Nat Col & The Kings are an Australian blues roots rock pairing of guitarist/vocalist Nathan Cavaleri and former screaming jets drummer Col Hatchman. The band perfectly channels Nathan’s background in the blues and Col’s background with Aussie rockers Screaming Jets. It’s raw and it rocks.
Who are you most excited to see on the Festival of the Sun line-up?
It’s a killer lineup! I’m excited to see many! Snowdroppers for sure and The Datsuns and Jackson Firebird if I had to select!
Do you have a favourite festival moment, either as a performer or a punter?
I played “Out in the Green” in Zurich. 60-80 thousand people. I had just flown in from playing a tiny blues club in San Fran. I had no idea what to expect. I stood side of stage ready to go on and realised they had put me on main stage after Elton John and before Page and Plant! I’ve never been more terrified in my life. Elton had 60000 people pumpin and shouting his choruses. I was a traditional blues act. Crazy! After I played my set, this old guy was standing side of stage. Afterwards, he asked for a signed CD. I rushed him off because I didn’t want to miss “Ugly Kid Joe’s” set. Too young to realise, I had rushed a moment with Jimmy Page. I didn’t know who he was. I’m kicking myself still to this day!
If you could curate your own festival, who would be on the bill?
I’m lovin Aussie acts at the moment. There’s so much amazing music coming out!! I would definitely put together a bill with Dallas Frasca, Snowdroppers, Delta Riggs, Jackson Firebird, Brothers Grim & the Blue Murders Minnie Marks….and maybe The Bamboos for an after party to mellow out and bust some moves – with my two left feet! Not after a big ass festival just a cool little underground gig that puts a focus on today’s take on blues based music!
You’ve just finished a tour on the east coast, how did it go?
Each tour we do surprises me. People know our songs! People are anticipating.. No more “semi-circles” around a “no-mans land” in front of the stage. It’s a good feeling when you’re indy. We have a tiny team of believers, so each goal we kick is felt deep inside. I want to do it again!
Who has the most annoying habits on tour? Nobody has really annoying habits, however we all have our things. If we’re at a service centre filling up, it’ll only be at the end when we are ready to go, that Kenny will decide to order food and coffee. EVERYTIME! Col drives like he drums! MANIC!…. Hmmm You’d have to ask the boys about my annoying habits.. I’m sure I have a few! When you’re in a bus for 12 hours, it’s the small things that get under your skin. Aaa I piss every 2 minutes and I know that it can be annoying, especially for the tour manager! I’m responsible for every healthy tree along the freeway from Melbourne to Brisbane!
The single ‘Coming Home’ was released last month, how has it been received?
People have been waiting for “Coming Home” for quite a while now. We’ve been playing it on stage since the beginning but never got around to releasing it. Media seem to be diggin it. We just hit no.9 on the radio charts, and the film clip seems to go down well!
What’s your earliest memory of performing and who inspired you to start?
My earliest memory of performing would have been on the street in front of my mum’s coffee shop in Campbelltown. I’d play along to backing tracks and actually made more money from some of the gigs we do today!! Haha! In half an hour back in 1988, I made $265. Haha! Classic. I had 3 inspirations, My dad, Mark Knopfler, and the end of Back to the Future! Ha!
Do you have any particular ritual before you go on stage, or even a lucky charm you take with you?
I don’t have a ritual outside of warming up the voice but I do have a lucky charm. I found it in an antique store when I was a kid on tour with Jimmy Barnes. It coincidently had the initials of my late pop engraved on it.
What records have you stolen from your parent’s record collection and why?
Stevie Ray Vaughn’s “Couldn’t Stand the Weather” because I hadn’t heard anything like it before. Rolling Stones “Exhile on Main Street. This was a late occurrence. I watched the doco on this before I’d heard the album all the way through and I’ve been in love ever since. Keith Richards book is incredible.
What new music are you listening too you at the moment?
My proposed festival is what I’m listening to at the moment… Dallas Frasca really moved me when we were playing a festival with them. I’d never really heard them before, and I was blown away! The power and rawness is incredible. Same goes with Snowdroppers. Maybe’s its because I’ve had a long history with the blues that I fall deep for bands who base themselves on it and do it well! ESPECIALLY if they’re powerful and give it a spin. I’ve recently been spending a lot of time getting reacquainted with the old stuff – Muddy Waters, Stones, Creedence, Bo Diddley, Chuck…. As the musical mind evolves you begin to look at history differently.
What’s next for Nat Col and the Kings?
First tour of WA is coming up in November! We’re hanging! Based around Bridgetown Blues Festival – I did that festival when I was kid and have very fond memories! We have a second single and EP to release and tour… I thankfully don’t see many calendar spaces to fill! Damn it’s good to play! Makin’ memories! It’s what it’s all about!
Catch Nat Cole and The Kings at Festival Of The Sun 2012 too!
