Nate Mercereau — S O M S I R E N

For this month's artist spotlight, I got the opportunity to spend the day with my friend Nate Mercereau, and shoot him at his studio in LA’s Echo Park. He is a talented producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, who has and continues to create his own lane.

A Bay Area native, Nate grew up listening, playing and studying music. While in the Bay, he got the chance to play guitar for Sheila E., touring worldwide for four years. This experience ultimately allowed him to hone his own talents, and develop them into a blossoming career.

Now residing in LA, he has worked with, produced, written and collaborated with artists such as Leon Bridges, Lizzo, Banks, Donna Missal, Kesha, Alessia Cara and Rhye (just to name a few), all the while working on his own projects as an artist and running his own label, How So Records - "a record label for seekers”. Nate’s ability to live in both worlds of creating his own sound and aiding in the creation of some of today’s pop hits is a testament to his skill and focus.

His latest solo album, entitled Joy Techniques, released July of 2019, is a beautiful blend of unique guitar/synth sounds, creating an atmosphere of jazz-influenced instrumentals. After talking with Nate, I got the sense that this album was a true labor of love, creating music everyday and working through the process of creation until it felt right. The way he described it to me reminded me of throwing a stone in still water; the center being the epicenter of sound vibrations, rippling out until it becomes whole.

Through this project, you really get a sense of the musical nuances and technicality Nate possesses. It truly feels like a body of work that represents the rawness and beauty of his passion.

In the coming year, he hopes to further grow his label How So Records, signing new artists and working on his solo projects. A man of many talents I am excited to see what the coming years holds for Nate, and can’t wait to continue to share his journey here on SOMSIREN. You can listen to what inspires him to create/his favorite tracks and some of his favorite work below.

PLAYLIST

Earth - Joe Henderson & Alice Coltrane

The Trees Are Starting to Have Personality - Nate Mercereau

Max Brown, Pt. 1 - Jeff Parker

Half the Day Is the Night - Gabor Szabo

Sunrise of the Planetary Dream Collector (feat. Don Cherry) [Live] - Terry Riley & Don Cherry

Malkauns - Don Cherry

Righteous Energy - Nate Mercereau

Lesson 2: Play (feat. Jason Lindner, Fabian Almazan & Burniss Earl Travis - Nyeusi & Justin Brown

Corazon Topanga 122918 (feat. Sam Gendel & Jamire Williams) - Carlos Nino & Friends

Morning Prayer - Kieran Hebden & Steve Reid

There You Are - Nate Mercereau