Posted on April 23, 2009 - by Mark Zonda

Sound of Natureboy

One time a friend of mine came to visti from Japan. Her name was Yukari. It happened that we were at Milan, at Wildheart’s quarters. He started to play piano. Wildheart has always this kind of attitude. He starts with a poppy catchy melody, then everything vanish in some complicated and fluid jazz. After he finished playing Yukari said: “Your music is like water”. Now. Back to April 2009. I was lucky enough to meet via internet the artist behind the project Natureboy. Her music it has nothing to do with abstract sounds, improvvisations and piano solos, but listening to the wonder of her soft songs living the magic spell of her deep enchanting voice, I turn to Yukari’s words and I say:“Her music is like water”. Sara Kermanshahi was kind enough to accept this interview.

Mark Zonda: How do you decided that it was time for a musical project? Introduce our readers to Natureboy

Sara:  I was in this band called house on a hill for about 6 years with Cedar Apffel who produced the Natureboy record. Cedar and I actually dated during most of the bands existence which is insane when I think about it now. We are originally from Seattle and moved to NY a couple years ago. House on a hill played out quite a bit in NY for a year or so before we decided it wasn’t what we wanted to do anymore, weren’t excited about it and we had our own side projects (Masterface for Cedar and Natureboy for me) that we were doing anyway, so when house on a hill broke up, Cedar and I focused on the Natureboy record.

Mark Zonda: Which artists inspired you the most to finding your voice?

Sara: Well here comes the laundry list: Bob Dylan is a major one, Radiohead, Cat Power, Elliot Smith, Leonard Cohen, Wilco, Broken Social Scene, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, John Frusciante, Jason Molina, Nick Drake, Nico, PJ Harvey, Karen O, John Lennon, the list could go on and on. I think it took years to develop what I feel like is my own singing style, but I also just kind of sing like that.

Mark Zonda: Bob Dylan? Unbelievable! Which Dylan song would you pick to cover?

Sara: I actually do a couple of covers already. “It takes A lot to laugh, It takes a train to cry” and “To Ramona” I also do “I’ll Keep it with Mine” but I do Nico’s version. I used to know a lot more. I went to this Alternative high school in Seattle called Nova where we had a group of kids, me included, that were just obsessed with him, so much so that we would have Bob Dylan Cover nights where we would all do covers in the hallway, teachers would play too. It was really fun. I should add that Nova was the kind of school where they had couches instead of desks, they didn’t take attendance and most everyone smoked weed. It was the hippy school.

Mark Zonda: Do you write your own songs? If so, how “Curses Fired” was born?

Sara: Yes all the songs are originals. I like doing covers as well, mostly live though. Curses Fired was a song I had been playing around with for a few years, even while still in Seattle. It was born out of inspiration for something really melodic and pretty that I must have heard from another artist. My songs are usually inspired and come about when I hear an amazing song or band that blows my mind. It makes me want to write something just as good and conjure up the same feelings I had when I first heard it. Those specific lyrics are based on the dysfunctions of my relationship at the time. Can’t live with you, cant live without you type things. The never ending mindfuck that you go through when you love someone. etc..etc..

Mark Zonda: Which artist is blowing your mind right now?

Sara: I really like the new Animal Collective record. They seem to just be getting better and better, which is refreshing. Most bands either stay on the same level or just get worse. Bon Iver has beautiful songs and I really like how he produced his record. But I have to say right now that Masterface is where its at. They are coming out with a record soon and it is seriously impressive and new and out there. And I’m not just saying that cause I know the guys! I genuinely love what they are doing.

Mark Zonda: What is like trying to get heard in Brooklyn? Which are your  favorite venue and what’s the musical scene like in there?

Sara: I think for a band like house on a hill it was a bit easier to get gigs just cause it was based around a “rock” show, but with Natureboy its better to play with a lineup that would be more fitting to the music. I’m just starting to book gigs now for NB. Loft shows are cool. I’m excited to play at the Eastern District in June just cause i like that space and location. I really like Zebulon but don’t have a show booked there as of yet. There are a lot of different little scenes here.

I live in Bushwick and there’s always a party or a loft show going on somewhere and its all DIY which i actually really like cause its more of friends helping friends put on a good show and most of my friends are in bands so it works well.

Mark Zonda: Stadium or club. Which of the two do you prefer?

Sara: I think club, just cause I’ve never played a stadium before, not sure what its like. A smaller venue where the setting is more intimate is i guess more appropriate for the songs on this record right now. But to play to a massive audience says that a lot of people dig your music, which is probably an amazing feeling to have when you are up there on stage.

Mark Zonda: If you were supposed to be in a movie soundtrack, which kind of music would you like to write?

Sara: I would love to do a soundtrack for a film. Not just songs but all the ambient sounds and loops and background music as well. I’d want it to be something that my music fit well with. A tearjerker?!! An existential Kafkaesque or Kaufmanesque indie flick?!! I love it when a song is placed so perfectly in a film, when you know there’s a scene that wouldn’t have been nearly as effective had it not been for that one song. Like in the Royal Tenenbaums where she’s getting off the bus and “These Days” plays by Nico. Or it doesn’t even need to be what you would expect, like I love the scene in Mean Streets by Scorsese where they have that pool bar fight and “Please Mr. Postman” is playing in the background by the Marvellettes and its just so
surreal and intense. One of my favorite films especially cause the soundtrack is so good.

Mark Zonda: “The Royal Tennenbaums” is one of my favourite film of… ever! The “Hey Jude” introduction from Mark Mothersbrough is absoutely brilliant! I think it fits with John Lennon opinion that that songs
got everything on it. “Hey Jude” could be a piece of jazz, classical music, pop… What makes a song s thing out of time?

Sara: I think what makes a song a classic or timeless is not only does it have to be really really good but that it has a universal feeling and sound that most people can relate to and sing along to. It also needs worldwide exposure and the Beatles are as exposed as you can get. Its not necessarily a rare thing. There are thousands of songs that have held up against time. And also that it can sound good if played in any genre like you said.

Mark Zonda: Thanks a lot Sara. It was nice talking to you. Good luck with your project.

Natureboy – “Heart of Fool”

Waiting for our sight:

• What Will Replace MTV? (15)
• Our last year of independent? (7)
• Indie O’Clock: Tiny Tide and Nothing Meets All (7)
• Funny Little Bunny (6)
• Christmas Indie Ep from Japan (6)