Type and hit ENTER

Commonly used tags...

Brighton Festival Brighton Fringe Brighton Pride British Sea Power Cinecity Lewes Psychedelic Festival Locally Sourced Lost & Found Love Supreme Festival Mutations Festival Nick Cave Poets Vs MCs Politics Rag'n'Bone Man Record Store Day Save Our Venues Six Of The Best Source Virgins Streets Of Brighton Street Source Tattoos The Great Escape Tru Thoughts Unsung Heroes
  • Home
  • News
  • Previews
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Food
  • Tickets
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Advertise
  • Home
  • News
  • Previews
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Food
  • Tickets
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Advertise
Features

Natty Interview

Mar 17, 2016
-
Posted by Steve Clements

Reggae star Natty has been away from performing and releasing music for some time but he’s back with a new album and tour. We asked him what he’d been up to ahead of his sold out show at The Haunt.

Congratulations on your second album. It’s released this week, seven years after your debut. Given the success of ‘Man Like I’, why the long gap?
Give thanks. The album took its organic route, I could neither force it nor determine it, I had to let it create its own path in a way. I also was setting up my club night and label – both called Vibes And Pressure – as well as travelling and spending time on some charity projects, mainly the ERASE Foundation.

The album closes with a collaboration with George The Poet – how did you two hook up?
We’ve been friends for a while so it was only natural we did a song together.

There isn’t a physical version of the album available yet – would you like to see it released on vinyl or CD at some point?
CDs will be released on March 18th and exclusively on our tour, and vinyl will be out in the Summer. We’re very keen on physical copies.

There’s a vibrant roots scene in Brighton. Is this something you’re aware of and do you have any connections or memories of past gigs here?
We always have a great time at our Brighton gigs and yes, we are connected with some of the roots/dub talent from the South Coast. Prince Fatty, for example; he and I have worked together several times. He mixed my first album and he’s remixed the dub for my single ‘Gaia’.

Your sound has been described as soul-reggae crossover, but we’d say it’s more of a reggae-flavoured soulful consciousness style akin to Spearhead. Have you been influenced by Michael Franti and who are your current inspirations, musical or otherwise?
Sooooo many inspirations and Michael Franti is one of them. A lot of African artists, organic music, reggae, soul as well. To name a few: Jah9, Chronixx, Midnite, Nitin Sawhney, Sona Jobate.

You’ve been running monthly club nights, built a studio and released a compilation album of new artists – is this a natural progression for you and do you have any other ventures in the pipeline?
I’m always inspired by the musical talents that are coming up and enjoy creating platforms for these to be showcased, whether live or recorded and working alongside “the family” comes naturally to me. Yes, there are a few other projects being cooked up; we’ll be teaming up with collaborators to bring Vibes And Pressure nights to festivals, releasing some music from our stable roster and so much more.

Do you fear for the future of the UK’s youth under the current government or does oppression breed creativity and strengthen resolve?
I do not fear but at the same time I think there are better ways to breed creativity and strengthen resolve. Racial profiling, unfair sentences and a general mistrust between authority and youth can breed creativity, but then I think people would be creative no matter what the society. The art would just reflect something more positive, what it actually breeds is a society of fear and animosity, rather than one of love and positivity.

You took a break from music to travel and work with charities in Africa. Is this something you would like to continue in tandem with your career or do you prefer to keep these elements of your life separate?
I don’t keep anything separate. I am always going to make music and I am always going to care about people, so naturally it will blend.

Have you made a start on the follow up to ‘Release The Fear’ and can we expect further collaborations to come?
No I haven’t, but yeah I looking forward to collaborating in the future.

Good luck with the album and tour and we look forward to seeing you at next week’s show.
Much Thanks.

Mar 17, 2016
Email
Steve Clements
Steve has been a SOURCE contributor since Summer 2010. Favourite quote - "There's no such thing as a sold out gig".
← PREVIOUS POST
Lubomyr Melnyk Review
NEXT POST →
1847 Restaurant Review
Mailing List

Recent Posts
  • Leon Bridges Review
    Jun 28, 2022

    The Texas based soul singer brought his hits to Brighton but also introduced a future star with his opening act.

  • Waitress Preview
    Jun 27, 2022

    Star of the show Chelsea Halfpenny talks us through the pop-infused pie-baking musical's time on the road ahead of its visit to the Theatre Royal.

  • Morrissey, Friday 14th October
    Jun 27, 2022

    Morrissey is back in Brighton with a new, as yet, unreleased album and a bulging back catalogue to round off a 9 day UK tour.

  • Difficult Art And Music’s 1st Birthday
    Jun 22, 2022

    Local label Difficult Art And Music soon celebrates a year of putting out short-run releases of sound art, academic curiosities and "stuff you need to untangle".

  • Fraulein - Hope and Ruin - Hidden Herd - Brighton Source - Time for Heroes Photography - Ashley Laurence
    Fräulein Review
    Jun 19, 2022

    Topping a four-act bill at the Hope and Ruin, two-piece Fräulein blow us away with their intoxicating blend of edgy melodies, incisive lyrics and driving rhythms.

  • The three members of the band Noisy
    Noisy Review
    Jun 8, 2022

    Worthing three-piece Noisy are back on tour, and we’re there to confirm that the band’s brand of euphoric beats is utterly moshtastic!

  • Hold Me Until The Bus Comes
    Jun 8, 2022

    In a series of paintings of trees, Brighton artist, Tony Felstead, explores the reassuringly constant role that trees play in our ever-changing city.

  • JED4_Brighton-Source_by-Mike-Tudor
    Jed Interview
    May 27, 2022

    We spoke to rapper Jed about running nights for new Brighton artists, making music and how the local hip hop scene managed to survive through lockdown.

Website developed in Brighton by Infobo
Copyright © Brighton Source 2009-2021
Natty interview - Brighton Source