Musical Influences: Nathaniel Rateliff

After buying and being captivated by Nathaniel Rateliff’s album ‘In Memory of Loss’ I requested an interview with him to ask about his musical influences and happily he readily agreed and supplied his answers for inclusion here on my blog.

Nathaniel grew up in Missouri, and after learning drums at 7 and finding a collection of Led Zeppelin albums in the barn as a teenager, his interest was piqued and he was set firmly on the path of music.  After his father’s death, when Nathaniel was 13, he picked up the guitar and quickly acquired an appreciation of the sounds he could create both acoustically and via assorted effects pedals electrically. 

After moving to Denver and a brief stint as a truck driver Nathaniel started to learn piano and like the other instruments he has learnt in his life he is largely self taught.  The first song he taught himself was Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ and it is here his love of Cohen’s music developed from.

It was around this time that he started experimenting with an 8 track and he worked on ‘In Memory of Loss’. This album has a pared back, honesty that cuts straight to the heart of things and has the ability to connect with something deep inside of you very quickly.  Some tracks are gentle and meandering, others are slightly faster, most have wonderful backing harmonies and all of them have a impact and power that makes them resonate long after the album has finished.

Nathaniel is currently on tour and has some dates with Mumford and Sons coming up in June, as well as an upcoming performance on the acclaimed TV show ‘Later with Jools Holland‘. 

If you have yet to check out the album I can heartily recommend it and whilst I may be biased, when music is this good it’s hard not to be!



Did you grow up around much music at home?

My parents both played music and they always had something on in the house.

What’s the first album you bought?

I’m not sure what my first record was but I’m sure it was some bad Christian rock band.

What’s the first concert you went to?

Phil Drisco or Carmen, something not too great.

What music especially moves you?

Any music with great melody and words.

What album guarantees to get you dancing or you always put on at a party?

Sam Cooke or James Brown Live at the Apollo Theatre

What’s your ideal dinner party music/background music?

Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto

What album do you always suggest to your friends?

Songs of Leonard Cohen, The Basement Tapes by Bob Dylan

What’s your favourite recorded music format? Vinyl, CD or download?

Vinyl

What’s your favourite music venue to play and which is your favourite as a music fan?

I will always love The Hi Dive for both.

What song would you want played at your funeral?

‘A change is gonna come’ (aka It's been a long time coming) Sam Cooke

What album helped you get through your teenage years?

Fugazi ‘13 Songs’

What album can you always listen to regardless of time or mood?

Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto Live at Carnegie Hall

What album do you most wish you’d written?

Songs of Leonard Cohen

What album is your guilty pleasure?

Off the Wall by Michael Jackson

What album can you not live without?

Any of mine.

I would like to thank Nathaniel for the time he has taken in answering these questions and thank his manager Bart Dahl with his help in arranging this interview.