Nate Porter is a Singer/Songwriter, Poet, Novelist, Recording Artist, Music Producer, Event Organizer, Professional Skateboarder and all around ‘Creative Entity' at large. As the self proclaimed, ‘Resident of the Road’, it's hard to say just where he is coming from or rather, where he is going. To know the story of Porter, look to the lines upon the page and the lyrics of his songs.
In the words of fellow songwriter, Valentino DeMartini (Caravan 222)
Tripping and trekking all across the modern landscape, with words of authentic poetry blasting out of his being—to know Nate Porter is to know his craft. Living, breathing, bleeding, drinking, and dreaming words. He is astute in the ancient philosophy that one must live as Art to be an Artist.
You can hear it in his writing, both novel and song. This man must be from another time! From classics you wish you’d heard before, to far-out ballads you never saw coming. Some folks have a way with words, and some folks get away with words—Nate does both. If we had no music to accompany the lines of Porter, we’d have an intriguing story to read instead. Dylan-esque, Kerouac-like, 'Janky-Smooth' without a doubt.
If this is your first trip into the world of Porter, I’d recommend Arrows in the Sky. This album captures the essence of Nate’s songwriting: a strange and hypnotizing dynamic of powerful, soul-drenched ballads and ’70s style folk-rock anthems.
Then, to really grasp the prolific recording career already established by this crazy diamond, dive into Last of the Classics. The title speaks volumes. Is this the final era of the traveling gypsy-poet wanderer? Operating on the folkier side of the highway, it invites you to close your eyes and transport yourself directly into the room where Porter sings Songbird in a Squeeze. True artistry.
Finally, once you’re equipped and prepared, let’s go Deep Sea Fishing—the album where Chaos and Magic live together in harmony. Recorded on the infamous Tascam 388 tape machine by a cast of castaway pirates in the psychedelic streets of San Francisco, this record captures a special moment frozen in time.
Other works like Estranged Angel Highway set the horizon for the Poet's voice, while Yesterday, on the enchanted highway..(the actual title is much longer) gives the listener a raw, garage, stripped-down version of Porter. Movie Begins stands out as an absolute masterpiece of vulnerable reflection.
His latest singles, I-5 Cowgirl and Long Winded Jim, are polished, fun, and particularly catchy. They find Porter reunited with Caravan 222, his old troupe of cosmic brothers whom he helped form in 2017 during an artist residency in Chile. The old spark between the musicians is effortlessly charismatic and intimately kismet.
There’s more in the catalogue, and there’s always more on the way from this wordsmith. When listening to Nate Porter, you may catch yourself asking, “What year is it?”
—Valentino 222
photos by: Nikki Pratchios