A Quick Q&A with Our Friend Nathaniel Russell

November 14, 2023 - By Nootropic

Earlier this fall we released a standalone track called “Bloodsucker” from the wildly talented artist and longtime friend of the label Nathaniel Russell. We have loved Nat’s posters and other illustrations for a long time, and are honored to be working with him on the music side now. “Bloodsucker” is just a lil’ peek of what’s to come, the first dispatch from his time spent working in the studio, Betty‘s, with Amelia Meath producing. More on that later! In the meantime, we spent a few catching up with Nat on a crisp autumnal morning this past October – read below to get to know him a little better in this dispatch from his Indiana art studio:

Psychic Hotline: Before we get into this handful of questions, could I ask you to set the scene for where you’re answering from? How’s the day been going so far? What time is it? All that good stuff

Nathaniel Russell: My day so far has been great. It is a Monday, 9am. I have successfully made breakfast for my kids and dropped them off at school. I just made it to my art studio which is a small storefront in Indianapolis and I am now sipping on some mid coffee and feeling that winter sun come in through the window curtains. I am thinking about these questions while I wait for the heater to warm up the room.

PH: I’d love to know a little bit about “Bloodsucker” directly from you – what’s your favorite thing about the finished song?

NR: My favorite thing about the song is that it feels a little like a secret being whispered. Like something of which you are reminding yourself. I love hearing all the details and textures: the wood, chimes, the broom bristles and the moments of voices. It makes me feel like I’m creeping through the underbrush. 

PH: We’re a North Carolina label and I know you’ve recently spent a bit of time out here at Betty’s 😉 Could you tell me the first three words that come to mind when you think about your time in NC?

NR: All of my trips to Durham have involved visiting or working with Amelia so all my words are connected to our time together: eating, talking, laughing. Everyone that I have met in Durham has been through Betty’s and we were always eating snacks, talking about making art and music and cracking up over silly things. All my feelings about Durham and Betty’s are warm and joyful. 

PH: Have you seen any good fliers in the wild lately?

NR: Most of what I am seeing these days is really cool lettering for garage and yard sales. People get so wild with the bubble lettering and ways to draw certain letters. I love handwriting so I am all over it, though, sadly, garage sale season is coming quickly to an end. 

PH: By the time folks read this we’ll be a bit past the Halloween holiday, but since you’re a prolific visual artist and world-builder, I’m curious what your approach to Halloween decor generally is. Do you like the classic ghost/Frankenstein motifs? Do you make stuff?

NR: My Halloween approach is very simple and minimal. I don’t get too into holidays in general, but this is a fun and low stress one. I try to help and support whatever it is my kids want to do and usually throw together a last minute costume for myself when the spirit gets its hold on me. Past costumes have been: Cool Dad and Jazz Dad 

PH: What are you listening to right now?

NR: Music I am listening to:

Ruth Garbus: Alive People. I have loved Ruth’s music for a long time, since I bought a cd-r from her at a Feathers show back in Oakland. This new record is just so good and I keep discovering new parts of it I like every time I listen to it. The fact that it was recorded in front of an audience is so cool. 

Nelson Angel e Joyce: s/t. This is from 1972 and I think it’s one of the most beautiful records I have ever heard. I never get tired of it. I cannot speak Portuguese at all and it doesn’t seem to matter because it is all just so blissful and perfect. When this record comes back into my rotation it’s always a reminder of how magical music is. 

The Velvet Underground: The Quine Tapes. I put this on when I’m working in the studio because it is such a good catalyst for getting into the zone in a non-frantic way. It is so heavy but so gentle. And I love that it was all recorded by a fan (Robert Quine) on his own tape recorder he snuck into the shows just so he could listen to them at home. There is a lot of love in this. This is what I am listening to as I type this.