At 2000trees and his debut UK festival performance, we spoke with Nate Bergman about his solo material, new single Deep End and when UK fans can expect to see him on these shores with headline shows.
Hi Nate, how are you today on this lovely sunny day?
Incredible. Truly great. How are you?
Feeling good, I’m feeling really good especially as the morning rain has disappeared and turned to sunshine. So how was your set today?
Amazing. Truly. My debut UK summer festival set and it couldn’t have gone better to me, but I felt really embraced.
Can you sum up your sound in five words for those who might not have heard of you before?
(after a little think) Soul punk Americana singer-songwriter.
Easy and to the point! Your recent single Wish I Was has a country rock vibe and was recorded in Nashville, can you tell us more about the track?
I went into Bomb Shelter studio in Nashville and recorded live to two inch tape. No computers involved. Incredible all star band Meg Coleman, Jack Lawrence from The Raconteurs, Jo Schornikow. Just my favourite players in Nashville and we went in and just ripped it and the idea was to kind of make a funky rock tune with a little edge to it about going through a break up.
Lyrically where do you find inspiration? Is it based on things you’ve gone through or those around you have?
It’s from my sick little brain. Life experience dictates a lot of it but some fantasy, some fact, some fiction.
You released your new single Deep End on Wednesday, with the Trees signal not being on our side we’ve not had a chance to listen to the track yet but let’s talk more about it!
It’s a sombre piece about ending up on the losing side of a gamble, you know? It’s an introspective, lyrically very dark and very literal, just about the pain of losing.
Looking forward to the future, when can we anticipate a follow-up to 2022’s Metaphysical Change? Is it going to stick to the same vibe as your previous material and have you been working on it?
I don’t know. I don’t know yet. I’ve got some really fun stuff cooking up. I think it’s a nice evolution from the last record and I’m very focused on showcasing my voice. That’s my focus, right now so the lyrics will be better and the focus on the voice will be more prominent.
Do you have a stand out lyric? One which means a lot to you or sums things up for you or a favourite?
Jimmy Cliff – Many Rivers To Cross. To me, it means never give up.
We’re at 2000trees today, what would be your dream festival line-up with you on it?
It’s pretty close you know! We have Gaslight Anthem here. We have Frank Turner. We have Amigo The Devil. We have Cleopatrick. There are some amazing bands here. So I’m pretty much on my dream line-up.
Have you managed to see anyone yet whilst you’ve been here?
I got in today so I missed all my favourites. I will get to see Amigo The Devil tonight, who I’m on tour with right now so I watch him every night. But I get to see him at a festival so even cooler!
Finally, what does the rest of 2024 look like for you?
Touring non-stop. I’ll be back in the UK in December and I’ll be across the US for the rest of the year!
Thank you and have a great rest of the day!
Thank you for taking the time.
Interview By: Nicola Craig
