Nathalie Nahai (vocals, guitar, violin) - Gary Kilminster (bass) - Naz Mokhtar (keys) - Al Sweetman (drums)
Influences
John Martyn, Fionn Regan, Emily Teague, Jamie Lawson, Tom Baxter, Kaki King, Ani DiFranco, Iron and Wine, Susheela Raman, Jewel, Doves, Jono McCleery, Joni Mitchell, Tori Amos, Edith Piaf, Martha Wainwright, James Yorkston, The Beatles, Sufjan Stevens, Mariza, Kate Rusby, Adele Swallow, Hanne Huckleberg, Nick Drake, Fiona Apple, Joshua Radin, Emily Teague, Norah Jones, Gillian Welch, Souad Massi, The Decemberists, Paula Cole, The Kinks, Charles Aznavour, Mia Doi Todd, Nitin Sawhney, Joan Baez, Feist
This July, I will be releasing the much-anticipated second album, Fortune Teller. Recorded in the Southern State of Georgia, USA, you can hear the strong influences of folk and bluegrass, and my collaboration with other blues musicians lends this album a depth and variety enriched further by the simple production style.
I was born in London to my half Iranian/half French mother, and Gibraltarian father. Having been classically trained in violin and self-taught on guitar (which led me to a rather unique plucking style), I write my own music and have been performing in the UK and US for the past three years, both solo and with my band. Whilst studying at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design (London), I travelled to the States to record my debut album with multi-platinum Grammy award winning producer Don McCollister. It was released in 2006 on my label, Fuzzy Muskrat Records (FMR), and received critical acclaim.
The album, Fortune Teller, is personal in a far more spiritual way. The imagery of the album is taken from two Tarot cards (from the ‘Rider Waite’ deck); the front and back illustrations are from ‘The World’ card, and the inside of the CD is ‘The Lovers card’. My relationship with Tarot reading has its history; I first had a reading whilst at university and was fascinated - the girl reading said I had skills to become a good reader if I wanted to learn. So as time went on I taught myself, went on a tarot course, and eventually ended up working at a holistic shop in Birmingham called ‘Zen’. Over the next two years I read there at weekends, after which I moved to London.
In 2007 I performed to packed houses in my first UK tour, and returned to the US to record my second album.
This is Fortune Teller.
PRESS REVIEWS:
"Sweet and sensational vocal stylings... The raw acoustics of this collection are fabulous... delicate melodies and beautiful structures" **** MAVERICK
"Post-KT Tunstall, singer-songwriters are 10 a penny but Nahai stands out from the crowd. Languid, with a hint of country… the perfect soundtrack to balmy summer evenings" PIERRE PERRONE - MUSIC WEEK
"Pure quality" ACOUSTIC MAGAZINE
"A voice so clear and elemental, so sweet and effortlessly reflexive, you're forced to stop and listen" ANALOGUE MAGAZINE
"Overboard"
Click HERE
to sign up to the Nathalie Nahai Mailing List.
Hey saw you had Rena Jones as one of your friends, thought you'd like to know she's playing on Friday 25th July @ Inspiral Lounge, Camden with electronica artist Nalepa (also on Native State Records). Should be a great evening of glitch and IDM music and would be great to see you there! For more info go to inspiralled.net
Hey there Nathalie! Thanks for the add Absolutely love your songs esp "Blood and Cyanide"..great lyrics and vocals :) Hope that you like our tunes too!! All the best RADIO DYNAMICS x
