Nick Tate Has Entered The Building

As you well know, I’m the lead singer in the band, Five Inches of Steel. Admittedly, we don’t write our own music; we certainly don’t play our own music; we don’t sing live; we look crap without make-up; but we do write our own lyrics, which means we ain’t doing too bad when compared to some of the reality-rubbish we get these days.

That’s why I am so pleased to introduce to you Nick Tate, a young musician who has taken the route into music involving working hard, developing his own sound and tapping into his raw talent. I was lucky enough to catch up with the man himself and find out all about him and his, soon to be released, debut album.

Nick, first of all, thanks for stopping by. Why don’t you start telling us about you, and what got you into music.

Afternoon. It’s all a bit random really. Firstly, I come from a pretty musical family. My granddad was a composer and arranger, as well as the conductor for the BBC Scottish National Orchestra. We had his piano sat in our living room at home. Myself and my two brothers were all sat down as seven-years-olds and told we had to learn to play the piano or we wouldn’t be getting any food and that our hands would be chopped off…OK, that’s probably a slight exaggeration, but it was basically a given that we’d all play, because everyone, and I mean everyone, plays something.

That sounds great. The Jackman family didn’t indulge in such culture, although Old Man Jacko told me he threatened Des O’Connor, once. 

Hang on  – did he threaten Des, or did he threaten you with Des. Both a bit random.

I grew up enjoying a real eclectic set of music, a lot of early jazz, blues and then obviously stuff like The Beatles, Stones and Beach Boys. I picked up guitar when I was about thirteen to play through the Oasis and Nirvana songbook (having become utterly sick of jazz). I always kept it going, not taking it too seriously, but then I totally screwed my back, when I was twenty-one, and kind of found it again. That coincided with a move to London after Uni. and, all of a sudden, I found I had a lot to write about. London’s mental, especially when you’re managing two careers, one that pays the rent and one that you really love, which is music. I started playing gigs, just because I wanted people to hear the tunes. London’s weird because people really don’t talk to each other so for some unknown reason I thought it might help.

Damn straight they don’t talk. The cockneys just ignore you. Dizzee Rascal completely blanked me when I asked him to pull my finger.

Haha – I’m sure it’s not just Grime artists mate. The thought would terrify anyone with a nose. As for the feeling of anonymity in London, it’s weird as I’m from a small town outside Nottingham where everyone knows your business. I haven’t lived there for six years and people still know my business but I think that’s more down to Facebook and my mum. There’s no community in London, although, mentally, people are very much in the same place which is why I find it quite strange. Also, everyone’s on top of each other, all of the time. Ever tried the tube in rush hour? It’s like being in a sardine can…in Hell.

Mentally the same? No other region is deranged enough to say “apples and pears” when they unclearly mean “stairs.” Jesus, what’s cockney rhyming slang for “Stennah Stair Lift”? (Oh, and RIP Thora Hird)

Cockneys were put on this world to confuse people. That’s why everyone wonders what Danny Dyer is actually famous for, because let’s face it, it ain’t his acting, and he looks proper shit-scared on “Britain’s Hardest” or whatever it’s called.

I like the episode where he wouldn’t stay out in the woods, for a night, because he needed a poo. Back to your music, what makes Nick Tate’s sound, Nick Tate’s sound?

I think the jazz influence certainly comes through, as well as blues and rock. F*ck – writing this makes me now think that I play in a jazz/blues/rock fusion band which is a bit worrying! I try and write tracks that people can relate to, whether that’s something that gets you going, or something more melodic. I’ve always wanted to play stuff that sounds, well, good, but is also music that people can understand. Being very musical is also really important to us. I sat down with my drummer, Dom, at the start of this, and we talked about what we wanted to do. We both agreed that it was incredibly important for the musicianship to come through on all of the tunes. Translated, this probably meant he wanted to do a shit load of drum solos, but we’re totally dedicated to making the songs sound as good as possible, both live and recorded, for both our own sakes and the audience. Why don’t you decide? Go to http://www.myspace.com/nicktatemusic where there are a few songs from the album that you can listen to.

Sounds great, my man. Sounds great. What can you tell us about the new album?

Well, it’s called “Turn Into Twilight” and it’s basically about an experience of living in a big city.

Have you written a song about getting black boogers when travelling on the tube? Actually, that would go well to Ram Jam’s “Black Betty”.  “Big Black Boogers, bambalam, Big Black Booger, bambalam…”

“Black Booger from the sweat bammalamm”? Nice. There’s a cover right there methinks. As for the big smoke, I find it weird that I’d probably be a different person if I’d moved back home. I guess London or any big city acts a filter to your experiences.

What do you mean by that?

 
Big cities are pressure pots. My dad always said they’re like sewers, and that big shits rise to the top, but then again he also thinks the best thing to come out of London is the road north. I think living in London leaves you with a thick skin. It’s abrasive, it’s a real assault on the senses which takes a lot of getting used to. The pace is different is well, so I think it’s made me work harder, act less complacent and probably see more opportunities.

How long did it take you to record the album?

It took from December ’08 to Sepetember ’09, so close to ten months and was a real labour of love. Balancing day jobs, gigs, recordings and people’s availability is a real mission and often involved getting up earlier, going to bed later and letting a lot of people down. I was really lucky to get picked up by a producer who not only loved the tracks but who had as harsh a work ethic as I do.

So, if I was put “Turn Into Twilight” into my music collection, which artists would it sit well with (assuming I don’t organise my CDs in alphabetical order)?

It’s a difficult one, most artists hate answering this question because it makes it sound like they’ve nicked ideas and their sound from someone else. I’d stick myself half way between John Mayer (but less bluesy), Ray LaMontagne (but less acoustic), Jack Johnson (without the surfboard), The Fray (without the ugly lead singer), Dave Matthew Band (without the random melodies and jazz flute) people like that really. I’d be pretty chuffed if I was compared to any of them to be honest with you. Sorry lead singer of the Fray-you’re beautiful in your own way : )

You’re beautiful too, Nick…swoon

…erm…right…how about I just stick you between Power Ballads 5 and Power Ballads 6. 

Nice – thanks for that. Top Gear Driving Anthems here I come….

When’s the album out and have you got any party plans? 

The official launch date is November 17th and it’s going out through iTunes. We’ve got 1000 limited editions pressed to sell at gigs and get out to radio stations and all that. The album launch party is at The Green Carnation, 5 Greek Street, Soho, London, on the 17th Nov and we’ve got some great support acts. Failing, that you can get a sneak preview now at www.nicktate.co.uk and there’s the usual info and gig dates and all that stuff on their too.

Lastly mate, fancy joining up with Five Inches of Steel?

Which artists would it sit well with?

I’ll take that as a no.