There is an innovative, sultry, new-age Pop/R&B combo in the blazing North Carolina music scene – and she goes by Natalie Carr.
Interview conducted April 2, 2021
By Dan Locke
“I’ve found my stride in being honest in my writing, for everyday people, like myself, to relate.”- Natalie Carr
What is your upbringing?
Yoooooo! Thank you for having me! I’m Natalie Carr, I’m from CT originally but I’ve been living in Charlotte, NC for three years.
How did you discover music?
I grew up listening to all genres of music and I’ve loved music for as long as I can remember. I used to sing fake lyrics over songs I had never heard when I was a toddler from start to finish (lol) and I remember my family thinking that it was the weirdest thing. As I grew up, I gravitated towards r&b, country, pop, and alternative/indie music. I was also a huge pop punk fan.
How did you start to write music?
I grew up playing piano and guitar and I began writing songs in middle school. I started out writing lyrics/poetry and in high school/college I began toying with melodies and toplines. I would write lyrics in my notebooks in class when I was younger, and it was a habit I never grew out of. It wasn’t like a conscious goal of mine to be a ‘songwriter’ but when I turned 20(ish) I realized that it was the one thing I always consistently did well in my life, and more importantly, it was the one thing I knew I had to try (career-wise) because I wouldn’t forgive myself for not!
How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?
My dad bought me my first electric-acoustic Ibanez when I was about 12 or 13, and yes, I still have it! I took guitar lessons from a really cool dude named Mike who ended up joining one of my mom’s cover bands. I learned chord progressions, basic tablature, and basic scales. It was really all I needed and wanted to learn to be able to compose songs of my own (and emulate the music I was listening to at the time).
Describe your music.
My music lives somewhere between pop & r&b. I tend to write a lot of mid-tempo records wherein the topline is the main focus. I like to tell stories and while I often adhere to formal structures, I also like using open-ended formats for more emotionally evocative songs.
What was your first performance like?
I only recently started performing live (thanks Covid!) but I have been doing live stream shows and performance videos. Not having that crowd interaction and fan experience has created a different vibe but I had a great first show, nonetheless. I think I was lucky in the sense that I got to explore being comfortable on stage without seeing the audience’s immediate reaction, so that when I have that, I’ll be prepared.
Do you belong to any to songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI or ASCAP?
I do! I am a member of ASCAP.
What makes a good songwriter?
I believe a great songwriter requires having the natural ability, of course, or the knack for it. But what a lot of people don’t realize (in my opinion) is that songwriting takes practice and you CAN get better at it if you study how your favorite songs are structured and what components contributed to that. It’s like a muscle, it’ll get bigger and stronger the more you use it. And of course, it helps when people are writing the type of music they actually like or listen to. Write about what you know, and write about what affects you (even if it isn’t your story).
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
The first song I released was titled ‘Bad Side’ and I recorded it here in Charlotte, NC. It’s a chill r&b mid-tempo song about an ex-lover getting on your bad side after one too many chances. I wrote hundreds before releasing that, and I’m not even sure how we decided on that one specifically at the time lol.
What is the process of writing your music? How much of it is freestyle in the beginning?
I’ve seen the ways in which others write (some go lyrics-first, some go melodies-first, etc.) but as of recently, it’s been a mixture of both. Writing lyrics has always come naturally to me so that’s historically where I’ve started, but I’ve trained myself to tackle melodies first so that I don’t get tied into the cadence of words and how that affects where my song can go. Freestyling is always how I start, though, because I will sing whatever I hear and toy with that for a while. I love when it just ‘comes’ to me, but as we all know, we can’t get lucky all the time and some songs require more effort than others.
Are you still doing demos for other artist? In which you provide a melody and their lyrics?
I am! I’ve been freelancing since the end of 2019 and I enjoy getting to work with artists and challenge myself to write/sing leads that fit their visions. I haven’t been doing it as readily these days because I’m focusing on my own music, but my dream in life is to write songs for great artists full-time.
What are quick writes? Are they official songs?
I started doing a series on my YouTube channel/Tik Tok called ‘quick writes’ where I write the first verse/hook of a song. Some of them have turned into official songs, meaning I finish them, re-cut them, and mix/master. It’s a fun way for me to engage with fans and showcase my writing abilities in a chill, low-pressure situation.
How did you collaborate with the gyms to play “Blue Lights”? Are you going to try to get the airlines to add it to their listening channels for their passengers to hear?
I was so fortunate to learn that gyms (LA Fitness, YMCA, etc.) picked up ‘Blue Lights’ a few months ago and ran the video in all participating locations. I don’t go to any of those gyms so unfortunately I never got to see it live, but the thought that my art was being showcased in such a commercial environment is surreal to me. I’d LOVE to work with an airline and make that happen one day, fingers crossed!
Tell me about your song “Fate”?
‘Fate’ is about all the bad decisions I’ve made in life (literally) not killing me. We all have moments we can look back on that terrify us because we know we were headed down the wrong path but we did what we did anyways. I’ve been young, I’ve been stupid, I’ve been way too trusting and way too angry, and I’ve done things I’m not proud of. I think most everyone can relate to their younger selves being naive and taking risks that were unwarranted. The line “I tried to see the bigger picture but I’m stuck inside it” alludes to feeling trapped in a previous situation because I lacked the maturity and insight to see out of it at the time. But, I’m still here and that must mean something.
What are your feelings about streaming music?
I think it’s a really cool thing that almost anyone, anywhere in the world can listen to music and discover new artists through curated playlists on streaming platforms. I do, however, think artists and their teams get the short end of the stick when it comes to streaming royalties. TIDAL has done an excellent job comparatively, but overall, artists don’t make enough per stream in today’s climate. Sometimes I’m nostalgic for the days where I’d save up my iTunes gift cards to buy an album, knowing how important that was to me, but times have changed.
The symbol # is known as the number sign, hash, pound sign and a sharp sign in music. The symbol has historically been used for a wide range of purposes Since 2007, widespread usage of the symbol to introduce metadata tags on social media platforms has led to such tags being known as “hashtags”, and from that, the symbol itself is sometimes called a hashtag. Are people forgetting that the # is a part of music?
I think because we are inundated with the ‘#’ so often, it’s almost like we’re conditioned to associate it purely with hashtags in the age of the internet. I’ve honestly never really thought about how crazy that is until now, and it’s such a random symbol to have picked for its purpose today lol.
Digital vs. vinyl?
There is nothing cooler than having a physical copy of something you value and cherish. Some records are worth their weight in gold because of where they came from, and more importantly, what that represents to the owner/fan. Records are akin to paperback books, in my opinion. I’ve never switched to a Kindle because I like the weight and smell (weird, I know) of a physical book, you know? But, hearing music and discovering music has never been easier and more convenient and there’s beauty in that, too. I love the fact that we all send little baby sound babies into the world for whoever to hear, whenever.
You are an animal lover and love your cats. Are you ever going to do anything with the ballad you wrote about your cat who died recently?
This is the sweetest question, thank you for asking aw! I know it sounds ridiculous and maybe some won’t understand, but losing my cat in a car accident was really hard for me. He got me through some really tough times and loved me when I felt incredibly alone. I definitely want to finish that song and record it, because it’s about death and grief in general (no matter how that applies to the listener).
Who is Natty Daddy?
Natty Daddy is like my alter ego, I suppose. Nat Daddy doesn’t really care about pleasing people or looking cute, ya know? She just wants to sing shit that affects people on a deeper level and have fun doing it. I forget where I got that nickname (in high school I had a few that were similar) but I’m happy I ran with it.
If “Video Killed the Radio Star” do you think that the Covid-19 virus has killed live music? Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
I do think Covid-19 has had a horrifying and detrimental effect on live music at large, but more specifically, small venues. Small venues got the worst end of this and it’s heartbreaking knowing how these owners’ and employees’ lives have been affected by a year of losses. I don’t think live music is actually going anywhere, though, once we reach a place where venues can re-open and we can return to ‘normal.’ Anecdotally, I feel like 99% of people would answer “live music” when asked what they can’t wait to do when this is all said and done. Music brings people together and our world needs it more than ever.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
I have been writing and recording music! Quarantine was a blessing and a curse for so many artists because we couldn’t meet with one another, many couldn’t perform, etc. However, it really forced me to learn to engineer myself, invest in the right equipment and software, and take charge of writing and churning out records without having to depend on studio time and scheduling. It was empowering in that way.
How do you stay healthy during the lockdown?
Great question! I really enjoyed going on walks and runs but to be honest, I didn’t take exercising as seriously as I tend to. Part of the reason was because gyms closed and grocery stores were cleaned out of all kinds of things, but more importantly, I wanted to give myself some grace. I think a lot of us discovered that at the height of our shared fear and anxiety, the last thing we were worried about was looking good in our pajamas. It really forced me to examine my relationship with exercise and use it more as a mental relief/serotonin-boost rather than a way to control my figure and look a certain way. I’ll be forever grateful for that.
In 2017, you dreamed that one day you would develop a platform dedicated to various social issues and causes. How is that coming along?
I try to be vocal and transparent about the things I believe in on social media and in my everyday life. There are things going on in the world, in front of our faces, that command action, and attention. I never want to shy away from speaking about things I care about because that’s just not who I am as a person. I have a small and intimate fanbase/community, and as I continue to grow my platform, I won’t be the person that doesn’t comment on injustice and stands by idly. It’s really important to me that my fans and followers, who believe in my music and the words I write, truly know the real me and what I’m about.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
Yes! I actually started long-boarding again during quarantine and I’m so happy I did, because now it’s one of my favorite hobbies to relieve stress and get outside. I started reading more and cooking and I came to really enjoy the time to myself. It forced me to depend on myself for entertainment rather than others.
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on livestreamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for “commercial or non-personal” purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licenses.
The updated music guidelines state that users “may not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience […] This will includes [Facebook] Live,” and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only.
How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?
I think that Facebook will find ways to monetize anything they can at whatever cost to its users. Musicians and venues were hit so badly this last year, it’s pitiful that Facebook would find a way to take away one of the last creative and financial lifelines for people whose lives have been affected so drastically. I hope that as musicians, we find platforms that allow us to livestream and perform and make money to support ourselves without these kinds of stipulations.
How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merchandise to them at the show?
I think social media is more important than ever as of 2020. We really had to rely on social media to keep up with our fans, friends, and families, and we were forced to find ways to provide meaningful content without having in-person interaction. I firmly believe that face-to-face interaction (seeing someone’s smile, demeanor, laugh) is so critical, but I am thankful that social media allowed artists to connect in a more personal way this last year. I think a lot of famous artists broke down some of their walls and let us (literally) into their homes and lives in the most unglamorous way, which is really compelling to witness.
Is pay to play still a thing?
Yes, sadly it is. Artists have always had to fund certain marketing and PR endeavors, so this isn’t anything new, but the way that things have become so transactional is problematic. I have to remind myself every day, and I think all amateur artists do as well, that even though I’m not where I want to be, cheap fixes don’t work in the long run. Focusing on providing meaningful content (even if I have 20 views on a video, for example) is more important and will get me farther than paying to be featured in a magazine, because once that is done and over, what would I have truly gained? My manager, John, says “there’s no faking the funk” and those are words to live by. We live in a world where we’re constantly told we aren’t enough, and I think the antidote to that is really valuing ourselves as artists and humans and grinding in the present moment authentically. Why should I dress up the fact that I’m at where I’m at? You either fuck with my music or you don’t, whether I have 1000 plays or 10M, you’re still going to like the song the same, ya know?
What about holographic concerts in our living room?
Ummmmm FUCK to the YA.
Governments around the world are hearing the call…. Do you think this will save music venues?
Yes and no. I think governments are governments, and they are limited and slow-moving. Resources for venues (namely small venues) simply were not deployed quickly enough and a lot of previously successful people went under because they couldn’t wait any longer. I don’t want to see a publicity stunt or hear another weird sympathy speech from a government official. I want to see tangible action and money on the table for these folks.
In the past if a musician were to stop doing music… what would you be doing?
That’s a hard question. I care so deeply about what I’m doing and I’m operating on a pipe dream (as so many of us are), so I don’t like to think about moving on to do something else with my life. But, I’d like to think if I got a job that was entirely unrelated to music, I’d go to law school and become a lawyer that makes a difference in the world, by empowering people and giving my time to provide agency to folks that need it most.
What is your happy place?
I grew up skiing (at one point I even raced competitively, but no, I wasn’t great lol). That being said, being on the mountain is my favorite place to be in the world apart from in the studio. I love being out in nature and doing something fast-paced and grounding. I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be, most days. I also love surfing (I’m horrible) but it gives me a similar feeling. Most people wouldn’t expect me to be into extreme(ish?) sports or the outdoors, but I very much am! My dream life would mean living in a small cabin on a ski mountain and writing songs for work from my home studio… a girl can dream!
Are you planning to do more videos with your iPhone 11?
Yes! I use my phone to make my quick writes because they are so casual, and I love being able to take my phone with me and just record whatever it is I’m doing. I’m excited to make professional, bigger budget videos in the near future, but a DIY project with a phone and friends is timeless.
Alot of musicians such as Stevie Nicks, Bob Dylan, Taylor Swift, Journey, Def Leppard, and Shakira have sold their catalog rights within the last year. Bob Dylan sold his entire catalog for a reported $300 million. Once you get to the age of about 70. Publishing is far more lucrative then the mechanical royalties paid to artist based on sales, airplay and streams. A good example of this is Michael Jackson brought the rights to the Beatles catalog in 1985. And in the late 80’s the Beatles Revolution appeared in a Nike commercial.
The lump sums being offered by publishing firms are more tax friendly concerning estate planning. Do you think you’d be willing…?
If I got to a place where my back-catalog was worth a good deal of money, I would totally consider that. We’re only here on Earth for a short and unpredictable amount of time, and I want to enjoy the fruits of my labor in the way that makes the most sense. As long as my songs are out there being enjoyed and heard, what can I complain about, ya know?
You have been streamed over a million times… But still back at the beginning of this year, Spotify deleted 750k tracks…?
I could be out-of-the-loop on this one, but if I understand correctly, Spotify deleted 750k tracks that used bots to garner fake plays. For an independent artist, it’s hard to weed through the bullshit and garner real plays, so I empathize with the pressure artists feel to move and move quickly. However, if you make great music and you stand by it, it shouldn’t matter that there are 100M other tracks on Spotify. If you believe in your art and your brand, keep making music with the blinders on. It’s a super-saturated landscape and it’s intimidating, but as independent artists, the best we can do is try.
Sony Music in November… will you start using TikTok more?
Yes! Do I think I’ll break myself as an artist on TikTok? Probably not, but who knows. My real goal in using TikTok is making connections, garnering true fans, and being relaxed/chill (i.e. singing karaoke in my kitchen on my phone lol). I’ve made a few friends from TikTok that really value my music, and I never would have had that without making them, even if they are by no means popular. TikTok gets a bad rap sometimes, but there is some DOPE and super niche content on there and there is truly something for everyone.
Anything you’d like to say in closing?
I just want to say thank you for asking so many great and evocative questions and taking the time to reach out. It really means the world to me, and I’m a big fan!
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