Northwest based artist Nate Botsford has set forth on his own path of country rock, taking in influences of some of the best songwriters (Cash, Dylan and Morrison) while throwing in a touch of big band in honor of his piano-playing grandfather. With country and faith in his blood, Nate writes lyrics that anyone who listens “can feel were written just for them to find a glimmer of hope.” Today, Nate releases his latest single “Church on Sunday“- a song that really hits home given what the world has been going through the past few years.
We recently caught up with Nate to talk about the track, his musical journey and more.
CN: For our readers who may not be familiar with you, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
NB: I grew up in Oregon for the most part. I love camping, hiking, riding horses. I come from a big family. 8 kids and now have lots of nieces and nephews. I’m also a pretty avid tree climber.
CN: At what age did you discover music and when did you know that this was the path that you wanted to pursue as a career?
NB: When I was 3 I made a guitar out of an old popcorn popper and rubber bands. And I’d perform for my parents. I always loved music. When I graduated high school I realized that music is all I wanna do for the rest of my life.
CN: As a songwriter, you have noted that Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, and Van Morrison are big inspirations to you. What is it about each that draws you to their craft? How do their songwriting styles influence yours?
NB: I just really love their writing. How their songs tell a story and they all really made me feel something. And that’s what I want my music to do. Make people feel something.
CN: Can you take us through your songwriting process? Where do you pull inspiration from?
NB: it’s different every time. But i really strive to write real life stuff. Whether it’s sad, happy, funny, etc. i just really want people to be able to relate and feel it.
CN: Do you remember the first song you wrote?
NB: it was a song I wrote when I was 13 for my church. I have it written down somewhere in an old notepad.
CN: During the pandemic, you found yourself writing A LOT. What was it about the pause in everyday life that inspired you? Was having more time a factor?
NB: the pandemic started off pretty rough for me. Losing all my shows and also being away from people. But sitting in my car one day the inspiration just hit me. And I wrote my most recent single “we need one another”. And from there I just dove into writing. Having all the free time obviously helped the writing process.
CN: How many songs do you have written and ready to record?
NB: I am not sure on the exact amount. But I have about 10-15 out of the many I’ve written over the last couple years that I’m excited to get in the studio to record and release.
CN: Your new single “Church on Sunday” is set to be released on March 28th. Did you write this song during the pandemic?
NB: I wrote that one with Kenny Foster in Nashville. And it was mid pandemic.
CN: What was the inspiration behind the track?
NB: We both come from similar backgrounds. And just wanted to write something very real. And I really think we can all do better at loving and accepting people. And also the church as a whole doing the same.
CN: If you could collaborate with any one artist, who would it be?
NB: it’s a dream to write with Old Dominion. I love their style, their writing, and just who they are as a band.
CN: What was the first concert you ever attended?
NB: My very first concert was a gospel show with a quartet called The Cathedrals.
CN: If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be and why?
NB: complex. Haha I feel like I have a pretty unique personality. And I’m all over the board with what I like to do. I can be the super quiet one in a group, or the main attraction in a group setting. I’m a pretty quiet guy in general. But then can go up on stage and be totally different.
CN: Now that live shows are starting to come back more and more, are you setting out on tour?
NB: we are super excited for this year. We have trips planned for Colorado, Wyoming, South and North Dakota, Idaho, Washington, Montana and a few others. We are very ready to be back on the road.
CN: What’s next on the horizon for you?
NB: We are going to be hitting it hard in the studio to get more songs out. I’ll be traveling back and forth to Nashville to write. And then just touring all over and bringing live music back to people. 🙂
“Church on Sunday” is available today on Spotify and Amazon Music.
For more information on Nate Botsford, visit his website at www.natebotsfordmusic.com and follow him on Facebook and Instagram.