ISRAEL NASH
Genre: Desert Folklore
Band: Israel Nash, Eric Swanson. Joey McClellan, Aaron McClellan and Josh Fleischmann
Based: Dripping Springs, Texas, USA
Discography (Albums); New York Town (2009), Barn Doors & Concrete Floors (2011), Work Class Hero and other Favourites (2011) and River Plans (2013)
Record label: Loose / Thirty Tigers
Website: None
For our next showcase artist we head Stateside and travel to his brilliantly name home town Dripping Springs, Texas. This very good American singer-songwriter and guitarist Israel Nash is originally from Missouri, but moved to New York City in 2006. He frequently performed in clubs on the Lower East Side such as The Living Room and Rockwood Music Hall. In 2009, he independently released his debut solo album, 'New York Town' which was recorded at The Magic Shop in New York's Soho neighbourhood. New York Town was eventually picked up by Dutch label Continental Records Services in Europe and the UK.
His sophomore album, Barn Doors and Concrete Floors was released on March 29, 2011. The album was recorded during the summer of 2010 on a small farm located in the Catskill Mountains in upstate New York. Israelrecruited Sonic Youth's Steve Shelley to co-produce the album play drums on all the tracks. Ted Young engineered the album. For this album, Nashdrew from his circle of friends to form his backing band including Joey McClellan (Midlake, The Fieros) on lead guitar, Aaron McClellan (The Fieros) on bass guitar, and Eric Swanson on bass, mandolin, and banjo. Released by Continental Record Services, the album garnered further attention in Europe and the UK and received positive reviews in publications like The Independent. Barn Doors and Concrete Floors was also chosen as the top album of 2011 by the Euro Americana Charts. Extensive touring in Europe in support of Barn Doors helped Israel gain greater exposure.
In late 2011, Israel left New York City and now resides in Dripping Springs, Texas. His third record, 'Israel Nash's Rain Plans', was recorded in the summer of 2012. Rain Plans was produced by Israel and again engineered by Ted Young. The album was tracked on a Studer 16-track 2" analog tape machine intentionally avoiding the use of modern digital recording technology. His house outside of Dripping Spring served as the studio and residence for the band during the recording session. The band consisted of Israel's touring line-up from the Barn Doors album cycle, including drummer Josh Fleischmann, Joey and Aaron McClellan on guitar and bass (respectively), and Eric Swanson on Pedal Steel. Released by the London label Loose Music on September 30, 2013, the album received generally positive reviews from the European press.