Song: New York City
Album: Bar Room Hymns
Nathan Lee Music - Nashville, TN

This week we feature one of our favorite Singer/Songwriter's from Nashville, Nathan Lee. Nathan has just released his 5th LP "Bar Room Hymns" which caught our eye moving up the iTunes Singer/Songwriter chart. With all that's happening, we thought It'd be a good time to check in with the man himself and find out what he's been up to.

Rachel Irimescu: Last time we caught up, you were promoting your “Risk Everything “release and “40 day risk tour “with your father on deck .You even had a stop at Kat Von D’s shop to get a lil ink to mark this period of your life. Can you tell us what you walked away with from that experience?

Nathan Lee: It taught me to chill out. It taught me that Big ideas are worth having, but think em’ all the way through. It taught me that I’m not God. That season taught me that I knew more about a Monologue than I do about Dialouge.

RI: Since “Risk Everything” You’ve been to Iraq to play for our troops. What was that experience like? How did it effect you?

NL: Iraq was important. Joey Sanchez ,A fellow musician & drummer in Nashville, hooked it up through his job at Ultimate Ears. This experience was a giant reminder of why music is so important to us. You can’t act like you’re the shit when your playing in a tent…..it’s about heart. It’s about intimacy. It’s about all the reasons we set out to do what was in our heart. For those men & woman…it was about serving our country. For me and the band…it was about serving them. I’m sure plenty of them would like to become a General one day, as I would like to play Madison Square Garden….but the truth of the matter is…..It ain’t about stats and crowds…..It’s about remembering why you get out of bed in the morning.

RI: I hear you have a new special someone in your life, can you tell us about Moses?

NL: Yeah man…..Moses! Well…..I got a dog. He’s half American Bulldog and Half Boxer. He’s teaching me responsibility. There’s wisdom in responsibility….so Moses seemed to be a good name. He teaches me how to get up every day at 7, and a giant reminder that it’s not all about me

RI: You just recently had a birthday, how did you celebrate?

NL: I turned 36. At 26…I never thought I’d still be here. So..I released the new album the night before. It felt good. On my actual Birthday….I stayed in bed for 90% of it. It was awesome. I’m happy to still be here….and I’m slowly learning how to rest.

RI: You seem very spiritual and positive. On your website, there is a short version of your biography where you say: "I Write songs about desperation for those in despair, who no longer wish to be desperate. I sing songs about brokenness for the broken hearted, who no longer wish to be broken" Where are you in this statement?

NL: I’m wrapped up in the middle of it all. It’s a humbling place to be. A place that Only God & Music have allowed me to experience Healing. The bottom line for me…without God…I’m fucked. Without Music…I’m miserable.

RI: Your latest release “Bar Room Hymns” was produced by Zach Hall. What was that process like this time around? What was the factor in your decision to work with Zach on this recording?

NL: Zach Hall might be the best kept secret in Nashville. He rolls out of bed every morning with a fire under his ass, and the ability to keep a gentle heart. Hanging in the studio with him is about as good as it gets. He’s far more interested in creativity and what feels good, than he is impressing. We’ve written together over the years….and every time I left his studio with a demo, I’d be driving away thinking “Damn…that kid is good….he knows how to find a heartbeat”. He also knows how to work fast…..which allowed ideas to be captured quickly. I couldn’t think of anyone better to take these new songs to. He aced it. We released it without mixing or mastering. I had no more money. I’m damn proud of It!

RI: How long did it take to record “Bar Room Hymns”? Where did you record “Bar Room Hymns”?

NL: Bar Room Hymns was recorded over the month of October in 2010. We released it as soon as we finished tracking it. We recorded the pianos at a warehouse in Nashville. Then we went to Zach’s studio for 3 weeks, and sat in front of Synths and computers. Zach likes to work late. Leaving the studio at 4 am every morning was a good reminder that I’m ready to learn how to sleep.

RI: The Piano on “Bar Room Hymns” cover, is there a story there?

NL: I had that image in my mind for the past year. One day, I found an old white piano on craigslist for free. After I got it home, I stared at it for about 3 weeks. Then one day, I went to the craft store, and found every little shiny thing I could, and a few pounds of hot glue. Every time I got exhausted while writing the new album, I would walk over to the piano and start painting and bedazzling. When I’m an old man, I want my house to be full of old crazy pianos.

RI: Are there plans to tour in support of “Bar Room Hymns”?

NL: No. No plans. I’m very open to it….But the way it should happen hasn’t hit me yet. I don’t need to do another 40 Day Risk. I’m also not interested in touring clubs and losing money just to “get my music out there”. When the time is right, I’ll know. I’m coming in to a place where shows have to serve more of a purpose than just getting me off. I can say all day long that “I sing for broken people”…..but if it steals my soul, that’s no good either.

RI: A digital bird told me that you have a special video performance in the works. Care to elaborate?

NL: We're in the works of filming “Bar Room Hymns” as a LIVE performance, in an intimate setting. It’s a lot of work. I’m glad were doing it. I felt like it was a good way of sharing music on the web, without having an agenda. Sitting at a piano and sharing songs with people is what I do.

RI: What can we look forward to from Nathan Lee in 2011?

NL: Absolutely no idea. And for once….that’s okay with me.

RI: On track #2 -New York City....What town are you running from and what ever happened to that pipe in your pocket?

NL: Well….as for the pipe….things have changed. There was a season in my life when I smoked enough weed to kill a tribe of Indians. Me and MaryJane have always loved to spend time together. The older I get, she seems to get in my way. I think about her a lot, I try not to call on her often. As for the town I was always running from, they know who they are…and I’ll always know the way home.

RI: On track #9- Use Your Voice...What inspired you to write this song?

NL: “Use Your Voice” was written for a non-profit called World Vision. A buddy of mine, Jonny Morgan, was hired to shoot a video for them to help raise awareness, and help musicians get involved. In the process, they gave him 20 words to use as an outline for the storyboard. Jonny gave me those words, and I put em’ all in a song. For me, it was a fun and challenging writing process. When it was all said and done, we put the song on the new record as well. I’m proud of this song. I truly hope that More musicians use their abilities to help World Vision. It’s an amazing organization that truly gives hope and restores faith all over the world.

Use Your Voice, from the new album, "Bar Room Hymns"

You can listen to more songs and buy Nathans music by visiting his website at: http://www.nathanleemusic.com

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