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What’s the first thing that people associate with Nashville, Tennessee? Music, more specifically Country Music. It’s home for many of Country Music’s biggest stars i.e. Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift and the deceased Johnny Cash (his spirit is kept alive within the city). So why do I bring this all up? Because underneath the giant cowboy boots and hats hanging over Broadway Street is a Rock scene that is really starting to get people’s attention. Not only has Jack White set up shop with Third Man Records, but rising Rock bands such as King Tuff, Diarrhea Planet and Wild Cub (see our Concert Review) have emerged from the booming music scene. Nava Hotel is hoping to have the same success as these aforementioned bands and judging by their EP Never Loved You, I would say they have as good a chance as any.
I recently caught up with Charlie Abbot to ask him a few questions and to get some back story on the band:
RJ*: Who makes up Nava Hotel?
NH*: Charlie Abbott: Guitar and Vox
Chris Hellmann (MTV): Guitars
Sean Bennett: Percussion
Chris Plank: Bass and Vox
RJ: What’s the back story behind the name of the band?
NH: After a couple futile attempts at coming up with a name, our friend Logan suggested as a creative/thinking exercise we think of a place where our band would play a show and to name that place. A few weeks later, the stars aligned and Charlie came up with Nava Hotel, which I thought was perfect and the name stuck. The name has become a symbol of the band – a sort of sanctuary where we as a band reside and focus our energies towards the common goal of rocknroll.
RJ: Are you all originally from Nashville?
NH: No, none of us are. I’m (Charlie) from Wisconsin, MTV is from Cincinnati, Plank’s from St. Louis and Sean is from Denver. We all ended up here randomly.
RJ: Major influences?
NH: The Stones, The Whigs, Clutch, Smashing Pumpkins and various metal.
RJ: How long have you been playing together?
NH: Since January of 2013
RJ: Do you consider yourselves a part of the Nashville rock “revival”? I.e. King Tuff, Diarrhea Planet, Wild Cub to name a few. It seems to me that there is part of Nashville rejecting the Country scene.
NH: I guess so, there are a lot of great rock bands in Nashville right now and I think we are one of them. All Them Witches play some pretty sick stoner rock jams, I’m pretty excited about what those guys are doing.
RJ: Do you have plans for a full length soon?
NH: Yes, we’re currently tracking out demos in our home studio and plan on doing a debut full length hopefully by the end of this year.
RJ: Favorite Sushi & favorite sushi/music combination?
NH: Mr. and Mrs. Kim at Wild Wasabi make some amazing Sushi, they have this one thing called “This Is How We Roll” and it’s a California roll covered with some awesome remoulade concoction and tempura shrimp. Ideally I’m eating 1-2 of those and listening to Metallica.
*Regular John
*Nava Hotel
Never Loved You is a very strong EP for a number of reasons. There is something to be said for the power of a really good breakup song. Shit, Taylor Swift has become a superstar getting up off of her back to trash the last guy who dumped her. My point is, most people can identify with the anger and “good riddance” attitude that can come along with a breakup. The title track “Never Loved You” wraps all of these emotions up into a guitar-pounding two minutes and fourteen seconds then spits it into the faces of discarded lovers everywhere. The song is wildly infectious and will even get your grandma bobbing her head (with the possibility of full on head thrashing, you have been WARNED).
The album continues with “Harder,” which is where I first spotted The Whigs influence the band had alluded to during our interview. The breakup theme continues with the words yelled “It’s harder and harder to love you now!” The next song on the album is my personal favorite, “I’ll Never Know.” I love the slow start, only to be overtaken by the explosion of crashing drums and loud distorted guitars. I can actually spot a tinge of some southern-style Rock and Roll sprinkled in there (maybe Nashville is starting to take root in the band?). The EP ends with “Swamp Song” which begins with a bass/guitar combo that feels like it could reside down on the bayou. But like the others, it ramps up to a Rock fury channeling those early Metal influences that most certainly includes some Metallica (maybe recorded while eating some sushi from Mr. and Mrs. Kim?).
Unfortunately, I’ve only had the pleasure to visit Nashville once in my lifetime and honestly, the Country stigma was a reason I had shied away from the city in the past. But with bands like Nava Hotel emerging from the side streets and crevices outside of the bright lights, a follow-up visit has been added to my short-term plans. - Music Sushi
What’s the first thing that people associate with Nashville, Tennessee? Music, more specifically Country Music. It’s home for many of Country Music’s biggest stars i.e. Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift and the deceased Johnny Cash (his spirit is kept alive within the city). So why do I bring this all up? Because underneath the giant cowboy boots and hats hanging over Broadway Street is a Rock scene that is really starting to get people’s attention. Not only has Jack White set up shop with Third Man Records, but rising Rock bands such as King Tuff, Diarrhea Planet and Wild Cub (see our Concert Review) have emerged from the booming music scene. Nava Hotel is hoping to have the same success as these aforementioned bands and judging by their EP Never Loved You, I would say they have as good a chance as any.
I recently caught up with Charlie Abbot to ask him a few questions and to get some back story on the band:
RJ*: Who makes up Nava Hotel?
NH*: Charlie Abbott: Guitar and Vox
Chris Hellmann (MTV): Guitars
Sean Bennett: Percussion
Chris Plank: Bass and Vox
RJ: What’s the back story behind the name of the band?
NH: After a couple futile attempts at coming up with a name, our friend Logan suggested as a creative/thinking exercise we think of a place where our band would play a show and to name that place. A few weeks later, the stars aligned and Charlie came up with Nava Hotel, which I thought was perfect and the name stuck. The name has become a symbol of the band – a sort of sanctuary where we as a band reside and focus our energies towards the common goal of rocknroll.
RJ: Are you all originally from Nashville?
NH: No, none of us are. I’m (Charlie) from Wisconsin, MTV is from Cincinnati, Plank’s from St. Louis and Sean is from Denver. We all ended up here randomly.
RJ: Major influences?
NH: The Stones, The Whigs, Clutch, Smashing Pumpkins and various metal.
RJ: How long have you been playing together?
NH: Since January of 2013
RJ: Do you consider yourselves a part of the Nashville rock “revival”? I.e. King Tuff, Diarrhea Planet, Wild Cub to name a few. It seems to me that there is part of Nashville rejecting the Country scene.
NH: I guess so, there are a lot of great rock bands in Nashville right now and I think we are one of them. All Them Witches play some pretty sick stoner rock jams, I’m pretty excited about what those guys are doing.
RJ: Do you have plans for a full length soon?
NH: Yes, we’re currently tracking out demos in our home studio and plan on doing a debut full length hopefully by the end of this year.
RJ: Favorite Sushi & favorite sushi/music combination?
NH: Mr. and Mrs. Kim at Wild Wasabi make some amazing Sushi, they have this one thing called “This Is How We Roll” and it’s a California roll covered with some awesome remoulade concoction and tempura shrimp. Ideally I’m eating 1-2 of those and listening to Metallica.
*Regular John
*Nava Hotel
Never Loved You is a very strong EP for a number of reasons. There is something to be said for the power of a really good breakup song. Shit, Taylor Swift has become a superstar getting up off of her back to trash the last guy who dumped her. My point is, most people can identify with the anger and “good riddance” attitude that can come along with a breakup. The title track “Never Loved You” wraps all of these emotions up into a guitar-pounding two minutes and fourteen seconds then spits it into the faces of discarded lovers everywhere. The song is wildly infectious and will even get your grandma bobbing her head (with the possibility of full on head thrashing, you have been WARNED).
The album continues with “Harder,” which is where I first spotted The Whigs influence the band had alluded to during our interview. The breakup theme continues with the words yelled “It’s harder and harder to love you now!” The next song on the album is my personal favorite, “I’ll Never Know.” I love the slow start, only to be overtaken by the explosion of crashing drums and loud distorted guitars. I can actually spot a tinge of some southern-style Rock and Roll sprinkled in there (maybe Nashville is starting to take root in the band?). The EP ends with “Swamp Song” which begins with a bass/guitar combo that feels like it could reside down on the bayou. But like the others, it ramps up to a Rock fury channeling those early Metal influences that most certainly includes some Metallica (maybe recorded while eating some sushi from Mr. and Mrs. Kim?).
Unfortunately, I’ve only had the pleasure to visit Nashville once in my lifetime and honestly, the Country stigma was a reason I had shied away from the city in the past. But with bands like Nava Hotel emerging from the side streets and crevices outside of the bright lights, a follow-up visit has been added to my short-term plans. - Music Sushi
“With an E.P. set to release in August, Nava Hotel is reminding Nashville that the future of rock is still alive and hopeful”
I have only been in Nashville two weeks when I stumble across Nava Hotel while searching online for shows happening on a Wednesday night. As I sit in my apartment and listen to the previews that artists offer I find myself disappointed with my choices for that night. As luck would have it, when I almost gave up my search for something worth time to spend on, the final band I wearily bring myself to listen to is Nava Hotel. After wading through this sea of artists I listen to their first E.P. which is titled, simply enough, Nava Hotel. ‘Bingo!’ I think to myself. On this night they were playing with two singer-songwriters and a country/hip-hop/rock group of an interesting sound. I decide that Nava Hotel is what I am looking for on my first outing into the canopy of music that shades this city.
It is a beautifully warm Wednesday evening in Nashville so I decide to take my bike. The downward slope to downtown via 12th Avenue South provides me with a cooling breeze and easy ride. As I make my way to the Gulch I look up at the buildings that cradle the street. The sun is setting gently into a clear horizon as gigantic, rectangular shadows fall across the city streets. These new sights fill me with a curiosity about what a new city waiting for me has to offer while the songs from the band I am on my way to interview are playing through my head. This musical escape thankfully erases the realization that my ride home will basically be completely uphill after those rectangles disappear into the darkness.
A short ride later I find the street I am looking for, Porter, and I lock my bike up in the alley and text myself the combination. Though the outside temperature is mild I still look forward to cooling down inside the venue. To my dismay I quickly find out how much warmer 12th and Porter is than the wide world outside. Next, I find out what a cool venue this is. The bar area has a low overhead ceiling that floats just high enough above the bar’s surface. The standing area where the crowd forms is empty except for the ghosts from shows past that can still be seen dancing, swaying, and feeding their energy to whoever is on stage feeding energy to them. I then find myself inspired by a stage of courteous size. I also find myself to be early. A beer finds my hand.
My night begins by being the awkward stranger in the back corner of this place. This, I am sure, is a subconscious move that puts me near the exit in case a quick escape from half-step-off singers becomes necessary. I sip my way through an acoustic guitar/violin duo that plays to an almost empty venue–the pains of being the first act. As the crowd grows the next group takes the stage which is previewed by the hustle and bustle of the setting up and breaking down of equipment. The next band begins and I sip through that interesting set as the heat of this place grips my face and squeezes the sweat from my forehead. I sip through that, too.
The band I am here for takes the stage and begins their own ceremony of setting up their equipment. Since I have time I step outside for fresh air before I pull out my tiny red notebook to scribble down nuances and happenings in that pizza oven. The normal cacophony of a band sound checking breaks my gaze of wonder of how beautiful a sun can set over a city. These “check’s”, repetitive bass drum hits, random guitar riffs, and bass guitar bursts are muffled by the brick-walls. The highs sneak out through the open door and repeat themselves down 12th Avenue.
There is a moment of silence that is noticeably the break a band takes before they dip into their library of songs and deal them out to the crowd. This crowd receiving these songs has grown to a modest size. The band pulls back and releases their arrows of frequencies that they have aimed at the crowd. Within the first thirty seconds of their first song I know these guys have it. This quartet has the wardrobe of four guys that are up on stage playing music because they legitimately enjoy the music they are playing. There are no hired guns. They play together like they communicate strictly through their respective instrument. The presence on stage speaks of what they have accomplished as a whole instead of showcasing songs that sound like artists before. The lights change from green to red to orange and back to green. It is as if the lights are stirring up the energy in the venue. While the lights enjoy themselves I take turns focusing in on each individual member and notice that each is feeling what they are playing in their own way. The lead guitarist is playing subtle, catchy melodies while the bass drives the song forward. The drummer makes sure your head bobs back and forth while an organic voice is telling you how the song feels. It is surely a sound that all in Nashville can relate to.
This Wednesday night crowd seems to - Sick Of The Radio
“With an E.P. set to release in August, Nava Hotel is reminding Nashville that the future of rock is still alive and hopeful”
I have only been in Nashville two weeks when I stumble across Nava Hotel while searching online for shows happening on a Wednesday night. As I sit in my apartment and listen to the previews that artists offer I find myself disappointed with my choices for that night. As luck would have it, when I almost gave up my search for something worth time to spend on, the final band I wearily bring myself to listen to is Nava Hotel. After wading through this sea of artists I listen to their first E.P. which is titled, simply enough, Nava Hotel. ‘Bingo!’ I think to myself. On this night they were playing with two singer-songwriters and a country/hip-hop/rock group of an interesting sound. I decide that Nava Hotel is what I am looking for on my first outing into the canopy of music that shades this city.
It is a beautifully warm Wednesday evening in Nashville so I decide to take my bike. The downward slope to downtown via 12th Avenue South provides me with a cooling breeze and easy ride. As I make my way to the Gulch I look up at the buildings that cradle the street. The sun is setting gently into a clear horizon as gigantic, rectangular shadows fall across the city streets. These new sights fill me with a curiosity about what a new city waiting for me has to offer while the songs from the band I am on my way to interview are playing through my head. This musical escape thankfully erases the realization that my ride home will basically be completely uphill after those rectangles disappear into the darkness.
A short ride later I find the street I am looking for, Porter, and I lock my bike up in the alley and text myself the combination. Though the outside temperature is mild I still look forward to cooling down inside the venue. To my dismay I quickly find out how much warmer 12th and Porter is than the wide world outside. Next, I find out what a cool venue this is. The bar area has a low overhead ceiling that floats just high enough above the bar’s surface. The standing area where the crowd forms is empty except for the ghosts from shows past that can still be seen dancing, swaying, and feeding their energy to whoever is on stage feeding energy to them. I then find myself inspired by a stage of courteous size. I also find myself to be early. A beer finds my hand.
My night begins by being the awkward stranger in the back corner of this place. This, I am sure, is a subconscious move that puts me near the exit in case a quick escape from half-step-off singers becomes necessary. I sip my way through an acoustic guitar/violin duo that plays to an almost empty venue–the pains of being the first act. As the crowd grows the next group takes the stage which is previewed by the hustle and bustle of the setting up and breaking down of equipment. The next band begins and I sip through that interesting set as the heat of this place grips my face and squeezes the sweat from my forehead. I sip through that, too.
The band I am here for takes the stage and begins their own ceremony of setting up their equipment. Since I have time I step outside for fresh air before I pull out my tiny red notebook to scribble down nuances and happenings in that pizza oven. The normal cacophony of a band sound checking breaks my gaze of wonder of how beautiful a sun can set over a city. These “check’s”, repetitive bass drum hits, random guitar riffs, and bass guitar bursts are muffled by the brick-walls. The highs sneak out through the open door and repeat themselves down 12th Avenue.
There is a moment of silence that is noticeably the break a band takes before they dip into their library of songs and deal them out to the crowd. This crowd receiving these songs has grown to a modest size. The band pulls back and releases their arrows of frequencies that they have aimed at the crowd. Within the first thirty seconds of their first song I know these guys have it. This quartet has the wardrobe of four guys that are up on stage playing music because they legitimately enjoy the music they are playing. There are no hired guns. They play together like they communicate strictly through their respective instrument. The presence on stage speaks of what they have accomplished as a whole instead of showcasing songs that sound like artists before. The lights change from green to red to orange and back to green. It is as if the lights are stirring up the energy in the venue. While the lights enjoy themselves I take turns focusing in on each individual member and notice that each is feeling what they are playing in their own way. The lead guitarist is playing subtle, catchy melodies while the bass drives the song forward. The drummer makes sure your head bobs back and forth while an organic voice is telling you how the song feels. It is surely a sound that all in Nashville can relate to.
This Wednesday night crowd seems to - Sick Of The Radio
Nava Hotel is a blistering 4 piece from Nashville, and are a fantastic representation of the local underground sound that is on fire right now. Breeding styles of garage, punk, blues and psychedelia, Nava Hotels “Never Loved You” EP is a short 4 song taste of the bands upbeat and tasteful sound. In the words of American Songwriter: “ Break up songs aren’t supposed to go down easy. This one hits like a sweaty shot of bourbon.” And they are right. There are some heavy hitting, gritty tunes on this EP, so shred the gnar, take a listen and stay up with Nava Hotel. - Planet Rad
Nava Hotel is a blistering 4 piece from Nashville, and are a fantastic representation of the local underground sound that is on fire right now. Breeding styles of garage, punk, blues and psychedelia, Nava Hotels “Never Loved You” EP is a short 4 song taste of the bands upbeat and tasteful sound. In the words of American Songwriter: “ Break up songs aren’t supposed to go down easy. This one hits like a sweaty shot of bourbon.” And they are right. There are some heavy hitting, gritty tunes on this EP, so shred the gnar, take a listen and stay up with Nava Hotel. - Planet Rad
Nava Hotel have a chip on their shoulder, but they wear it well. The Nashville rock outfit formed earlier this year and have since self-released 2 EPs.
They’re off to a reckless start with “Never Loved You,” a pounding, in-your-face ode to severing ties that’s as vulnerable as it is bitter and awesome. Break up songs aren’t supposed to go down easy. This one hits like a sweaty shot of bourbon.
ARTIST: Nava Hotel
SONG: Never Loved You
CURRENT LOCATION: Nashville
TURN-OFFS: Dan Fick
TURN-ONS: Nava Hotel
FAVORITE LYRIC: “Time to move one, Time to get going..” Tom Petty
CRAZIEST PERSON I KNOW: There have been an awful lot of crazy people along the way it would not be fair to award just one with the title of “craziest” It’s a relative term anyway
SONG I WISH I WROTE: Somebody to Love – Queen | I want this song to be played at my funeral..or wedding it doesn’t matter. This song breaks my heart and it feels so good.
THIS SONG’S STORY: Like most of our songs this started as a simple riff that we jammed on. This was actually the first song we wrote with Chris [Plank] on bass. It’s about a girl that was very easy to love and very difficult to be with. - American Songwriter
Nava Hotel have a chip on their shoulder, but they wear it well. The Nashville rock outfit formed earlier this year and have since self-released 2 EPs.
They’re off to a reckless start with “Never Loved You,” a pounding, in-your-face ode to severing ties that’s as vulnerable as it is bitter and awesome. Break up songs aren’t supposed to go down easy. This one hits like a sweaty shot of bourbon.
ARTIST: Nava Hotel
SONG: Never Loved You
CURRENT LOCATION: Nashville
TURN-OFFS: Dan Fick
TURN-ONS: Nava Hotel
FAVORITE LYRIC: “Time to move one, Time to get going..” Tom Petty
CRAZIEST PERSON I KNOW: There have been an awful lot of crazy people along the way it would not be fair to award just one with the title of “craziest” It’s a relative term anyway
SONG I WISH I WROTE: Somebody to Love – Queen | I want this song to be played at my funeral..or wedding it doesn’t matter. This song breaks my heart and it feels so good.
THIS SONG’S STORY: Like most of our songs this started as a simple riff that we jammed on. This was actually the first song we wrote with Chris [Plank] on bass. It’s about a girl that was very easy to love and very difficult to be with. - American Songwriter
Discography
Never Loved You (2013)
Nava Hotel (2013)
Photos
Bio
"They’re off to a reckless start with “Never Loved You,” a pounding, in-your-face ode to severing ties that’s as vulnerable as it is bitter and awesome. Break up songs aren’t supposed to go down easy. This one hits like a sweaty shot of bourbon." - American Songwriter
"Nava Hotel is a blistering 4 piece from Nashville, and are a fantastic representation of the local underground sound that is on fire right now. Breeding styles of garage, punk, blues and psychedelia, Nava Hotels “Never Loved You” EP is a short 4 song taste of the bands upbeat and tasteful sound. " - Planet Rad
“These guys have a hint of true southern rock and their fresh hooks and relieving sound are what will catapult them to the forefront of Nashville’s ears and eyes real soon.” - Sick Of The Radio
"The title track “Never Loved You” wraps all of these emotions up into a guitar-pounding two minutes and fourteen seconds then spits it into the faces of discarded lovers everywhere." - Music Sushi
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