Ahead of his show at The Bodega, we spoke to American singer-songwriter Israel Nash about his new album, plans for 2019 and his ‘unusual’ instruments.
1. When and how did you first get into playing music?
Music was always around me. Both sides of my family played and sang so instruments were always around the house.
2. You primarily play guitar, but do you play any other ‘unusual’ instruments? If not, what do you wish you could play?
I play whatever I can get sounds from! I can play some instruments better than others, but about any instrument can give you a song. Being less familiar with an instrument is a great state for song finding. You don’t know what the f*ck you’re gonna do next so you kinda don’t think about it and instead you just let the song escape without too many structures.
3. If you had to choose, what is your favourite gig you have ever played? – date/ location/ why
That’s a tough one. I’ve realized that as exciting as a show is, it ends and you go to the next one. But what is amazing every time are the fans. You see, when you make something and put it into this world, it becomes shared, woven into the lives of others, it connects me to other people. And that’s what art has always done, even if we don’t always see it.
4. How do you find touring in the UK in comparison to the US – which do you prefer and why?
UK touring is great. I mean the UK created the best rock n roll bands of all time, so fans here have a rich history and pride in that. I love that. And it’s a small country compared to the states, which means shorter drives and late checkouts! But home is home!
5. You toured Nottingham a few years ago, playing The Maze. Did you get up to much last time you were here? Have you got any plans or had any suggestions for things to do on your upcoming visit?
When we came last there was this golden egg festival with bare knuckle fighting or something. Is that true? You Nottinghamers are tough!
6. Which tracks from new album ‘Lifted’ are you most excited about debuting to your Nottingham audience?
I love playing Lucky Ones. It’s a rocker!
7. I read that you lived in New York for a few years, how do you feel this influenced or affected your music career?
It opened it up for me. That’s where I met my long time band members and engineer. So my career really started to grow in that place.
8. What inspires you most when it comes to writing music?
Capturing feelings and sharing them with others.
9. I read that you used an analogue tape machine to record your third album, Rain Plans. Do you prefer using older technology to record your work on? If so, why?
I like all kinds of mediums. I think there’s great sound offering in the analog world but one of the biggest things you get from that old stuff is reverence from the players. Everyone sees the analog altar and offer a bit a soul to it. But digital is great for many things too. It’s about using tools and any resources you have to make things.
10. Looking at your discography, you seem to be interested in making the design of your physical albums intricate and special. Do you feel that this adds to the experience of the record? Out of your portfolio, which is album design is your favourite?
It’s all about experiential moments. That’s where the sparks are that start the fires. If you can do that with songs, why not do it with album art? It’s just a canvas that people are looking at while they listen. I wanna use that space to marry the visuals to the sonics. I’m a big fan of the new album cover. I did that whole piece putting together all kinds of objects in this collage like diorama. It was a big art project that just have me another connection point to the record and to the spirit of again, making, creating new things in this world.
11. If you had to choose three records to listen to for the rest of your life, which would you pick and why?
Astral Weeks, All Things Must Pass, Harvest. Those tracks sonically and lyrically cover a lot of emotional ground. There for ya on any day.
12. I know you featured on a few ‘Best of 2018’ lists last year. Have you got any big plans for or events coming up in 2019?
Always! Definitely will play shows this spring and summer all over the place. Also, I’m working on a few albums right now. So yes, big plans. Gotta keep dreaming.
You can stream ‘Lifted’ here.
By Laura Phillips