The Daniel Nathan Band releases live CD / DVD
Published July 30, 2008 by OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Julie Lawrence
Even by modern music standards -- which dictate that bands be described in no less than three-genre compounds and virtually no adjective is off limits -- you don't often hear the words "psycho" and "flute" together.
Actually, you don't hear the wind instrument mentioned much at all, which is what makes Milwaukee's flute-driven Daniel Nathan Band a stand out amongst its rock 'n' roll contemporaries.
Flautist and lead vocalist Daniel Nathan calls it his selling point.
But don't mistake the delicate instrument for a precious sound; Nathan and his band -- Jim Korn on bass and Chris Vincent on drums -- jam hard and heavy in a classic rock vein with soulful blues infusions.
The band released its "Voodoo Magic" EP this past spring and is following up with not another album, but rather a live DVD of its CD release party in Minneapolis. "Live at Mayslack's" features live performances of the EP's "Voodoo Magic," "Don't Tell Me You Love Me," "Sands of Mars" and "Hermit's Trail," as well as a couple Hendrix covers.
The trio is hosting a DVD release party this Saturday, Aug. 2 at the Up and Under Pub with Whiskey Bound and Mike Willis. Nathan also cut a live album of the Mayslack's show and is giving is away with the $6 cover charge. The DVD costs $10.
"I've been asked several times for live recordings," says Nathan. "I wanted to do a DVD because seeing the show really lets you feel more of the energy than just hearing a show. There wasn't anything specific about the Mayslack's show except my good friend Damian Kussian, a filmmaker who was a roommate at UW Madison, lives in Minneapolis. Damian has filmed many local hip hop and rock artists, has made documentaries for Spike TV, and is currently doing work for the History Channel. We've always talked about getting some footage of the band and the opportunity arose at our first show in Minneapolis."
In addition to the live material, Nathan says a new album is on the horizon.
"We were already thinking about the next CD before we finished the last one! The new (songs) so far have been heavy duty. We've got about half a dozen songs in the works right now and we're hoping to have a full-length album finished by winter."
In the meantime, catch the band live on 88.9 RadioMilwaukee's "Radio 414" show this Friday, Aug. 1 at 5:30 p.m.
Psycho Flute, Retro Sounds
Daniel Nathan brings the flute back
Published July 30, 2008 by Dustin P. Walsh, Shepherd Express, Milwaukee
Today’s bands need a hook. The hook could be a number of things—novel influences, Halloween masks, a highly publicized substance abuse problem, whatever—but they’ve got to have some panache and an inimitable shtick. The Daniel Nathan Band has both. The Milwaukee-based band is a self described psychedelic soul trio, its tunes undeniably inspired by the ’70s and stewed in Southern blues. It’s not the well-crafted songs or Nathan’s mannish boy vocals that make the boldest first impression. Instead it’s what Nathan calls the band’s “procedural weapon”: his flute, “the psycho flute.”
“The flute is another trick in the bag for us,” Nathan says. “It leaves us room to mix it up and it adds a whole other tone to what we are playing.”
Nathan was introduced to the flute in fifth grade. He stumbled upon the instrument in his home and studied the basics through grade school, then attended a music-based high school in Houston, becoming a classically trained flutist.
During college, however, his predilection toward music changed and Nathan tried his hand at guitar, focusing on rock ’n’ roll. He put the flute on the shelf—sort of. “When I first started playing guitar, people would egg me on about playing flute,” he says. “So I’d get it out. That’s where I learned to improvise.”
Improvisation is a big part of The Daniel Nathan Band’s shows. Nathan keeps the woodwind close, ready to incorporate an improv flute solo to keep things interesting. He points out thatwhile it’s hard to stand out as a guitar player, the flute turns heads.
“When I first bring (the flute) out, people say, ‘What’s he going to do with that?’ and I get a lot of Ron Burgundy jokes,” Nathan chuckles. “But people dig it. They’d say, ‘More flute, more flute.’ ” The masses have forgotten the flute’s place in rock music. Some of yesteryear’s greatest songs featured the flute: “California Dreamin’” by The Mamas and The Papas, “Can’t You See” by The Marshall Tucker Band, “Hocus Pocus” by Focus and, well, just about anything by Jethro Tull. “I think people have forgotten those songs,” Nathan says. “The flute’s been around rock music for awhile. It’s some thing people think is a bad idea, but most of them are like, ‘Hey, that’s a great idea.’” Coming off the solid six-song Voodoo Magic, The Daniel Nathan Band is “writ ing songs and keeping busy.” Nathan says the band is stepping away from the standard song progression and taking a more rock, less bluesy approach for upcoming live shows and future releases.
“The new stuff is heavier, more than the typical blues stuff we’ve done in the past.” But, don’t worry. Nathan’s not ditching the flute.
“The psycho flute is here to say,” he says. In support of their new CD/DVD, Live at Mayslack’s, The Daniel Nathan Band plays the Up & Under Pub Aug. 2 with Whiskey Bound and Mike Willis.
WMSE Interview with Station Manager Tom Crawford
4/29/08, WMSE's Spring pledge drive
We played a few live broadcast songs before the interview. WMSE has the entire audio show available for download at
http://www.wmse.org/archive/new.php?dow=Tue&hour=150 we start playing about an hour into the show.
TC: Were live in the studio (as opposed to dead in the studio, that's a bad thing to be.) How's it goin'?
Dan: Pretty good! How's it going by you Tom?
TC: It's going well, that's awesome, that was a great set! Introduce the band members!
Dan: Well we got Guy Lindekugel on harmonica, we got Chris Vincent on Drums, and we got Jim Korn on Bass. My name is Daniel Nathan.
TC: Jim Korn on Bass, how are you man? Excellent Daniel, Good stuff, that was excellent!
Dan: Oh, I'm glad you like it, that last one is brand new one for ya, something that's not released yet, so we thought we'd try it out here at the studio.
TC: Cool thing is the CD has been getting some play. That second song that you played is the ah, the track…
Dan: Don't Tell Me You Love Me
TC: Don't Tell Me You Love Me, that's the track that's been getting some spins here at WMSE
Dan: Yeah that's a fun one.
TC: When did the band get started?
Dan: Well we started basically jamming a few years ago. And we had a different bass player back then and we picked up Jim about a year ago and since then he's sort of changed the form of the band. We're really just cranking down and playing a lot heavier now. Those last two songs are just in your face, you know (Tom Laughs) you can't not pay attention. It's kind of the idea.
TC: Yeah I really like the flute a lot. I don't care what anybody says, it's an under-rated instrument in rock and roll.
Dan: I call it the secret weapon.
TC: The secret weapon. Harmonica, very good!
Guy: Thank you very much.
TC: Very good, you're definitely traveling with a road case full! Was there fourteen in there? Did I count fourteen in there?
Guy: Oh yea, As far as that goes I'm the first one to pack up. I got the easy job. It all fits into a backpack.
TC: (laughs) How long you been playing harp man?
Guy: I was probably about 14 years old when my brother introduced it to me. I've been playing ever since.
TC: It's a great mix, man, the flute, the guitar, the heavy when its heavy. Very soulful. Don't Tell Me You Love Me. It's a sweet track.
Dan: Yeah that's the idea.
TC: When you guys playing next?
Dan: Our next show is at the Jazz Estate May 21, I don't know if we're actually going to be playing Jazz (Tom Laughs) but there will be a good bit of improv in there. It should be good time. I actually really don't have much of an idea of what we're going to play at all! So it should be fun!
TC: If I want to find out more information about the Daniel Nathan thing, where do I go?
Dan: You can see us on myspace: myspace.com/thedanielnathanband. We got songs off the new CD on there, you can download them, you can join the email list if you desire, get on the newsletter, we got videos on there, all sorts of fun stuff
TC: CD is out
Dan: Yeah, we just released the Voodoo Magic CD in January
TC: That's the one we've been playing on the radio station, just so everyone knows.
Dan: Yeah we did that with Jeff Hamilton, they got a studio down on Virginia and First. It was really a lot of fun doing that, especially working with Jeff; he's got a lot of creative ideas. He's the one who had the idea of adding the horns on Don't Tell Me You Love Me.
TC: That was a great move, man! That was a great move. That's an awesome track. He's a force of nature; he's a great producer.
Dan: Yeah it was really a blast just working there. That's the way it should be, fun.
TC. Milwaukee's got a lot of great rock bands, got a lot of great soul bands, got a lot of great just music bands period. A lot of great music comes out of this town, and you guys are definitely one of 'em.
Dan: Cheers!
TC: So thanks a lot for coming man, I really appreciate it.
Dan: Thanks for having us Tom! It was really a pleasure!
TC: Glad we finally got you to play in the studio. You've been waiting from a while back.
Dan: Aw it was a blast! We all had a great time.
TC: Allright.
Jim: Excellent, thanks so much!
TC: If you want to check out the archive wmse.org and just download today's program if you want to take a listen the band.
Jim: And Pledge! Pledge money!
Dan: Yes!
TC: (laughs) Thanks you guys, Jim Korn, Thanks you guys!
The Daniel Nathan Band Reveals its "Voodoo Magic"
Published March 25, 2008 by OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Julie Lawrence
Earlier this month The Daniel Nathan Band released the follow up to its 2007 self-titled debut, and with a name like "Voodoo Magic," the overt Jimi Hendrix guitar wail comes a little surprise.
What's interesting, though, is that it doesn't last. Push past the opening track and the spectrum of genres represented in just a six-song collection is impressive. "Fresh Bud" arrives direct from the Jethro Tull, but transitions into the gritty, horn-driven jam, "Don't Tell Me You Love Me."
Possibly most notable is frontman Daniel Nathan's rich talent as a flautist. Randomly stumbling across his mother's flute at the tender age of 10, he's since become a master of his craft as well as an inspiring example of musical drive and creativity.
We caught up with Nathan to chat about "Voodoo Magic" and get the lowdown on his band's upcoming show at the Six Points Pub & Grille in West Allis, 6200 W. Greenfield Ave., at 10 p.m. on Saturday, March 29.
OnMilwaukee.com: Congrats on the new release. How was the release show on March 8?
Daniel Nathan: The release March 8 at The Osthelder was a great party. The crowd loved it when I strolled out into the audience with my flute and rocked 'em out, standing atop booths and getting up-close and personal. I ran out of Daniel Nathan Band logo shirts, and I ended up giving a fan the shirt off my back as a souvenir at closing time.
OMC: This is your second album in two years. In what ways has the band evolved from the debut to "Voodoo Magic."
DN: We've really taken the feedback from the first CD to heart. Some people mentioned we would benefit from stronger choruses and I tried to incorporate them in "Voodoo Magic," "Hermit's Trail" and "Sands of Mars." Leaving people humming your choruses is a very important element in songwriting. We also picked up a new bass player in Jim Korn and his groove-based style is echoed throughout the CD.
OMC: I'm interested in your history with the flute as your instrument of choice from an early age. What drew you to it and how easy or hard is it to incorporate the soft sound into a relatively rockin' band?
DN: Funny story -- I found my mom's old flute in a drawer when I was 10 years old and decided I was going to play it. The rest is history.
Most people think it is an odd choice to add into heavy music, but once they hear it, they like it. As long as you perform with energy, people get into it. There are still some Tull-haters out there that can't stand it, but you can't please everyone.
OMC: Which song are you most proud of on "Voodoo Magic?"
DN: I probably like "Voodoo Magic" the most, overall, but I am most proud of "Fresh Bud." This was my first composition where I incorporated a horn section and keys. I wrote out note-for-note parts for the tenor sax, trumpet and trombone and a rough chart for the keys. We rehearsed once with the keys but I didn't get to hear the horns until we were in the studio. I am very pleased with the outcome.
OMC: From my vantage point, it seems as though the Milwaukee blues scene is exploding as of late. What are your thoughts?
DN: It's definitely a supportive community. The great thing about the blues is that they are universal, and while people develop their own styles, anyone can play with anyone, and they do. It's all about information sharing. People show you something and then you show them something.
OMC: The Jimi Hendrix influences are palpable throughout your songs. In what ways has his craftsmanship help shape yours as a musician?
DN: I guess if you listen to a particular artist for an average of two hours a week for 12 years, some of his style will rub off! I really dig Hendrix because of the emotion he puts into his playing. I don't think there will ever be anyone as innovative.
OMC: You've got a Milwaukee show on the horizon at the Six Points Pub & Grille. What can we expect from you guys on March 29?
DN: Sax? Keys? Harmonica? Brand new songs written after the CD release? You never know what you might hear at a Daniel Nathan Band show.
Daniel Nathan Rocks the Flute
Published April 20, 2007 by OnMilwaukee.com reporter Heather Leszczewitz
The Daniel Nathan Band is taking over West Allis's Six Points Pub & Grille stage -- 6200 W. Greenfield Ave. -- at 10 p.m. tomorrow night with music Nathan describes as having its roots in the blues, but with influences in rock.
What separates the band from others is the fact that the quartet not only uses the band staples -- guitar, bass, drums along with vocals -- but throws in flute and harmonica.
Nathan graduated from high school with a focus on classical flute, an instrument he picked up in the fifth grade. He added the guitar to his repertoire in college.
"(As a band) we started a couple years ago with the drummer I knew from college, the drummer knew a bass player," Nathan says. "So we started jamming, practicing together."
As a group, they rose up to playing different local venues including a stint playing Guitar Bar twice a month for eight months.
The band just released its self-titled album in January and is now touring in support
"We were laying low until came out with the CD. I think we're all solid and it's time to get out there a bit more," Nathan says. "We're different than a lot of bands you're going to see. You hear us playing the blues and say 'Ok, they play the blues, they're a blues band.' But then out of no where comes the flute."
He says that they like to keep the people guessing and try to have a lot of variety in the music.
"I would describe it as having the roots in the blues but we're hard to describe. I'm Influenced by '70s rock. I listen to Jimi Hendrix all day, not saying I sound like him by any means, but he's a strong influence. And there's Jethro Tull in there with the flute. I always listen to them. We keep trying to work in the flute as much as possible."
The sound of the flute is something that Nathan says people always seem to perk up and check out where it comes from when they bust it out. Same with the harmonica, it adds another tone to the type of music the Daniel Nathan Band is playing.
"We're all talented musicians and it's a unique experience," Nathan says. "We have the roots in the blues but get out of the box a little bit."
Local Music
Published Mar. 22, 2007 by Brian Barney, Shepherd Express, Milwaukee
The genres of blues, jazz and '70s psychedelic rock are all represented in the music of Milwaukee's Daniel Nathan Band. Frontman Nathan shows an SRV quality and is nicely complemented by Guy Lindekugel on harmonica. Their self-titled CD stays true to form throught and is currently getting spins as far away as Germany. Nathan is also no slouch on flute, which he incorporates into the act for a pleasant deviation.
