Americana artist Nathan Jacques chatted about his music, and he premiered his music video for “Young Devil.”
You have a “Live Out West” EP featuring a 30+ min, documentary-style film captured in the famous EastWest Studios dropping on September 30. How did your studio process change because of the introduction of cameras into the studio?
We went into the studio to perform this EP right after the tour ended; so, we were all very accustomed to feeding off the energy of a live audience. Trading in crowds for cameras is certainly a noticeable change but not all that different at the end of the day.
There’s that same expectation to put on a show, only more internal since there’s no reciprocation from the camera. Instead, we all get to put on headphones, hear each other perfectly, and deliver the most finely tuned live performance we can muster. Being on tour was the best possible rehearsal for something like this.
You are premiering the video for “Young Devil” with us today. Tell us about that track.
“Young Devil” is a dark romp through a twisted, trippy desert. A man’s search for his lost mind coupled with visions of his past coming to haunt him in the night. It’s the beginning of the character Loud Mind’s journey and he’s realizing maybe he bit off more than he can chew.
Fans were first introduced to “Young Devil” on your previous release Loud Mind. How did that song change from the original album cut to the version we hear now on the live EP?
I wrote this song back in 2018 and released it in 2021 so it’s been in my life for a long time. The song structure hasn’t changed, but it’s a well-traveled tune at this point. It is one of the band’s favorite songs to play, I think we just bring an exciting energy to it in the live setting that makes it feel different from the original version.
You recently toured the southern half of the US; how did it feel to get back in front of live audiences after the pandemic?
There was certainly a palpable sense of excitement around live music like I’ve never felt before coming out of the pandemic. The energy was up in every room and people simply seemed thankful to have live music accessible again.
All of us, players and audience, need it in our lives and nothing made us realize that like the hard times of the pandemic.
As one of the top rising artists in the LA market, who are you finding to be your biggest musical influences?
I am heavily influenced by the western greats such as Marty Robbins, Johnny Cash, Eddy Arnold, and Bobby Bare, among others.
Presently, I am overjoyed to witness and be inspired by the modern resurgence of country/ western music from the likes of Sturgill Simpson, Charley Crockett, Sierra Ferrell, Colter Wall, Ian Noe, Tyler Childers and many more who I view as true musical heroes swooping in to save a genre that has had its name dragged through the mud for a long while.
Another standout track on this project is your unique adaptation of the Marty Robbins classic “Big Iron.” How did you discover that track and what motivated you to deliver your interpretation?
I’ve loved Marty Robbins for a long time and his music is a big point of inspiration for my own writing, it being heavily narrative, and story-based. While writing Loud Mind, I was listening to him a lot and “Big Iron” has always been one of my favorite songs.
The vivid intensity of the story plays like a movie in my head. I felt the urge to make it my own and embellish its narrative beats with even more drama and dynamics when it came to the arrangement.
I wrote my version of it years ago but waited to have the right band to execute it. Once I had this group of guys with me, I knew it could be done the way I dreamed it up to be.
If you could land an opening slot opening for any artist, who would you choose and why?
One of my biggest influences and favorite artists is the band Lord Huron. Their shows and fans are so passionate and electric.
They’ve given so much to my life and music. It would simply be an honor to support them and their art in such a way. That’d be quite the dream come true.
To learn more about Nathan Jacques, follow him on Instagram, Facebook, and visit his website.
