“It’s been over a month since I’ve been on stage, and over a year since I’ve been on a stage by myself, so I’m trying to figure out how to be comfortable up here.”
So began the solo performance of Nathaniel Nevver at the Mars Bar this past Friday, June 24. Nate was performing songs of the Nevvers, the band he formerly fronted which has disbanded as of late. Armed with little more than an acoustic guitar and a ball of nerves, Nate appeared anxious to hear how the night’s events would unfold.
A stage once occupied with three other players on keys, drums and bass, were replaced with equipment for the upcoming band. Nate seemed aware of all this space and hesitant on how exactly to fill it. Other Nevvers members were in the audience, but for the first time in awhile, Nate had only himself to play energy against.
Due to personal reasons, the Nevvers bid farewell in May with no plans to reunite. However, the Mars Bar commitment was made and the Nevvers decided to honor it in an unexpected fashion.
It was a great departure from the original make-up of the songs known for their sonic layers. For the first time, a bold spotlight was placed on Nate’s vocals. New life was breathed into songs like “Belle” and “Burndown” in an acoustic mode. The Nevvers as a full band were always exciting, but if the emotion hasn’t been achieved before, these songs were heartbreaking and thrilling, and hopeful and poignant.
Upon exiting the stage, Nate was no more certain of what had just happened than when he was on it. “There were certain moments in certain songs where it felt like I was doing something right.” Nate couldn’t articulate one emotion, one reaction to summate the show. Adrenaline had colored the experience in such a way that rendered adjectives useless.
Nate’s performance was well received by the full Mars Bar crowd. In a space known for noise, a noticeable hush overcame the audience. For some, the sounds evoked sentimentality of hearing these songs the same ways years ago. Others loved what they heard but longed for the Nevvers again. Others were wrapped up in this guy on stage baring a little more of him than maybe he would have chosen to, had the set-up been different.
Nate doesn’t foresee any solo performances in the future, but is currently working on new material under the name One Million Teeth. OMT has the same playfulness and dynamics in the spirit of the Nevvers, but it a beast unto itself. OMT has yet to release a record, or even to form a solid lineup, but is already receiving airplay on KEXP.
For more information on One Million Teeth including new recordings and upcoming shows, please visit One Million Teeth.
