Israel Nash returns to Philly
Singer-songwriter enjoying the journey, sharing his music
Emerging from the studio with his most ambitious creative endeavor, Texasbased singer-songwriter Israel Nash’s latest album, “Lifted,” offers a collection of freshly penned songs that capture the evolution of one of the indie music scene’s most gifted artists.
“While all my records hold a special place in my heart and in my life, ‘Lifted’ is definitely a special one,” says Nash from his studio in Texas. “For the first time ever, I had my studio to write and come up with pre-production ideas to work through songs and sounds before recording.”
“I think there comes a time when artists want to explore more, be less bound to one hard genre and let music and ideas have very little limits,” adds Nash. “I wanted to make a record that surrounded the listener and took them to a place. Music can do that. Take people away for even just a few minutes. So these sounds and strings, horns, etc, were all part of achieving that.”
“My biggest goal in the studio was to make a space of comfort and ease and full of weird noisemakers and sonics that could inspire the guys,” says Nash. Again, it’s about finding the inspiration and keeping them around for others to vamp on, to see where it takes the song and how it leads other players to go down different paths. Inspiration needs to be there in every step of my process. It was a really seamless process. We would record for a week and then have a week off. I wanted to keep things fresh and exciting and it was what this record needed, an emotional peace that could translate into the record.”
Stand out tracks include “Rolling On,” “Lucky Ones,” “Spirit Falls,” “Northwest Stars (Out of Tacoma),” “Hillsides,” “The Widow” and “Golden Fleeces.”
Relocating from Missouri to New York City in 2006, Nash laid the foundation for his musical journey, feverishly writing and playing the clubs in the Lower East Side.
Nash released his independent debut solo album, “New York Town” in 2009. Securing distribution by the Dutch label Continental Records, the album caught the attention of European and UK audiences. Nash’s sophomore album, “Barn Doors and Concrete Floors” (2011) earned critical praise and accolades as the top album of 2011 by the Euro Americana Charts.
“I write from inspiration,” says Nash. “I try to find inspiration in a ton of different ways; films, books, life, thinking, music, all of these are inspirational wells to drink from. So I try to surround myself with these kinds of things that spark and see what happens. Then the songs kind of come in waves.”
A road warrior that routinely spends immeasurable time on the concert trail, Nash performed with abandon throughout Europe and ultimately America.
“Gotta keep moving, playing, experiencing this whole thing,” says Nash. “Lots of energy and sounds and dynamics sweeping through the whole set. It’s a path, a journey that you keep growing at. I really want people to reflect and feel. Music connects people and you feel that energy. It’s emotional as hell. It’s always a rush. It’s the epitome of being in the moment. Right there, right now.”
Returning to the south in 2012, where he currently resides in Dripping Springs, Texas, Nash realized his dream building his own studio, a creative sanctuary where he writes, rehearses and records.
Nash’s U.S. release of his “Rain Plans” (2014) proved to be his breakthrough album. A hit on NPR (National Public Radio), Rain Plans and subsequent album releases Silver Season (2015) and Neighbors EP (2016) (with The Bright Light Social Hour) have earned Nash airplay on high profile indie radio outlets WXPN (Philadelphia), KEXP (Seattle), KUTX (Austin) and The Current (Minneapolis-St. Paul).
“I am happy and just simply want to make records and see where music continues to take me and who it continues to put in my life,” says Nash. “It’s all about inner peace and passion. Not just finding it, but tending to it. All of that makes for growth and you see that growth affecting your life and your art. Keep rolling on.”
“It’s really where I find greater purpose in writing and performing. Songs end and shows are over, but it’s people in this life that matters most. Find those people, connect with them, find love and show it.”