Today we’d like to introduce you to Nate James.
Hi Nate, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
Born of American/ Cherokee Indian/ English/ Irish descent, I have dreamt of a career in music since about the age of 5. With my father being from North Carolina and mother from the north of England, the household was extremely musical, from Motown to Brit Pop and all the in-between!! During my teens, I came across my the new cats such as Maxwell, Boyz II Men and Brandy and began to learn the tricks of the trade from all these incredible vocalists. Before long I was off to London to sing for a producer, fascinated that this little self taught country boy had been recognised.
Shortly after, I had my first taste of the industry, signing a major label deal with WEA / Warner Bros, but sadly the excitement was short lived. With the entire label team being sacked within a year, we were dropped, but luckily KEPT THE MONEY! I was burnt and lost that spark to do what I loved for a couple years and minded my own business working as a bar manager in a local hotel back home, singing ALL THE TIME LOL! An incredible manager (Anthony Hamer – Hodges) and producers from London were knocking at my door to the point that I gave in and went into the studio again. Luck was shining down as once I had written my debut single ‘Set The Tone’ I inked a song writing deal with Universal and had the funds to release my debut album INDEPENDENTLY.
To this day, I feel a huge sense of pride to have been one of the first independent soul artists to come out of the UK, and the music did what it should, TRAVELLED! Tours and awards followed and my dream came true, to see the world through my music! Since then I have released three albums with the fourth one (‘In My Skin’) written, but in a world of quick changing tastes and streaming numbers being so vital, it’s tough to say when I can release it. But dropping four singles during a global pandemic is pretty good going!! You see I’m all about the silver linings, and when I’m low, I put lyrics down and get it out! My song ‘You’re Not Alone’ (available now) was probably written when I was at my lowest and to this day it’s my therapy. So too is the title track from the new album ‘In My Skin’, written with the incredible Shannon Sanders. It’s my testament, my coming out story.
From a guy who didn’t always know what lane to be in, sometimes you gotta make your own! Despite being unable to perform live for 18 months and do what I love, my light still burns bright, and that’s what will always keep me going !! Am yet to properly tour in the USA so believe me when I say, it’s TOP of my list and I cannot wait!!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Although I grew up in a quiet area in the east of England, being of mixed heritage has always been a challenge! I can’t pin point precise moments but looking back I can definitely say there were times I was made to feel that I didn’t belong. That coupled with mean kids at school bullying me because I was artistic it wasn’t the easiest but having the MOST incredible upbringing and parents has certainly overshadowed any negativity! Far as music goes, I recall a major UK radio station telling me that because they had Alicia Keys and Usher already on playlist rotation, there was no room for my music.
Looking back, I have to laugh as WHY could they not played me…. had they filled their ‘Urban’ music quota? Gimme a break!!! What even is that!? Needless to say there were other stations around the world that made space for me so, it’s still a win lol!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Singer, DJ, Voice Over Artist & Human Rights Activist. All these things bring me happiness, I fight for the joys of life, the power of song and self!
How do you think about luck?
I think both luck and determination have played a major part in my life. I feel the two go hand in hand as even with a little luck you have to keep moving it forward!! NO ONE is gonna just give it to you, and if they down, you better grab a hold with BOTH HANDS.
Contact Info:
- Email: harlesrossi@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenatejames/?hl=en
- Facebook: http://Www.facebook.com/natejamesofficial
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/nate__james?lang=en
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOmbwAIBbVVi7ymYQZQHjjzHn4jSuQJwN
- Other: https://www.snvoices.com/gentlemen/nate/james
Image Credits
Darkstar photography
