We’re excited to present our Nashville Spotlight artist for the month of October, Multi Ultra, in partnership with H.O.M.E!
Multi Ultra is an independent rock band based in Nashville, TN. Consisting of Derrick Wesley (Vocals), Nolan Brown (Guitar, Synth, BGVs), Chris Bevacqua (Bass), and Chrystian Kaplan (Drums), the multi-talented group, Multi Ultra takes listeners on a compelling journey of thoughts and emotions with every new release. Following in the footsteps of their influences (Cage the Elephant, The Killers, My Morning Jacket, and The Black Keys) they teamed up with producer Tim Craven to record their latest string of singles at the legendary Blackbird Studio in Nashville. Multi Ultra appeared on 100.1 Lightning 100 in Nashville, TN and 91.9 WFPK in Louisville, KY.
We had the joy of chatting with Multi Ultra about their latest project and what inspires them. Keep reading for a closer look at their music journey and latest projects.
As most Nashville artists would agree, Nashville’s nature with its many parks, hiking trails and lakes are a great source of inspiration as well as a retreat from the nearby, buzzling city. This is also true for Multi Ultra, however, according to them, it holds many more attractive and challenging qualities:
Nashville has seen many good (and bad) changes over the last decade. With the population continuing to explode, you unfortunately get more construction, traffic, overpriced parking, and competition. But perhaps just as many chances to meet collaborators, new friends, opportunities, and innovators. Nashville surely inspires me to grow along with it.
Moreover, the place is an oasis for the arts.
Most people I’ve met here still care deeply about preserving art and community in an age where we need to protect those things most.
One thing that unites all the band members is their early start onto their music journey. After a decade worth of experience they made in different bands, giving live performances and writing songs, Multi Ultra sprang to life amongst the chaos that was COVID. However, Their journey has been equally challenging and exciting.
Down and out, chewed up and spit out, we knew we were meant to take another swing. Since our origin as Multi Ultra, we’ve focused mainly on improving the excitement and explosiveness of our live show (averaging well over 100 shows a year) and furthering our songwriting. We’re very excited about the community we’re growing and how we can continue truly serving our friends & fanbase.
A special journey into the world of music of course has its special beginnings and inspirations which constantly evolve. Nolan’s love for music started with an obsession over classic rock and expanded from there.
Tracing my young fingers over Jimmy Page and Joe Perry solos. Learning tunes from titan-level songwriters like the Beatles or Elton John. Mind-blown by the epic arrangements of Queen or The Who. But that’s all equally mixed with my sweet tooth for boppy 2000’s pop, my reverence for classical symphonies, or hunger for some slamming 90’s boombap. Lately, I have loved leaning deeper into kind of the 80’s new wave movement, as well as the lineage that continued to branch out. And funny enough, maybe Multi Ultra’s music sounds nothing like this.
Furthermore, his sources of inspiration also go beyond the realm of music. Things such as life experiences, deep conversations, movies and books hold just as much potential to shape his approach or perspective.
No one knows if the “muse” comes from within, or from the ether. Perhaps both.
Multi Ultra’s latest EP After a Thousand Miles draws from just these sources of inspiration, diving into universal themes of the human experience.
Derrick was the predominant brilliant force behind the melodies, music, and lyrics on this latest EP. I love bringing his songs to life as much as contributing my own songs once in a while too. The main themes are growing up, dealing with burnout, and finding the resilience to chase your dreams.
At the same time, the new EP both solidifies and liberates Multi Ultra in their sound in equal parts.
This EP seemed to solidify our initial identity in this first era of the band. What’s exciting is now we feel inspired to explore new and different sounds, but can just as easily return to our “first era sound” at any time with deeper experience and perspective.
Hungry for more Multi Ultra? Make sure to grab your tickets for the remaining November dates of “It’s Not a Tour Without You.”
In between, we’re finishing recording nearly a dozen new songs and planning more regional tours for 2026..
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