Inspired #249 - Nate Rich X
New York based queer indie pop artist Nate Rich X has just released his Spring love song ‘Lilac Breeze’ - a sensual bop about the excitement of falling for a spring crush. He took a moment to talk to us about the inspirations behind his music.
Who are your top three musical inspirations?
Kim Petras. She’s called herself a student of pop and it shows in her brilliant writing. She’s able to reference so many genres and eras while maintaining a signature sound, and her melodies are pure ear candy.
Robyn. When I first listened to Body Talk in college, I was blown away by the contrast between the groovy beats and her heart-wrenching lyrics. It was the first time I’d heard dance pop have such an emotional impact.
Charli XCX. She’s experimental, fearless, and endlessly collaborative. She pushes her sound to the limit and creates community by sharing her platform with other artists.
Is there a certain film that inspires you?
Moulin Rouge immediately comes to mind because I used to watch it once a week in high school. The aesthetics and energy are like no other film. It manages to be ridiculously over-dramatic and beautifully sincere at once, which I think is often a quality of my favorite pop music.
What city do you find the most inspiring?
New York City has been my home and source of inspiration for years, but I’ve been feeling this internal pull to Los Angeles lately. I haven’t ever lived there, so I have this beautiful idealized version in my head that I’m sure will crash and burn if I actually end up there. But for now, it’s a romanticized sunny paradise.
Who is the most inspiring person to you?
I’m so inspired by Joni Mitchell. Obviously we make quite different types of music, but I grew up on her songs. Her lyrics are untouchable. They’re pure poetry. And she paints, too— an artist through and through. I’m often inspired by artists who work in multiple mediums, like Janelle Monae or Olly Alexander who make music and also act or Michaela Coel and Phoebe Waller-Bridge who both are writers and performers.
What were your inspirations when writing your new track?
I started writing it in the spring last year when everyone was confined to their homes and taking a walk outside was basically my only escape. It was that magical time of year when everything was blooming, and the lyrics started coming to me as I walked through the greenway on the West side of NYC. I was not in love at the time, but the weather was so romantic that I started dreaming up a spring crush.
How would you like to inspire people?
As a queer artist, I really want LGBTQ+ listeners to feel seen when they play my songs. But beyond that, I truly just want to inspire people to have fun. I love listening to music that lets me forget my problems, and I hope my music allows listeners to briefly escape into a pop fantasy.