Project Description

NATHAN CAVALERI
“Demons”
Album Review

13th August 2020

Reviewer – Jacob Morris

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With his first album in sixteen years, Nathan Cavaleri expels his inner demons and reminds the world he’s here to stay.

As a 30-year Aussie blues rock stalwart, it’s easy to tell Nathan Cavaleri’s blood runs blue like the soulful rhythm he crafts. Picking up a guitar at age three, Nathan’s extraordinary skills showed no signs of slowing down as he enjoyed his first experience playing in front of people in his hometown only three years later. By the age of ten he had gained the attention of the media and toured the country with famous Aussie musicians. By age twelve Nathan had two albums under his belt and was stunning music lovers from around the world with his impressive solos. His ability demonstrated that of a young man hungry to show the world that he’d been influenced by the best and that he would shortly be joining them as a blues rock legend. With continuous health setbacks throughout the last six years, Nathan returned to the stage in 2018. Driven by a flaming passion to express his latest project, Nathan Cavaleri’s “Demons” reminds the world he’s here to stay.

At the beginning of his first album in sixteen years, Nathan sings “I had demons sleeping in my bed, they woke up and filled my head,” while a slow acoustic set of chords allow emphasis on his words. It only takes an observation of the album cover art to understand inner demons will be a motif throughout the record. The painted distorted anguish filled facial expression represents Nathan drowning his demons and through the music he takes listeners on a personal journey of self-awareness. The album title track is a slow yet powerful opener which pulls the listener inside Nathan’s memories and thought processes. This fitting first track expresses the importance of not taking for granted and explores human fragility, an insight into the songwriter’s past that culminates with an emotionally driven release.

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It seems likely Nathan is aware of this intense opener, as he follows through with an upbeat and faster paced track that calls for a vintage blues solo. The appeal of “Castles in the Sky” is Nathan’s ability to intertwine his blues roots with contemporary pop rock. While staying relevant, Nathan never forgets the legends that influenced him to pick up a guitar in the first place. This combination of blues and modern pop rock can be further recognised during the second half of the album, though the following two pieces show Nathan in a new light by highlighting his diverse song writing. “Hug” continues the slower paced style that was demonstrated in “Demons,” with acoustic chords being joined by electronics and percussion alongside Nathan’s powerful vocal range on display. Listeners will feel the urge to join in with Nathan during the repeated chorus.

The next two tracks continue the album’s theme of dealing with inner demons. “Before You Check Out” raises the bar for emotionally driven song writing as Nathan shares an important insight into not giving up when the going gets tough. This can be interpreted as Nathan’s message to those who find themselves in a dark place or the outside influence that guided him through his own previous mental health struggles. Nathan explains, “the bulk of Demons was created during a time when I didn’t believe that I’d be mentally and physically stable enough to return to the stage,” and “Before You Check Out” is another beautifully crafted acoustic triumph. “Drifter” marks the halfway point of the album and serves as the only pure instrumental track. A slow bluesy solo connects the title of the track with how the listener feels, like drifting through a relaxing stream. Carried effortlessly until a sense of urgency begins to unfold. The build-up intensifies, and an eruption of sound seems inevitable. Though instead of a powerful release, peaceful slow acoustics indicate a return of sanity. Through “Drifter,” Nathan paints a picture of an overwhelming struggle with mental health. With its intensifying build up and its sudden switch to calmness, the instrumental captures the feeling of finally releasing inner demons before they take over completely.

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It can’t be coincidental that the second half of the album provides a more upbeat and carefree style of sound now that Nathan has released his inner demons. Listeners will definitely notice the contrast after rocking out to “Rising Sun” and “29 Gold Stars.” While its great to hear Nathan clearly having a blast jamming to more traditional sounding blues rock, it can’t help but feel like some of the urgency and raw emotion that was present on the first half of the album has been stripped down. Although “Rising Sun” is a Cold Chisel cover, its context on the album fits quite well. Nathan juxtaposes its buoyant rhythm with the track’s already established lyrics about losing a girl. A declaration of winning her back expresses a newfound confidence in Nathan. The track provides a dose of fun, but it can’t be helped wondering if another original song would have been more effective here. This thought just serves as a testament to Nathan’s song writing capabilities. “29 Gold Stars” furthermore demonstrates a veteran musician who is in control of his craft. Modernising traditional blues rock and enabling it to sound fresh, “29 Gold Stars” is an achievement for the genre and allows Nathan to deliver an effortless swagger reminiscent of classic Aussie rockers such as Michael Hutchence.

Buckle up for “Boho Limousine” and “Crush” because Nathan’s swagger is here to stay. At this point he has meshed traditional blues with contemporary pop rock so adequately that it feels like the conception of his own new genre. Its difficult not to visualise these last few tracks being performed on a stage. Especially in the case of “Boho Limousine,” with its self-assured, lively lyrics which once again deliver evocative Michael Hutchence vibes of confidence. Undoubtably there will be a few young ladies who will envision themselves accompanying Nathan taking off down the coast. With “Crush,” Nathan continues the grooves as the track immediately swings into full force with some vintage sounding blues fingerpicking. The track follows a more simplistic structure, as Nathan asks, “what am I to do about this crush I have on you?” The innocent nature of the song suggests Nathan’s inner demons are still expelled, enabling him to focus on more innate everyday concerns such as dealing with romantic feelings.

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The final track on the record is quite different to those proceeding it. “Chucky” takes its time having a blast before Nathan’s vocals chime in. As a final tribute to the blues legends that influenced him, the track’s intro allows Nathan to flaunt an impressive blues riff. When Nathan’s harsh rhythmically spoken voice makes its presence, it’s clear he’s having a whole lot of fun with this one. As he should, he’s been through a lot since “Demons.” Lyrically, the song does not contain any serious elements. It’s an amusingly fun scenario of a scared Nathan dealing with Chucky the killer doll hiding under his bed. Without running the risk of sounding too analytical, the closure could represent Nathan’s expelled inner demons having manifested into a physical and literal shape, being the famous horror icon Chucky. Or it could just be an entertaining way to close the album. What doesn’t need interpretation is the obvious talent of this soulful Aussie musician as he closes an impressive album leaving listeners hungry for the next chapter.

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Follow NATHAN CAVALERI
Website – Facebook – Instagram

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DEMONS
NATIONAL TOUR

Nathan and his team are working with all venues in line with government regulations in each state and territory, and will proceed only in accordance with safe social distancing and COVID-19 safety procedures on a show by show basis.

FRI 2 OCT
THE RHYTHM HUT, GOSFORD, NSW
ALL AGES – UNDER 18’s MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY PARENT/GUARDIAN
Tickets | 02 4322 5971| Venue Outlet

SAT 3 OCT
STAG & HUNTER, NEWCASTLE, NSW
18+
Tickets | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets

FRI 9 OCT
BRASS MONKEY, CRONULLA, NSW
18+
Tickets

FRI 16 OCT
THE PEPPER TREE, ALDINGA, SA
18+
Tickets | 0400 144 467 | All Trybooking Outlets

SAT 17 OCT
THE WHEATSHEAF HOTEL, ADELAIDE, SA
18+
Tickets on-sale soon

FRI 30 OCT
CAMELOT LOUNGE, SYDNEY, NSW
ALL AGES – UNDER 18’s MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY PARENT/GUARDIAN
Tickets | 02 9550 3777 | Venue Outlet

SAT 31 OCT
SMITHS ALTERNATIVE, CANBERRA, ACT
ALL AGES – UNDER 18’s MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY PARENT/GUARDIAN
Tickets on-sale soon

SUN 1 NOV
HERITAGE HOTEL, BULLI, NSW
18+
Tickets

THU 12 NOV
SOOKI LOUNGE, BELGRAVE VIC
18+
Tickets | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets

FR 13 NOV
THE CATFISH, FITZROY, VIC
18+
Tickets | 0426 892 044 | All Trybooking Outlets

SAT 14 NOV
LIVE AT THE BUNDY, BUNDALAGUAH, VIC
ALL AGES – UNDER 18’s MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY PARENT/GUARDIAN
Tickets | 0429 352 373 | All Trybooking Outlets

FRI 27 NOV
THE BAROQUE ROOM, KATOOMBA, NSW
18+
Tickets | 0426 892 044 | All Trybooking Outlets

SAT 3 APR, 2021
BLUESFEST, NSW
AA
Tickets

SUN 4 APR, 2021
BLUESFEST, NSW
AA
Tickets

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AMNPLIFY – DB