Artist Spotlight: Natalie Oaks
Photo by @khaliphotography
Few newcomers have impressed me in the way Bristol based soul-stress Nat Oaks has on ‘Keeping Up Appearances’. An easy comparison to make for Oaks is Arlo Parks, whose superb debut has just seen her nominated for multiple Brit Awards, but Nat is very much in her own lane stylistically and sonically. Her approach is tinged by lo-fi soundscapes, wistful in its accentuation of beauty, never straying far from ethereal melancholy. Her delivery never asks too much from the listener, at ease with its own tone and melodic expression, Nat knows when to push the beat deeper into poignant potency. This feels like the work of a focused and emotionally assured narrator. I caught up with Nat to chat about the new EP, her thematic and conceptual approach, and her musical inspirations and goals.
BT: Who is Natalie Oaks?
NO: I’m an R&B/Neo-soul artist from Gloucester, living in Bristol. Everyone just calls me Nat.
BT: As an artist who merges genre within your music, who are some of the most important music inspirations for you?
NO: My sound is really inspired by 90s R&B and Hip Hop. Lauryn Hill has always been a big one. There’s also Loyle Carner - his storytelling and chilled aura are things I’m really drawn to. Creatively, I really look up to Lava La Rue. She’s not afraid to break the status quo and it’s an attitude I’ve been embracing.
BT: The pandemic has changed the way we make, listen and digest music. How has the pandemic affected your work flow?
NO: It’s made me engage with music much more on a constant basis, so it has really just become a part of my everyday life. I finished school early because of the pandemic which gave me a lot more freedom to focus fully on being creative, in terms of writing and coming up with concepts. It’s been difficult sometimes because I get inspiration from people and conversations, so when it feels like the world is at a standstill it means I have to look inside my own head for ideas. I just have to work harder.
BT: As with any aspect of creativity, habitual circumstances and experiences play a huge part in your artistic direction. How has your upbringing shaped and changed your musical sound and style?
NO: I’ve grown up in a lot of different places. I was born in Ghana, then moved to and grew up in Wales, then finally Gloucester (but now live in Bristol haha). I think moving to so many different places just made me more aware of who I am and what I represent, and has helped me stick to it. Otherwise, it would have meant changing myself a lot to keep up with everyone else, which I don’t care about.
I’m quite laid back and conscious. Moving around is hectic so my sound is centred around relaxing in the midst of chaos. It keeps me grounded.
BT: There are running themes of love, affection and heartbreak throughout the EP. Where did the themes and motifs of the EP stem?
NO: Personal experiences and relationships were definitely the main thing that set off the EP. I wanted to give myself the space to reminisce (or wallow hahah), just for a little bit, before getting on with the rest of my life. Especially when you’re young, it can be hard to describe how you’re feeling, so that’s why a lot of the motifs are so abstract. I had “Songs for Women” by Frank Ocean stuck in my head at the time, especially the cover art for ‘nostalgia, Ultra’. It pretty much inspired the whole project. You can probably figure out a lot of what I meant by listening to that mixtape.
BT: How personal do you consider the project? Is it conceptual or is it based on real life events?
NO: It’s such a blend between the two that I couldn’t say it’s completely one or the other. When I write, I often use personal experiences or thoughts I’ve had as the base for the rest of a song. From there, I let my mind do what it wants. I really like having something to look at when I’m writing so I make a mood board with photos, whether they’re mine or by finding them online.
I guess the best way I can describe the project is as one major poem. It’s inevitable that whatever I write will have a piece of myself in it. But at the same time, I’m consciously writing for others so you have to leave things up to interpretation.
BT: There is great earnestness throughout the project. How important is authenticity and realism to your musical approach?
NO: It’s so important. The music I relate most to is where I can see myself in the lyrics. Especially being queer, there’s not much representation for people like me, so I count on music to allow others to feel seen. There’s a lot of people in the music industry, so there’s no point getting involved if I’m just doing what everybody else is. Even though some concepts seem abstract, they’re my realistic way of trying to make sense of the world
BT: Are the instrumentals self produced?
NO: I found the producers on Instagram and they just completely suited the vibe I was going for. This project was purely a way of finding my voice and sound so that’s why I went about it that way.
BT: Each song offers something different texturally and thematically. What’s your personal favourite track from the project?
NO: ‘Poison Ivy’. It was the first track I recorded and just seemed to fit so perfectly with the sound I was trying to create. I’m also proud of the imagery I managed to create.
BT: What artists would you love to collaborate with in the future?
NO: It’s got to be Loyle Carner, Lava La Rue, Pip Millet and Billie Eilish. There’s so much potential for such distinctive sounds with each of those artists. We’re also around the same age so I think it would be calm relating to them.
BT: What’s next for Nat? Any future projects / shows in the pipeline?
I’m working on my next EP which is going to be a much more rounded piece and will show exactly who I am as an artist. Visuals and extra bits and pieces are a priority. It’s looking like I’m going to be able to put on some shows coming out of Covid. My dream gig would be Boiler Room so that’s what I’m working towards haha.
BT: Looking forward to that; thanks for the chat, Nat!
This is a truly excellent piece of work, with four heartfelt and thoughtful offerings. A great new talent - I recommend you don’t miss out. Check out Natalie Oaks’ debut EP below.