After establishing herself as one a wonderfully fresh and inventive artist on the rise these last few years, Gloucestershire-based artist Nat Oaks returns once again to offer up her energetic new single 'BACKSEAT DRIVER'.
Opting for a brilliantly warm and shimmering dream-pop-inspired aesthetic for her latest outing, 'BACKSEAT DRIVER' makes for a fun and uplifting listen. With her distinctive vocal flow riding across a bright and invigorating production from start to finish, she is returning to the fold with one of her most impactful cuts to date here.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with her to find out more about her background and what has been inspiring her most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
I had piano lessons from a really young age, around 6 or 7. I’m really grateful that my parents gave me that opportunity. My dad was a musician and that led me to follow in his footsteps naturally from early days. Eventually I made the switch to teaching myself guitar, which is now my main love.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
Anything you could dance to. I’m from Ghana originally, so the soundtrack to my childhood was afrobeats. On the reverse of that, I was massively into the R&B classics. Rihanna and Destiny’s Child. I especially loved watching the music videos on MTV; it just felt like a completely different world.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Funnily enough, it must have been Olly Murs’s album “Right Place Right Time”. I got given a radio/ CD player for one of my earlier birthdays, and since I was such an X Factor fan, my parents got me the perfect gift. Since it was the only actual CV I owned, I played it on REPEAT.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
The one that strikes me most is Loose Ends by Loyle Carner and Jorja Smith. Gets me every time, and it’s the type of honest, level songwriting I hope I can one day write like.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I have synaesthesia, so when I’m being creative, I always make a moodboard. It’s got the colour palette of the track, as well as the vibe I’m trying to create. This also then helps with how I’ll eventually perform it, and what the visuals will look like alongside the track. At the moment, I really like writing down at Bristol Harbour on the waterside. In earlier stages of new ideas, I either look up beats online just to get lyrics going against a BPM or write a melody into my laptop.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Eljé is killing it at the moment. It’s so exciting to witness her blossom since we know each other from Gloucester. I cannot get her song ‘Bout To Lose It’ out of my brain.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Little Simz. 100%.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
The authenticity. I’ve really grown into myself over the years, and I owe that completely to music. It’s made me more comfortable wearing what I want to wear, and just being open with how I present myself on a day-to-day basis. I know that it’s said a lot, but your strengths really do lie in your individuality, and I’ve finally learned to make it my biggest asset. It also makes it so much easier to relate to people when you’re coming from a place of transparency.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The significance of social media in the industry. Especially TikTok. It’s something I struggle with to be honest. It’s such a double-edged phenomenon, as it’s the easiest way to share your content with millions of people, but to do that, you need to post. Regularly. I’m still getting to grips with it all. Like, I can barely handle Instagram now I’ve gotta deal with Threads too. *Cry*
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Be consistent and be your biggest fan. Genuinely nobody can do it for you but yourself. It’s a relentless industry, and you must be adamant about asserting your place. Also, just making sure you have a good attitude and treat people with respect. Word travels fast.
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Nat Oaks' new single 'BACKSEAT DRIVER' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.