Even by modern music standards -- which dictate that bands be described in no less than three-genre compounds and virtually no adjective is off limits -- you don't often hear the words "psycho" and "flute" together.
Actually, you don't hear the wind instrument mentioned much at all, which is what makes Milwaukee's flute-driven Daniel Nathan Band a stand out amongst its rock 'n' roll contemporaries.
Flautist and lead vocalist Daniel Nathan calls it his selling point.
But don't mistake the delicate instrument for a precious sound; Nathan and his band -- Jim Korn on bass and Chris Vincent on drums -- jam hard and heavy in a classic rock vein with soulful blues infusions.
The band released its "Voodoo Magic" EP this past spring and is following up with not another album, but rather a live DVD of its CD release party in Minneapolis. "Live at Mayslack's" features live performances of the EP's "Voodoo Magic," "Don't Tell Me You Love Me," "Sands of Mars" and "Hermit's Trail," as well as a couple Hendrix covers.
The trio is hosting a DVD release party this Saturday, Aug. 2 at the Up and Under Pub with Whiskey Bound and Mike Willis. Nathan also cut a live album of the Mayslack's show and is giving is away with the $6 cover charge. The DVD costs $10.
"I've been asked several times for live recordings," says Nathan. "I wanted to do a DVD because seeing the show really lets you feel more of the energy than just hearing a show. There wasn't anything specific about the Mayslack's show except my good friend Damian Kussian, a filmmaker who was a roommate at UW Madison, lives in Minneapolis. Damian has filmed many local hip hop and rock artists, has made documentaries for Spike TV, and is currently doing work for the History Channel. We've always talked about getting some footage of the band and the opportunity arose at our first show in Minneapolis."
In addition to the live material, Nathan says a new album is on the horizon.
"We were already thinking about the next CD before we finished the last one! The new (songs) so far have been heavy duty. We've got about half a dozen songs in the works right now and we're hoping to have a full-length album finished by winter."
In the meantime, catch the band live on 88.9 RadioMilwaukee's "Radio 414" show this Friday, Aug. 1 at 5:30 p.m.
OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Julie Lawrence grew up in Wauwatosa and has lived her whole life in the Milwaukee area.
As any “word nerd” can attest, you never know when inspiration will strike, so from a very early age Julie has rarely been seen sans pen and little notebook. At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee it seemed only natural that she major in journalism. When OnMilwaukee.com offered her an avenue to combine her writing and the city she knows and loves in late 2004, she knew it was meant to be. Around the office, she answers to a plethora of nicknames, including “Lar,” (short for “Larry,” which is short for “Lawrence”) as well as the mysteriously-sourced “Bill Murray.”
