A couple of days ago I was talking with a friend about events surrounding my start writing for Weekly Music Commentary. As with any endeavor, I had to be committed to a consistent, continuous effort. The interesting part is that the events discussed did not mark my WMC start. However, it did mark a true dedication mark, and I have not looked back since.
Looking back, I was prepared and able to write a weekly music commentary, but I needed to find the reason inside myself to bring it about each week. It reminds me of what happens in the lives of many musicians. Various events prepare them for their careers. I guess that’s why in life we speak of it as a journey. With many bumps and bruises to match the positive things, we still find out way.
Our featured artist this week is a fine example of a musician who has enjoyed the journey. Now we have some great music from a seasoned entertainer ready for more acclaim. This week Weekly Music Commentary features the dynamic Natalie Prass.
Before any of you utter the familiar phrase, “I never heard of her”, I’ll tell you another personal story about my time at Weekly Music Commentary. When I started the blog I had several close friends remark positively about the writing and artist choices. However, as time went on I started to hear that phrase almost weekly. After a while I heard nothing from those friends. By then I realized there were many other readers around the world. Many of them who were very familiar with featured artists. I then understood there were many people around the world who were reading about the featured artist – familiar or not.
Natalie Prass is not an international superstar – yet! However, I know that many music fans know her and her music well. If not, well once again I hope this post serves as an introduction.
Natalie Prass was born March 15, 1986 in Cleveland, Ohio. She lived in Los Angeles for a short time before moving to Virginia Beach when she was around three or four. She experienced a normal musician childhood in that she started writing music while in first grade. I call it normal musician childhood because many artists show signs of talent very early in life, even if not many are paying attention. However, a development a little later in her life set the tone for much more to come.
Natalie Prass formed a band with friend Matthew E. White in the eighth grade. She went on to attend an art magnet high school in Virginia Beach Frank W Cox High School. In an interview with Pitchfork, Prass explained what happened after high school.
“Accidentally. Right out of high school, I went to Berklee [College of Music] in Boston. I was only there for one year. I was probably too young to be in a city that size—I never left the practice room or my dorm room. [laughs] It’s funny because, growing up in Virginia, I was always the kid who was like, “One day I’ll leave this beach town and move to New York or Boston.” Of course, once I did, I was terrified.”
Prass decided to leave Berklee and move to Nashville. She enrolled in a new songwriting program at Middle Tennessee State University. “MTSU helped me be responsible with my songwriting. It taught me that I need to finish, regardless of whether I feel inspired or bored. Just finish.”
By this time you have noticed several events and decisions that have prepared Natalie Prass for a music career. Not necessarily a smooth ride, but a journey nonetheless.
The move to Nashville would prove fruitful in several ways. It was there that a major part of the musical journey took place. She spent years there juggling session work, waitressing to pay the rent, and playing late-night gigs all trying to find that one break in the business. Speaking about her struggle in an interview for The New Yorker, Prass enumerated her story. “In Nashville, it’s business. It’s formula. It’s competition every day. You are fighting just to exist. You get used to rejection. I was just another brown-haired white girl with bangs who plays guitar and writes songs. Everyone said no to me. Everyone.”
The grind was wearing Natalie Prass down. She was on the way toward giving up on music altogether. She then made a decision that would lead her right back on the track toward success. Natalie Prass made the decision to move back to Virginia. In fact, she would reunite with old band mate from school Matthew E. White in Richmond and other childhood musician friends.
White told Prass that he was building a studio. “We recorded in Matt’s attic,” Prass said. “There was no air conditioning. It was not renovated at all, more like a wooden, A-frame, sketchy, don’t-step-there-you-might-fall-through-the-roof attic, with a tape machine, console, microphones, and a huge beluga-whale papier-mâché piñata hanging from the roof. Spacebomb studio was just an idea, but it was a strong idea that carried us. It was all these childhood friends in a cocoon trying to make something. I know the word ‘collective’ is really overused, but that’s what it is.”
Natalie Prass had found the combination that worked. On January 27, 2015, Prass released her eponymous début album on Spacebomb and Columbia Records. It was recognized as one of the Best New Albums by music review website Pitchfork. The singer-songwriter was creating music that was finding critical acclaim and music fans. There was more music coming.
Normally, I hear about new music from many sources. As I was researching other music, an advertisement came through my email for new music by Natalie Prass. Her second album The Future and the Past was released on June 1, 2018. That was my first introduction to Prass, and I was very impressed. The album became a quick part of my personal library. I will tell you the album is very good. I encourage you to download or stream it right away.
What might be next for Natalie Prass? Currently on tour, don’t be surprised by more television appearances. Natalie already appeared on the British music television show, Later… with Jools Holland in 2015. If that happens very few people will need an introduction.