Nathan Angelo, Chris Ayer

In the ever-changing landscape of modern pop, Nathan Angelo shines as a refreshing alternative, embracing the classic elements of popular music and celebrating the backbeat of American tradition. As the revival of music in the 60’s and 70’s brought together the heritage of the Great American songbook, the flair of jazz and heartache of the Delta blues, Angelo integrates these forms into his own music with great ease and delight. Like many Motown and Stax artists, Angelo’s musical craft was cultivated at a young age in the pews and platform of the church. It was there that he first witnessed the power music had to transport people beyond their present experiences.

As a seasoned performer, Angelo has captivated audiences across the country with his tight band and high-spirited live show. Fans of Nathan Angelo recently rallied to fund his latest project on Kickstarter with totals reaching 10K over the projected goal. The new album began with a creative vision rooted in Angelo’s love of classic soul and R&B. His dream was to create an original record that brought listeners back to the infectious, danceable sounds of the era.

Out of the Blue (Sept. 2013) channels the vibe with success, featuring fresh, amusing songs with sounds reminiscent of Marvin Gaye, Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder and Otis Redding. In order to capture the energy of the live show, Angelo and his band spent two days in the world-famous Quad Studios in Nashville recording analog onto 2” tape. The project incorporates the signature “call and response” singing style common to Motown as well as the distinct orchestration: horn sections, strings, guitars, snaps, claps, tambourine and the unforgettable keys. To complete the aesthetic, Angelo’s breathtaking falsetto and honest, quirky and charming songwriting reach surprising new heights, satisfying listeners with an all-around experience of nostalgia, energy and emotion. The timeless and unique artistic direction of this record coupled with its phenomenal execution and production allow Out of the Blue to emerge as Angelo’s most exquisite work to date.

Ayer grew up in McLean, Virginia, and got his start singing along to old cassette tapes of Elvis and Paul Simon on car rides. When his dad got him his first guitar as a teen, he started writing songs that same day. After moving to northern California, he started sharing his songs locally, while studying philosophy and music at Stanford University.

Though his songwriting started as a hobby, it quickly became his main focus. "Honestly, I started school thinking I'd study physics, but that changed real fast. And while people around me were playing music and writing songs here and there as a break, playing and writing became all I wanted to do." Though studies in music theory & history at first informed his songwriting, the dry academics of a regimented music department became increasingly uninspiring for him. It was Ayer's interest in philosophy and his affinity to the lyrical elements of poetry that ultimately gave voice to his writing. The works of writers like Ralph Waldo Emerson, Robert Frost, and Rumi, as well as songwriters such as Paul Simon and Leonard Cohen make a significant impact on Ayer's own lyrics.