Nathan Bishop

Artist Information

Biography

Nathan’s soulful and vivd sound didn’t happen by accident. Few singer/songwriters have had the opportunity to be steeped in such a diverse range of musical influences. Nathan was the primary songwriter and driving creative force behind the successful Canadian Celtic band, Celtae. Celtae spoke deeply to Nathan’s roots in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. But long before he started to play gigs across Canada in a kilt, he fronted alt rock group, Stevenson’s Cane (with Brian Talbot of Slowcoaster and Mike Richey). At the same time, Nathan was writing roots rock tunes, beatboxing and competing in freestyle rap battles.

After the dissolution of Celtae, Nathan began the process of distilling these diverse influences into a distinct style, “Chop” music. Nathan’s unique post hip hop roots rock takes his cue from other genre crossing visionaries such as Citizen Cope, Everlast and Wyclef Jean, but his sound is more planted in the roots, giving nods to Neil Young, the Band, Tracy Chapman, Bob Marley, Johnny Cash and Tom Petty. ?

Nathan's songs are poignant, sexy and shrewd, delivered in a voice that is soul and satin over whiskey and razor blades. Singer, songwriter, producer, poet, multi-instrumentalist, however you choose to refer to him, you will never forget Nathan Bishop's infectious groove and remarkable songwriting talents.

Instrumentation

When not performing solo acoustic gigs, the Nathan Bishop Band is a tight quartet including guitar, bass, keys and drums.

Discography

Nathan Bishop - Lovers, Leavers and Believers - 2011
Celtae - No Regrets - 2002 (sold 6000 + copies and counting)
Stevenson's Cane - Two Years Too Late - 1997

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace
• Twitter

Audio

• Opiates
  Listen  
• So Damn Special
  Listen  
• I Wanna Know Your Name
  Listen  
• Till I met your sister
  Listen  
• What am I Supposed to do?
  Listen  
• Good Intentions
  Listen  
• Four Cups of Coffee
  Listen  
• That Week In Montreal
  Listen  
• Without You
  Listen  
• Lose Control
  Listen  
• El Cocinero (I Just Wanna Know Your Name)
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Without You
• What am I supposed to do
• Four Cups of Coffee
• Opiates
• Good Intentions
• El Concinero (just wanna know your name)
• Till I met your sister
• So damn special

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE SONGWRITERS’ CIRCLE AN UNMITIGATED SUCCESS [+ Show ]
  

  OTTAWA May 21, 2008- Among the 60th Anniversary Celebrations for the State of Israel and the anti-Is...OTTAWA May 21, 2008- Among the 60th Anniversary Celebrations for the State of Israel and the anti-Israeli protesters assembled at the entrance to the National Arts Centre, one could not be faulted for not knowing about the other show that was happening at the NAC 4th Stage last night. That notwithstanding, many people did know and showed up in force to support the five songwriters who gathered to perform at the Songs from the Soul - Songwriters Circle.
  
  "I was really pleased with the turn out and was thrilled to provide some long overdue exposure to some extremely talented individuals." said songwriter Nathan Bishop, who hosted the event.
  
  Bishop, Andrea Curry, SL Sheehan, Neil McDaniel and Madison Sheane told stories and sang songs to an enthusiastic and packed house.
  
  A highlight of the event was the finale when the five performed a song they had composed together the night before the concert called, "Shut up, Songwriter", a humerous take on the numerous requests for cover songs so often foisted upon the singer/songwriters of the world.
  
  "It was such a wonderful reception for my first show in Ottawa." said three-time ECMA nominee Andrea Curry who sold all of the CDs she brought with her from Halifax for the performance."I hope there will be many more!"
  
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  For further information please contact:
  
  407 Records
  Att: Rick MacDonald
  613 695-3917

• VIVE LE MONTRÉAL ! [+ Show ]
  

  Montreal - May 18, 2008 - For over forty years the Yellow Door coffeehouse has been one of Montreal’...Montreal - May 18, 2008 - For over forty years the Yellow Door coffeehouse has been one of Montreal’s favourite acoustic music venues. On Saturday, May 17th the intimate basement in the McGill ghetto was buzzing with activity for Nathan Bishop’s first appearance in Montreal in nearly two years. The room was full of die hard supporters and new faces alike in anticipation of a night of original Canadian music.
  
  The show was opened by the Peter Steinmetz trio. Steinmetz’s cerebral poetic lyrics and breezy vibes made for a great start to the evening.
  
  After a brief intermission, Bishop took the stage to warm applause and performed his compositions unaccompanied. The stripped down acoustic set was a perfect fit for the warm intimate venue.
  
  Nathan plans to return the venue in the fall.
  
  -30-
  
  
  For further information please contact:
  
  407 Records
  Attn: Rick MacDonald
  613 695-3917

• NATHAN BISHOP HOSTS SONGWRITERS’ CIRCLE [+ Show ]
  

  Ottawa, Ontario May 2, 2008- “SONGS FROM THE SOUL – SONGWRITERS’ CIRCLE” is a rare and intimate peek...Ottawa, Ontario May 2, 2008- “SONGS FROM THE SOUL – SONGWRITERS’ CIRCLE” is a rare and intimate peek at some of Canada’s best up-and-coming songwriters in performance and conversation with host Nathan Bishop that takes place at the National Arts Centre on May 20, 2008 at 8pm.
  
  From the 4th Stage of the prestigious and intimate venue, songwriters including Bishop, two time ECMA nominee Andrea Curry, Stairwell K’s S.L. Sheehan, multi-instrumentalist/singer/songwriter Neil McDaniel, and Victoria B.C.’s Madison Sheane will trade stories about their favorite original compositions while performing them in an up close and personal, stripped down style. The vibe remains lighthearted while revealing the creative highs and lows that come with the writing process. The format welcomes the listener into the circle and offers insight behind the pen and strings of the next generation of Canadian songwriters.
  
  ”It’s my favorite format for a songwriter gig,” said Bishop, the founder and front man for the popular roots traditional band, Celtae. The songwriter’s new project is a marked departure from the Cape Bretoner’s Celtic roots.
  
  “I view my primary job as songwriter to be a storyteller. That much hasn’t changed, but different stories require different soundscapes. This project allows me to go far beyond the Celtic music that I cut my teeth on, while remembering the essential lessons about songwriting that I learned in that genre,” the writer continued.
  
  Perhaps the reason he loves this format so much is because he has the opportunity to get to the stories behind the songs and share experiences of life on the road with his peers. A bill for true music lovers, the SONGS FROM THE SOUL - SONGWRITERS’ CIRCLE gives audience members a new appreciation of the songs as they were written. “It’s a celebration of an art form for which we Canadians are world renowned. I’m very proud to be part of it,” concluded Bishop.
  -30-
  
  For further information please contact:
  
  A. Gregory Frankson
  10 Milligrams Promotions
  613-252-1777
  greg@ritallin.com
  

• BISHOP TO TRAVEL TO MIDDLE EAST [+ Show ]
  

  Ottawa - Singer songwriter, Nathan Bishop will travel to the middle east later this month for inspir...Ottawa - Singer songwriter, Nathan Bishop will travel to the middle east later this month for inspiration. The songwriter says this is a trip he has wanted to take for most of his life and is happy to be going there.
  
  "So many of the events that are happening all over the world are intimately linked with what is happening in the middle east, and in particular, Israel" said Bishop, "Its one thing to believe all of the hype coming across the airwaves, but I want to go there and see for myself the challenges the people of the region are facing every day."
  
  Bishop says he plans to spend most of his time in the state of Israel although trips to Jordan and Egypt are also possible.
  
  "Three of the worlds great spiritual traditions sprung from this land" said the songwriter, "I look forward to experiencing the sights, smells, tastes, and stories of this ancient and Holy place."
  
  -30-
  
  For media enquries please contact:
  
  407 Records
  Attn: Rick MacDonald
  613 695-3917
  info@nathanbishop.com

• Interview with Nathan Bishop [+ Show ]
  

  CK: Do you do any recording on your own? Nathan Bishop Band: So far I have only done studio r...CK:
  Do you do any recording on your own?
  
  
  Nathan Bishop Band:
  So far I have only done studio recording, but I have just purchased a computer with a view towards home recording.
  
  
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  CK:
  Are there any established artists with whom you would like to collaborate?
  
  
  Nathan Bishop Band:
  There are so many. I think I'd love to work with either Gordon Lightfoot or Wyclef Jean. I've always admired Lightfood for his story telling, and Wyclef just has a really cool vibe.
  
  
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  CK:
  When did you first start singing, what made you choose music?
  
  
  Nathan Bishop Band:
  The first time I sang in public I was 6 years old. I choked and forgot half of the words in front of the whole school. I just stood there till a teacher called me off stage! Since then I haven't really worried too much about stage fright. I chose music as a career because I knew I was going to be creating it anyway. It didn't matter what else I had to do for a living, I always wrote and performed my own music. I guess I just needed to do it for as long as I can remember.
  
  
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  CK:
  What is your favorite song on your current album?
  
  
  Nathan Bishop Band:
  Tough call. Its an ecclectic album because I think humans are complex beings that feel a wide range of emotions. I try to channel those emotions into songs so the vibe can't be the same the whole way. If I had to pick though, probably "What am I supposed to do."
  
  
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  CK:
  Do you feel that "underground" is just a marketing term like anything else?
  
  
  Nathan Bishop Band:
  For some people, maybe. But there are some really cool artists that just refuse to follow conventional wisdom and format for their own reasons and knowingly make access to certain markets virtually impossible. It also speaks to a community that takes ownership of an artist/musical style.
  
  
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  CK:
  What is important to you about the music?
  
  
  Nathan Bishop Band:
  That I keep creating music that speaks to people on an emotional level.
  
  
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  CK:
  What genre(s) would you say your music is under?
  
  
  Nathan Bishop Band:
  Its mostly acoustic. I call it roots alternative. Influences include everything from Tracy Chapman, Wyclef Jean, Stan Rogers, Pearl Jam to Everlast.
  
  
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  CK:
  Have you ever paid for advertising for the band?
  
  
  Nathan Bishop Band:
  yes.
  
  
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  CK:
  Are you looking to get a record deal? Why?
  
  
  Nathan Bishop Band:
  If the right deal came along at the right time, I would consider it. I really want to get my music to the world and the marketing and distribution network of a major label or an indie with major distribution is hard to rival.

Setlist

Typically a 90 minute set of original music plus encores.

Basic Requirements

Calendar