Nathan Hooper
is an Alabama-based singer, songwriter, music composer and multi-instrumentalist performer. He has been a Play It Back recording artist with Teen Cancer America since 2020. Since that time, he has written, recorded, and assisted in the final production of several recording projects. This CD represents the completion of ten individual recordings initiated by Nathan and undertaken with the support and assistance of L.A.-based Play it Back producer, Kenli Mattus.
There are a variety of inspirational sparks that helped shape each of the songs featured on this recording. However, the main creative item that guided these tracks was the opportunity to let Nathan tell his own unique story—while at the same time progressing through four-years of active treatment for leukemia. We are pleased to share the news with listeners that Nathan has successfully completed his entire course of treatment and is moving on with things. This is evidenced by the release of his very first fully produced full-length recording.
The information shared on these supporting pages offers a bit more insight into the creative elements that helped transform Nathan’s ideas into music.
Enjoy!
Track #1 - Dollar Store Kid
This was the very first song Nathan wrote and recorded as a Play it Back artist. The song’s melody and chord progression kept coming back to him during home studio practice time. When he shared the chord progression with Kenli during an early online session, they both started working on it more purposefully. Nathan developed the supporting lyrics, and the song when into active production over the next few weeks.
Track #2 - Low Motivation
Nathan shares that this particular song, Low Motivation, was written in 2020. It also was during the same time the public had to endure the heavy lock-down mode caused by Covid restrictions. He reflects on these dynamics—then transferred them into song lyrics!
The photo for this track was taken on-board the U.S.S. Alabama, a floating naval museum. The steel compartment and hatch are emblematic of the added constraints the pandemic generated.
Track #3 - Big Worm
This song was written in Birmingham during an extended hospital stay. Both Nathan and his mother had to endure a severe weather alert and rode out a tornado warning inside their hotel room. The only TV content that didn’t feature break-in weather alerts was a show on paranormal activities. The lyrics share the essence of the show’s dialog and blend perfectly with some melodic phrasing Nathan had already written.
Track #4 - DMV Song
Due to ongoing medical treatment, Nathan had to wait until he was 17 to actually secure his personal driver’s license. This song shares the eventual happiness he experienced once he finally obtained it – and got to enjoy the resulting independence it offered.
Track #5 - Caramel
This track was written by Nathan and produced by NYC’s Matty Amendola. Matty is a successful commercial producer who has placed his own music in high-profile events such as the 2013 NFL Superbowl. URL link: https://www.mattyamendola.com/
Nathan’s Nashville-based guitar instructor, Mike Bauer, heard an early version of this track and commented that Nathan delivers the spoken parts of this song perfectly! URL link: https://www.nashvilleguitaracademy.com/directorstaff
The photo used for this single was taken inside the world-famous Café Du Monde in New Orleans. It features Nathan enjoying a nice hot beverage inside this famous tourist spot. URL link: https://shop.cafedumonde.com/
Track #6 - A Minor Diddy
This instrumental track was written and performed by Nathan. This track was produced and features a prominent piano accompaniment by Grammy-award winning producer, Matt Rollings (…Nothing minor about THAT)! Matt is best known for playing the piano in Lyle Lovett’s Large Band. But in 2016, Matt produced Willie Nelson’s studio album, Summertime. This went on to win the Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album in 2017. URL: https://www.grammy.com/artists/matt-rollings/20248
Image attribution: https://mattrollings.com
Track #7 - Train Song
The initial inspiration for this track came from a friend in junior-high school. This friend would often show up for the morning jazz band class playing various train videos on youtube every morning. This spurred a creative song idea about train enthusiasts and the mindset and lifestyle they inhabit. This track was also one of the early recordings Nathan worked on. This provided him with one of the first opportunities to practice recording tracks in his own home studio.
Track #8 - Induction Therapy Blues
Written in 2021 during an emergency hospital stay in Birmingham, this song recounts the first-hand events Nathan experienced as a result of his diagnosis and subsequent medical treatment. Induction Therapy was the specific course of treatment prescribed by his medical team. These long hospital stays often provided Nathan with ample time to develop supporting lyrical content for musical chord progressions he previously wrote. This is a perfect example of how his creative process worked to develop a finished song.
Track #9 - Enemies
This was one of the last recorded tracks developed for the album. It features full production and mastering treatment by Play it Back’s in-house producer, Kenli Mattus, with Nathan playing all instrumental tracks and vocals.
Track #10 - Tropical Love Song
The album ends with Nathan’s last track, Tropical Love Song. This track is supported by Grammy-award winning drummer, Dan Konopka, from the band Ok Go. In 2007, his band won the Grammy for Best Music Video for their music video “Here It Goes Again” URL: https://vimeo.com/8267567
