Houston-based singer/songwriter Nate Vickers is quickly becoming a household name, and rightfully so! With tens of millions of Spotify plays and collaborations with artists like Jared Leto and Fred Durst, the young musician actually began his musical journey by posting covers from his bedroom on YouTube. They instantly gained traction, and the world was now aware of Nate Vickers’ genius.
Intrigued to learn more about the man behind the music, I was thrilled when Nate agreed to an interview! Talking to us about his early fascination with the band KISS, his exceptional new EP ‘A Little Too Late’, and what it was like performing ‘The Kill’ with Jared Leto, please welcome our new friend Nate Vickers!
Welcome aboard Nate! We truly appreciate you taking the time to chat with us! Your recent EP ‘A Little Too Late’ has absolutely blown us away at Mesmerized but, before we get into that, can you tell us what first drew you to music and how you discovered your passion for it?
Hey guys! Happy to be here, thanks for having me.
Thank you, I’m so glad y’all are digging the EP. That means a lot! I was first drawn into music at a very young age. When I was very young I was fascinated by the band KISS, which sparked a lot of interest for me. Shortly after, we moved into a new home and my new neighbour was an older man who happened to be an amazing musician. He helped me confirm that music was a true passion of mine, and I knew it was what I wanted to do with my life.
OK, now let’s chat ‘A Little Too Late’. As your debut EP, and a highly anticipated one at that, how did you ensure it stayed true to your artistic vision? Did the high expectations change your approach in any way?
Honestly, every song was created without any thought of anyone hearing it. When it comes to my art, I refuse to do anything that doesn’t feel authentic and true to me. As long as I can truly feel and resonate with the music I’m creating then I’ve succeeded. I will never settle for less. I definitely felt pressure at times though.
Now, I’m sorry to pose such a tough question so early on, but what song off ‘A Little Too Late’ are you most proud of and why?
This is definitely a tough question, but honestly, I’m very proud of ‘Bury Me’. It was an extremely deep song, and very personal. It’s always been hard for me to put my feelings into words, and I feel like this was one of the first times I was able to paint a picture of how I truly felt at that moment.
You’ve been fortunate enough to collaborate with some huge names in the industry – most notably Jared Leto, Fred Durst, Scott Stapp, and Chris Daughtry. What was the most memorable moment of working alongside some of these rock icons?
It’s amazing. I grew up such a fan of every single one of those dudes, and to have connected with them at this stage of my career is truly an honour. Performing ‘The Kill’ with Jared Leto was something that never even crossed my mind as a possibility so that one is still hard to wrap my head around.
Who are some of your biggest musical influences? Who did you grow up listening to? And would you say that your tastes have changed over the years?
My musical influences are kind of all over the place. However, they kind of always stemmed around rock and metal. Linkin Park has always been such a massive influence on me, and their music still hits just as hard as it did when I was in elementary school. I was also massively inspired by heavier metal music, such as bands like Underoath, Memphis May Fire, and Slipknot.
What, to you, is music’s role in society?
Music is, and should be, an escape. Music is the only time you can sit there and forget about your own emotions and feel someone else’s.
What do you love most about being a musician? And on the flip side, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced so far?
I love being able to wake up every day and truly be myself. I can express myself however I want to, and help other people in the process. I had a period of my career where I struggled with comparing myself to other people and other artists. It was crippling, and definitely took a massive toll on my mental health for a while. I think there will always be a faint feeling of doubt, but I’m doing much better now.
OK, Nate – desert island time! You’re allowed to grab 3 albums before being stranded on an island. Which do you go with and why?
Easy!
Linkin Park’s ‘Meteora’, Underoath’s ‘Define The Great Line’, and Bring Me The Horizon’s ‘Sempiternal’. Those albums played a HUGE role in the early years of my life, and they will always hold a special place in my heart.
Nate, it’s been an absolute pleasure having you here! Thanks again for taking the time! Before we say farewell, what comes next for you musically?
Thank you, and likewise! You can probably expect us to start hitting the road and playing some shows later this year. Oh, and of course…a bunch of new music that I’m very excited about!
