Nathan Aronowitz, front-man of Nashville-based funk rock group Down Boy, joined us for a super stripped set. Nathan jumps back and forth between keys and electric guitar to accompany his soulful vocals in a few groovy tracks. Since we were missing the rest of the band for the tape, we reminisced on the beginning days of Down Boy, chatted about music influences, creative processes, new music, and much more. We hope you enjoy the latest episode of Quarantine Tapes!
Catching up with Nathan and listening to his stripped versions of Down Boy songs took me back to our Belmont days together. I remember watching their shows at venues like Exit/In, the spirit of rock n’ roll ricocheting off the LED-strapped walls and between the three band members as they went ham on their respective instruments. Though we were missing Noah on drums and Grayson on bass, Nathan is able to bring some of that same energy into a solo set as he rocks the lead vocals, soars on the keys, and shreds electric guitar all on his own.
The power trio released an album entitled, “…Let Go” in the back-half of 2020, written of course over the span of quarantine. It explores ideas of various different struggles and parablistic stories. Nathan is a grand story-teller, taking biblical themes and make them his own as the band adds their funkadelic twist to the sonics. As deep as the lyrics go, so does the musical intelligence. All masters of their own trades, each band member has plenty to say, and so each track hosts musical conversations full of color and unexpected tangents that can either be described as psychedelic gospel funk, or absolutely berzerk.
“…Let Go” seems to be the second part to their album “Into It We Go…” (2019), and there is more to come. With one of the most unique sounds I’ve heard coming from a three-piece band, these are some of the grooviest dudes to keep in your queue.
PC: Elena Lin
Leave a comment