Music / Feature
Nat Oaks: ‘Like Aitch with Manchester, Bristol is my city’
Born in Ghana, raised in North Wales before moving to Gloucester and then Bristol, being a musician was never the plan for singer-songwriter Nat Oaks.
Despite being self-taught on the piano and guitar and writing songs from the age of 14, Nat moved to Bristol to study politics and sociology.
However, it was when the Covid-19 pandemic and subsquent lockdowns happened that the artist confronted their desire and passion for the music industry.
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“It wasn’t until lockdown happened that I actually sat down and tried to make a body of work,” Nat tells Bristol24/7.
“I never thought I was going to be a musician, that was never part of the plan but I keep falling deeper and deeper into it.”
Falling deeper and deeper into it is being granted on to several different schemes which help and support grassroots artists, firstly The Music Works in Gloucester when they were 17 before joining the Next Level Scheme, in collaboration with Big Team and Bristol Beacon in 2022.
In the two years following, Nat has performed on the main stage at Love Saves the Day (their biggest show to date) and has performed at Boomtown twice, Wireless and Reading Festival.
It’s an incredibly impressive trajectory for someone who never planned on being a musician.
Situating theirself between the sounds of Arlo Parks, Loyle Carner and Little Simz, their tracks move between feel-good and softly chilled, such as their track Contraband, and alternative hip-hop and lo-fi, such is their track Hard to Forget.
Identifying their own genre has been a tumultuous journey for the singer: “I’m black and queer and English, and I really struggle to define the genre that I make. I used to say I was a hip-hop artist but I don’t think that necessarily encapsulates everything I do.
“Identifying your genre is a big problem for artists but particularly black artists, they could be making punk music but they still get identified as a hip-hop artist so I prefer to situate myself in the soundscapes of other artists.
“I take inspiration from Little Simz, Loyle Carner, Ms Lauryn Hill and Arlo Parks, so make of that what you will.”
Nat’s sophomore EP, Platforms, is out on April 5, a project of two years work, the EP will include four tracks and was recorded in their studio in Gloucester.
Of the EP, Nat tells us: “There’s a running joke of me writing songs about my ex-girlfriend and even though it may sound like that, it’s more a comprehensive look at the different types of relationships there are.
“I’m trying to branch out a bit more on my songs, looking at relationships with friends and day to day life, but the people who really inspire me are Tyler, the Creator and Jaden Smith and their abstract approach to songwriting.”
Nat performed at The Cellars in Bristol Beacon for their EP launch show last month. photo: Nat Oaks
Nat’s songwriting has developed over theirs years, something they put down to their vocabulary which has allowed them to express theirself better to producers about the types of tracks they want to create.
Regardless of whether the music Nat is putting out is personal or looks at romantic relationships, platonic relationships, or even something more mundane, the most important thing for them is that it means something.
“I have a big onus on songwriting and making sure what I’m saying has meaning,” Nat explains.
Despite the EP being as yet unreleased, it is the following five tracks they have completed and are ready to release that they’re excited for people to hear.
“It will be interesting to see the progression from the EP to these next tracks, I don’t think people will be expecting it.”
Do they like to change their sound?
“It’s not a case of liking it, it’s a case of constantly growing more into my self.”
Nat promises we can expect more new music from them after the release of Platforms, with the hope of releasing the new singles from June onwards.
“I love performing live.” The artist promises more live shows this coming year. photo: Nat Oaks
There is a sense that the singer is outgrowing Bristol, having performed at almost every venue and on one of the biggest hometown stages in the area, but they feel no pressure to move to another, bigger city.
“I really want to stay in Bristol but now I’ve played everywhere and I want to branch out a bit. I’m considering moving to London but I don’t feel pressure to, it’s more about building those connections outside of Bristol and around the UK.
“I moved to Bristol because of its creative background, and it’s nice that I can meet and know so many people. If I was in London I’d feel like a small fish in a big pond.
“I feel like I’ve got the city behind my back. Like Aitch with Manchester,” they laugh. “Bristol is my city.”
Following a successful launch party at The Cellars in Bristol Beacon two weeks ago and with more singles to be released, Nat promises more live shows can expected in the coming months.
Keep your eyes peeled for Nat Oaks on future festivals lineup, if the past two years are anything to go by, they’re sure to be moving up and up and up on those festival posters in the near future.
Platforms is out on April 5, you can pre-save it at https://slinky.to/NatOaksPlatforms
Main photo: Nat Oaks
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