The Skunk-Boy Project
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The Skunk-Boy Project

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"Top Five Cardiff Folk Acts"

Nate Swettenham, the cheekbone-wielding man-child behind Skunk-Boy Project is no ordinary singer-songwriter. Equal parts Elton John, Patrick Wolf and Randy Newman; Nate’s recent self-titled EP is an exhilarating listen, but it’s on stage that he really comes to life. Armed with just his ukelele and his voice, many a Gwdihw crowd has been silenced by his charm, humility and incredible songs.
- GWDIHW


"Top Five Cardiff Folk Acts"

Nate Swettenham, the cheekbone-wielding man-child behind Skunk-Boy Project is no ordinary singer-songwriter. Equal parts Elton John, Patrick Wolf and Randy Newman; Nate’s recent self-titled EP is an exhilarating listen, but it’s on stage that he really comes to life. Armed with just his ukelele and his voice, many a Gwdihw crowd has been silenced by his charm, humility and incredible songs.
- GWDIHW


"Western Park Festival, Leicester"

Back to the bandstand for the inquisitively named ‘Skunk Boy Project’; his set starts with his ukulele, which he describes as the instrument of sunshine; very fitting for the sunny Saturday, and once his impeccably powerful voice kicks in we all know we are in for something special.
Easy listening, very well written songs, with highly relatable lyrics, and when mixing in some elaborate rapping, he makes it seem like we are listening to more than just a solo artist.
Three songs in, Skunk-Boy swaps to his piano for a cover of John Mayer’s Stop This Train, emphasising his musical talent and amazing vocal ability; followed by another great original before swapping back to his ukulele for the rest of the performance.
With every song he brings something new, each as impressive as the last, making for an absolutely outstanding set that I (as well as many others) was very sad to see end.
- Music In Leicester


"Western Park Festival, Leicester"

Back to the bandstand for the inquisitively named ‘Skunk Boy Project’; his set starts with his ukulele, which he describes as the instrument of sunshine; very fitting for the sunny Saturday, and once his impeccably powerful voice kicks in we all know we are in for something special.
Easy listening, very well written songs, with highly relatable lyrics, and when mixing in some elaborate rapping, he makes it seem like we are listening to more than just a solo artist.
Three songs in, Skunk-Boy swaps to his piano for a cover of John Mayer’s Stop This Train, emphasising his musical talent and amazing vocal ability; followed by another great original before swapping back to his ukulele for the rest of the performance.
With every song he brings something new, each as impressive as the last, making for an absolutely outstanding set that I (as well as many others) was very sad to see end.
- Music In Leicester


"Summer Sundae 2012"

One of Leicester's more unusual acoustic acts arrived on the stage at the Watering Hole in the shape of The Skunk Boy Project. Armed with his trade-mark Ukulele this distinctive singer and songwriter filled the tent with a goodly dose of charm and eloquence. On stage with Nate was his sister Elle who added in some vocal layering for some of the songs and his backing tracks which had been produced by his brother Al Swettenham. Another of this year's remarkable discoveries, Nate's reputation has been spreading like wild fire and it all looks very good for him. - http://www.artsinleicestershire.co.uk/summersundae/summersundae2012_sunday.htm


"Summer Sundae 2012"

One of Leicester's more unusual acoustic acts arrived on the stage at the Watering Hole in the shape of The Skunk Boy Project. Armed with his trade-mark Ukulele this distinctive singer and songwriter filled the tent with a goodly dose of charm and eloquence. On stage with Nate was his sister Elle who added in some vocal layering for some of the songs and his backing tracks which had been produced by his brother Al Swettenham. Another of this year's remarkable discoveries, Nate's reputation has been spreading like wild fire and it all looks very good for him. - http://www.artsinleicestershire.co.uk/summersundae/summersundae2012_sunday.htm


"Festival Line Up"

“Skunk Boy is a singer/songwriter who aspires to deliver something new, new styles, new sounds, new lyrics, new music. He grew up in Melton Mowbray playing the piano from an early age and now he drags a ukulele with him wherever he goes. There are millions of people out there for whom music provides a remedy, a driving force and an inspiration; and there are millions more who haven’t found the right music.”
- http://www.redfestbristol.co.uk


"Festival Line Up"

“Skunk Boy is a singer/songwriter who aspires to deliver something new, new styles, new sounds, new lyrics, new music. He grew up in Melton Mowbray playing the piano from an early age and now he drags a ukulele with him wherever he goes. There are millions of people out there for whom music provides a remedy, a driving force and an inspiration; and there are millions more who haven’t found the right music.”
- http://www.redfestbristol.co.uk


"EP Review & Interview"

Breathless, bouncy and catchier than chlamydia, this first effort from Melton's SBP could restore faith amongst the most jaded of cynics in the lost art of the intelligent pop song.

Splicing strands of hip hop, indie and R&B into something that doesn’t really resemble any of them is a skill in itself, but tossing wry lyrics and fiendishly hummable tunes into the mix is, quite frankly, taking the piss. 

The opener, Fourth On My List Of Lovable Evil Dictators, is a goofy beach party record with a rubberised bassline, cheekily detracting from its true intent - character assassination of an ex, complete with comparisons to Stalin and Hitler. 

No sooner has that finished than the funky handclap love-letter, Just A Friend, whirls into view and captures your ears, brain and heart. Melody and rhythm are perfectly matched, with cheeky vocals delivered clearly and sincerely. 

Then, on the brief but brilliant I Do It For Your Love, young Skunk-Boy raps at breakneck pace over a stuttering ukulele and somehow makes it sound natural and compelling instead of messily contrived.

With tear-jerking piano ballad sucker-punch, I've Got To Get You Out Of My Head, the EP rounds off as one of the most remarkably assured and accomplished solo debuts you’re likely to hear this year.
- The Monograph


Discography

Self-titled 5 track EP The Skunk-Boy Project. 05/06/2012

Single Release '4th On My List Of Loveable Evil Dictators' 16/10/12

Photos

Bio

Self-titled EP (released summer 2012)
'4th On My List Of Loveable Evil Dictators' chosen by Tom Robinson for BBC Introducing Mix Tape.
Shortlisted (1 of 19) for Breakthrough Act @ Larmer Tree Festival this year.

A final year Cardiff Uni. student, Nate Swettenham (The Skunk-Boy Project) broke onto the Leicester music scene in 2012 winning a competition to perform at Summer Sundae Weekender. A charismatic solo onstage figure, who quickly holds his audiences spellbound with his ukelele voice combo and keyboard skills. With apparent nonchalance he sings for you. Songs that combine intelligence and wit, a rare combination, drawing you in with the cleverest of lyrics woven through toe-tapping melodies.

Influences: Some of the 'old great' songwriters and some of the 'new'.
Eels, Bombay Bicycle Club, Fat Boy Slim, The Cat Empire, Randy Newman, James Taylor and Paul Simon.