
• All NATTY albums on iTunes
• Natty's YouTube Channel
• Merchandise

Audio

• Cool & Proper
  Listen   Download
• Hurricane
  Listen   Download
• Suffice
  Listen   Download
• Journey
  Listen   Download
• Love Each Other
  Listen   Download
• No Apology
  Listen   Download
• Violent War Games
  Listen   Download
• Rasta Revolution (ft. Mr. Parker )
  Listen   Download
• Hold On Strong
  Listen   Download
• Greed (feat. Cloak & Dudu Stinks)
  Listen   Download

Lyrics

• Cool & Proper
• Hurricane
• Love Each Other
• Reincarnation
• Shepherd
• Black Hebrew
• Just Can't Stand It
• Rasta Revolution (ft. Mr. Parker)
• Itinually
• No Apology

Video

Save the Children (LIVE on the Urban Theater)

Photo Gallery

Press

• The Vail Trail [+ Show ]
  

  ‘The sound the band travels so far and wide to showcase is a chunky, guitar-driven, rock steady root...‘The sound the band travels so far and wide to showcase is a chunky, guitar-driven, rock steady roots reggae- unique in that, while carrying the one love sounds of Bob Marley and the beat of dancehall, manages to incorporate harder rock with an edge influenced by Jimi Hendrix.’

• Chicago Sun Times
  

  "...a Blazing Live act that performs conscious roots-style music with a hard rock edge! "

• Music-Tech.Net Showcase Review [+ Show ]
  

  It’s not a wonder that this consistently winning reggae act has been a hit both on college campuses ...It’s not a wonder that this consistently winning reggae act has been a hit both on college campuses and the festival circuit since the mid-90s. Boasting a slight rock edge that is somewhat unique for the genre, the band has crossover appeal.

• Portland St. University [+ Show ]
  

  "Natty Nation has picked up an even harder edge to preach JAH love. A Refreshing unifying roots rock..."Natty Nation has picked up an even harder edge to preach JAH love. A Refreshing unifying roots rock reggae show"

• Skank Productions(WDHX) [+ Show ]
  

  ‘Truly one of America’s best reggae bands….this quintet epitomizes roots rock reggae as they play co...‘Truly one of America’s best reggae bands….this quintet epitomizes roots rock reggae as they play conscious roots with a rock & roll edge’

• The Daily Illini [+ Show ]
  

  "In an age when so much music reflects the dark side of life, Natty Nation's unbashed feel-good vibe..."In an age when so much music reflects the dark side of life, Natty Nation's unbashed feel-good vibe is refreshing"

• The Reader(Omaha, NE)
  

  ‘If Hendrix met Marley they would sound like Natty Nation’---

• [4 full articles] Music with a message: Natty Nation uses reggae to reach audience [+ Show ]
  

  "Every song is a love song, it's a love song for humanity." These words spoken by Demetrius "JAH ..."Every song is a love song, it's a love song for humanity."
  
  These words spoken by Demetrius "JAH Boogie" Wainwright represent the feeling of the reggae music played by Natty Nation, of which he is a member. Natty Nation recently performed a free show on the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point campus that was filled with songs prompting listeners to take a global view.
  
  The band has been a staple in the Midwestern music community for 12 years, and it is easy to see why. The recent show had the musical flow of one ongoing song, a continuous rhythm that had the crowd moving and cheering for more.
  
  "The more people you get into the moment, the more powerful it is," JAH Boogie said.
  
  Natty Nation had no problem getting the crowd moving, but the tunes were not simple party music, they involved messages. Songs such as "Hurricane," written about Hurricane Katrina victims, and "Violent War Games," an obvious call to end warfare, makes the music more conducive to mankind itself.
  
  "I feel if I reach somebody, that's bigger than money," JAH Boogie said.
  
  The music spoke for itself, and so did the energy generated in the crowd by the socially conscious music. Natty Nation was called on stage for not one or two but three encores, showing that getting the message and music to eager fans is at the core of the band's mission and reggae itself. Natty Nation is a band that has backed up the messages in their songs. They have volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, played a benefit concert for Hurricane Katrina victims and recently performed during an event to promote homeless awareness in Madison.
  
  "It doesn't have a limit, a special area, it's everywhere," JAH Boogie said, speaking in reference to the homeless problem in Madison as well as in the nation.
  
  Natty Nation will be back in Stevens Point on Oct. 20, playing their brand of socially informative reggae at Clark Place.
  
  For more information on Natty Nation, go to the Web site www.nattynation.com
  -----------------------------------
  Natty Nation highlights Earth Day celebration
  
  by Johanna Nelson
  
  With its strong support for environmental practices such as sustainability and alternative energy sources, the Madison-based group known as Natty Nation was right at home at Friday's Eco Fair.
  
  While college students and community members explored the various booths - featuring displays from organizations such as WISPIRG, Society for Ecological Restoration, Stevens Point Co-op and Citizens Energy Cooperative - the members of Natty Nation filled the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point campus with their fusion of traditional roots reggae, rock, funk and dub.
  
  "A lot of our songs relate to (environmental issues)," said Aaron Konkol, keyboardist and backing vocalist for Natty Nation. "Through our music, we spread our message. Not many voices are heard in today's corporate (world), and we try to counteract that."
  
  Known for their socially conscious lyrics, the five-member group makes it a point to support local organizations and events through fund-raisers - last January's benefit concert for the Dane County chapter of Habitat for Human-ity raised $5,000 to help build affordable housing.
  
  The group also volunteers its time at Madi-son's African American Ethnic Academy and participates in awareness-raising events such as Friday's Earth Day celebration, which marked the group's first show in at least two months, according to Konkol.
  
  "The last few months have been busy - we've been in the studio constantly," Konkol said.
  
  In addition to working on material for Natty Nation, the band also has been busy with another project known as dumate, which features socially conscious, educational hip-hop.
  
  With the studio work behind them, the group plans to continue touring and looks forward to returning to Stevens Point.
  
  "The fans here are awesome," said Konkol, who has roots in the Stevens Point area. "The vibe up here is great. The campus is a great place to play, and we're appreciative of all the fan support."
  
  Since its formation in 1995, the group has produced eight albums - three studio-recorded and five live - including 2003's Inatty In Jah Music, which honored former member Jeffrey Maxwell, who succumbed to cancer in 2001.
  
  After Maxwell's death, the group underwent a number of changes, said bassist and lead vocalist Demetrius Wainwright.
  
  "With Maxwell, (the group was) more traditional sounding from an outsider's perspective," Wainwright said. "With me as the lead singer, the band is more modern, more hip-hop."
  
  --------------------------------------
  
  Natty Nation returns to Point
  
  Central Wisconsin reggae fans have had a long love affair with the Madison-based band Natty Nation. From the late night gigs at Witz End to the Midwest Renewable Energy Fair, when Natty Nation performs, no one can resist the temptation to dance.
  After a one-year hiatus to renew their energy, the band is back in fine form. They will return to Clark Place, 1009 Clark St., on Saturday.
  
  Fans can expect musical styles from roots, rock, dub, dance hall with some funk flavor. Adding some spice from lyrical messages that speak to the love that sustains a community makes for a high energy night.
  
  The three-piece reggae band, Nama Rupa, will open the show at 9:30 p.m.
  
  Admission is $8 or $6 for students. For more information, call 343-1530 or go to the Web site
  www.clarkplace.com.
  ----------------------------------
  
  Natty Nation brings island sounds to Stevens Point
  
  by Trudy Stewart
  
  Natty Nation, the primary purveyors of reggae music to central Wisconsin, are coming back on Friday to the Witz End, 1274 N. Second Drive.
  
  The band plans a compact disc release party for its long-awaited, "Inatty in Jah Music." After the death of original member and frontman J. Maxx, a little over a year ago, the band opted to take a while to release this CD to get the vibe just right. So it's inviting central Wisconsin fans to come out and boogie.
  

• [full article] Concert Review: Local Reggae Favorites Lay it Down Rasta-Style [+ Show ]
  

  Abysmal temperatures and snowy roads couldn’t even stop this show from happening. Madison’s Natty Na...Abysmal temperatures and snowy roads couldn’t even stop this show from happening. Madison’s Natty Nation, facing snowy, traffic-jammed roads, and fans, enduring sub-zero temperatures and even colder wind-chills, finally came together to bring some heat into the Encore in the University Center last Friday.
  
  
  Starting right on schedule without much time for soundchecking, Natty tore through a 90-minute set of cut-and-dry original reggae tunes. Bassist and lead singer Demetrius “Jah Boogie” Wainwright held down the front of the stage, determining the pace of each tune not only with a bouncy bassline but also by shimmying creepily around the stage, like a cat stalking a bird in the distance.
  
  
  That’s not to say that the rest of Natty is unpleasant to watch, though. All of the band members demonstrated a certain degree of animation while playing, especially Aaron Konkol on keys and Peter Johnston on drums and percussion. (To keep things fresh, Johnston and Pauly Willis switch off on drums and percussion halfway through the set.)
  
  
  Although Natty’s blend of traditional reggae became a bit repetitive after an hour, their strongest musical moments rested in the hand of keyboardist Aaron Konkol. Combining sounds of non-traditional to reggae during extended solos transformed Natty’s music from reggae to a hybrid mixture of reggae, downtempo dub and a little bit of electronic craziness that really can’t be classified. These moments with Konkol’s extended solos were the best music that Natty played all night.
  
  
  Natty Nation is a band that visits Point regularly and I’ve never walked out feeling like I’ve seen the same show twice. Although they hit a bit of repetition halfway through, it’s still hard not to dance when Natty’s on stage.

• [full article] Five Good-Looking Guys Who Sure Can Boogie - NATTY NATION [+ Show ]
  

  When formed: 1995, after founding member Wainwright & 2 others split from a more traditional grou...When formed:
  
  1995, after founding member Wainwright & 2 others split from a more traditional group. "We wanted to do more rock, harder hitting, have a younger vibe."
  
  
  Web site:
  
  www.NattyNation.com
  
  
  Most recent album:
  
  "Inatty in Jah Music," finished in February and the first recording by the band since losing key member Jeffrey Maxwell to cancer in 2001.
  
  
  They say they sound like:
  
  "Let me think of something cool. Steel Pulse meets Hendrix."
  
  
  We say they sound like:
  
  Reggae for the 21st century.
  
  
  Describe your look:
  
  "Handsome. Five good-looking guys. We all got the rasta vibe."
  
  
  Sell yourself in 20 words or less:
  
  "We take people on a musical roller coaster, a peaceful roller coaster. It's reggae, but it's a lot more than that."
  
  
  Favorite food on the road:
  
  "Indian food. Tikka masala with lots of sides."
  
  
  Unofficial band beverage:
  
  "Bottled water. That's not that exciting. We also make our own smoothies."
  
  
  What other band could you take in a fight?
  
  "We take 'em all. Musically, that is. When the music hits, we don't feel no pain. We can box all day."
  
  
  Worst gig:
  
  "At Oh, Schucks in Salt Lake City, November 1998. We were our own soundman and there were peanut shells everywhere."
  
  
  Weirdest fan encounter:
  
  "The naked guy at Weedstock '97. He was just running around, naked. There was nothing that could be done about it."
  
  
  Song you've written that you're most proud of:
  
  "I don't know that I've written it yet."
  
  
  Favorite cover song in your live show:
  
  Black Uhuru's "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner." "But we use our own melodies and throw in our own words."
  
  
  Biggest band achievement:
  
  "Finishing this album. We hadn't released a studio album in five years, plus there were the circumstances, losing Jeffrey. It was definitely a hard experience to see someone you love suffer. But he was always positive and told us to keep going."
  
  
  Why do you do this?
  
  "It's a calling for all of us. We've been in music for most of our lives. It's natural."
  
  
  Where do you want to be in five years?
  
  "More national, more international. We're a little bit of both now, but we want more. And to be still playing."
  
  
  What's the greatest song ever written?
  
  "I don't know. Has it been written?"
  
  
  Next gig:
  
  CD release party at 10 March 14 at Onopa Brewing Company, 735 E. Center St., with DJ Selector Z. Cover is $8.

Setlist

All Original. Set lists are comprised of songs from the first four studio albums and new material that has yet to be recorded or released. Natty usually plays one or two sets between 70 and 90 minutes each, but this changes from venue to venue, night to night. Samples of all of our recorded music can be found at: http://nattynation.bandcamp.com

Basic Requirements

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