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Nat Baldwin, Musician
By
Jen Carlson
Published Mar 10, 2008
Modified Mar 10, 2008
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Mar 10, 2008
Modified Mar 10, 2008
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New Hampshire native Nat Baldwin has some serious ties to Brooklyn's music scene, even though he still lives in his home state. His latest album, Most Valuable Player, is due out in April and was recorded in (Dirty Projector) Dave Longstreth's living room (Baldwin used to be the band's bassist). Longstreth also plays guitar on the album, which was produced/engineered by Grizzly Bear's Chris Taylor.
Baldwin reached the stage after taking a pass on the court; he received a scholarship for basketball, which he forewent to study jazz under Anthony Braxton (Tyondai, of Battles, father). This Thursday Baldwin plays at Union Pool, and he'll return to Brooklyn on the 26th to play Barbes.
You live in NH now, were you living in NYC when you were in the Dirty Projectors? I was still technically living in NH, but I was mostly on tour at the time, either with the Projectors or my own music. Before a big tour with DP's I would stay in NYC for a few weeks while we prepared. If I had a month or two in between tours, which was rare, I would head home to NH.
How would you say the two music scenes differ? NYC has more good music. NH has less bad music.
You passed up a basketball scholarship to study jazz under Anthony Braxton, was that a hard decision to make? What was the experience with Braxton like? When I decided to give up basketball in order to pursue music, it was a very hard decision in a lot of ways. I spent so much time working at the game of basketball, and it wouldn't have been long before my hard work would've been rewarded. So it was strange timing. At times I still wonder what would've happened. but most likely, I would've played in college and that's it. I feel lucky now to have found something I can do for the rest of my life.
I didn't know about Braxton until a few years after i began studying music. The decision wasn't as simple as, Braxton vs. basketball. I wasn't shooting 500 jumpers a day while thinking about 'ghost trance'. I became aware of him over time, as I gravitated towards more experimental music. He is still someone i have great admiration for, and am so grateful to have spent time with him while I did. He has carved his own path in music unlike anyone i have ever seen. He is a genius. My guess is, he's not much of a basketball player though. I imagine him having a very unorthodox style on the court.
Is the Most Valuable Player album title a nod to your basketball days? When I was a junior in high school, my team won the New England championship. We were losing the whole game, but with only a few minutes left, I scored 10 or so points in a row to give us the lead and then the victory. I was awarded the MVP trophy, which is what you see on the cover of the album. I think it is my favorite moment of my life, and though I wouldn't have known at the time, turned out to be my greatest single achievement as a player. It was particularly remarkable too, because one of my teammates is 7 feet tall and in the NBA now. I actually just saw him play the Celtics a few months ago and gave him a copy of the new album. He called me yesterday to tell me that the music was good but he hates the singer.
Have you collaborated with Braxton, or his son Tyondai (Battles), since? No. I know Tyondai, but I've never played music with him. Always been a huge fan though.
What is your songwriting process? I make terrible music all day for hours, and then finally stumble upon something worthwhile in about five minutes or so. I work with the potential material and try to develop it. A few revision processes later and hopefully it's ready for people to hear.
You recorded your latest album with Chris Taylor (Grizzly Bear) in Dave Longstreth's (Dirty Projectors) living room. What was that process like? We worked like crazy on the Dirty Projector's album, "Rise Above". When it was basically done, Chris decided to leave all his equipment up for an extra week, and record "Most Valuable Player". The arrangements came out of the live bands I had gotten together through that past year. Sometimes they were combined, and other times the various lineups were isolated. Everyone knew the songs inside out by that time, so the actual recording took no time at all. A few 15-hour sessions in a row and we were done. Chris is a master and the nicest guy in the world. I admire him a lot and learned so much from working with him.
How did you start playing upright bass? How did you come to play that and sing at the same time? The bass was the first instrument I was attracted to. My high school had one, and I started playing my senior year. The first time i ever touched one, I played so much that I got the worst blisters on my two fingers and couldn't play for two weeks. Luckily they turned to callouses after that. Now i almost exclusively play with a bow, so I don't have to worry about that anymore. I started singing with the bass one night a few years ago in my parents basement. I was sad and it felt good.
Please share your strangest "only in New York" story. One night after recording all day with Chris during the MVP session, I walked to the corner store and was approached by a cracked-out hooker. She followed me back to the apartment, and I was in a great mood and made the mistake of being a little too friendly during our conversation. I was just trying to be nice, oblivious that she was probably a little less trustworthy than people I'm used to in New Hampshire, not to mention potentially dangerous. To make a long story short, as I was about to walk up the steps of Dave's place after declining her advances, she grabbed me and forcefully tried to kiss me as I pulled away. At the same time, she reached in my pocket and stole a $20 bill out of my wallet. I thought it was amazing that she just took the $20, and not my wallet. What a pro! I guess the situation could have been much worse. Hopefully whatever she did with my $20, it made her happy, even just for a moment.
Which New Yorker do you most admire? Lloyd "Sweet Pea" Daniels
What's your current soundtrack? I've been listening a few times a day to "The Ivori Palms" by Peter and the Wolf, from Austin, TX. In the car I only have cassettes. I have finally moved on from George Michael's "Faith", to Madonna's "Immaculate Collection". Mostly just the song "Cherish" on repeat.
Best venue to play/see music? Lately, i've been loving The Space Gallery in Portland, ME
Any thoughts on the Knicks? The Knicks are embarrassing. The Celtics are unstoppable.
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Nat Baldwin
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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