| Performer / Band Name |
Natalie Wattré
Acoustic Guitar, Vocals |
| Original / Cover Material |
100% Original Material |
| Musical Influences |
Ani Difranco, Annie Lennox, Aretha Franklin, Brand New Heavies, Carol King, Cocteau Twins, Concrete Blonde, Counting Crows, Dave Matthews Band, David Bowie, David Gray, Dizzie Gillespie, Elvis Costello, Everything But The Girl, Fiona Apple, Gavin DeGraw, James Brown, John Mayer, Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush, Live, Maria McKee, Marvin Gaye, Miles Davis, Natalie Merchant, Otis Redding, Parliment, Paul Weller, Pearl Jam, Peter Gabriel, Sarah McLachlan, Seal, Sinead O'Connor, Tracy Chapman, and many others. |
| History of Performer / Band |
At the age of three Natalie told her parents that she had decided she was going to be a singer, a goal which she held onto steadfastly as she grew up. By the age of four Natalie was writing her own simple melodies and lyrics.
By her teens, Natalie was obsessed with music, collecting albums and going to concerts as often as possible. She continued writing melodies and lyrics. Though she had no formal training, her vocal style grew by studying all types of singers, both male and female, capturing their emotion and imitating their specific tone. These artists became her personal tutors, as she developed her own voice and originality. In her mid-teens Natalie began playing and writing songs with other musicians. To increase her ability to express herself musically and assist in songwriting, she taught herself to play the guitar.
In 1989 Natalie was instrumental in forming the Los Angeles-based band The Extinct. Over a seven-and-a-half year run, the Extinct created an impact on the music industry, grew a local fan base of over 700, released an Independent album, and toured the U.S. and Canada with Natalie fronting the band as one of it?s two primary singer/songwriters.
In early 1997 Natalie decided that it was time to explore her own musical universe and left the Extinct. Backed by seasoned musicians, Ric Kavin on drums and Steven Thomas on bass, she formed the Natalie Wattré Band where her songwriting talent and her wide range of vocal styles, which vary from throaty and harsh to soft and soothing, were showcased. Natalies songwriting style ranges from folk to alternative, with an intense emotional impact that comes straight from the heart.
Finally, in early 2000, Natalie decided that she no longer wanted to follow the path of having a big corporate record company decide what her fate may be and that she would take her future in to her own hands and create music the way she intended it to sound. No gimmicks, no rock star attitudes just good music. Thus came the inception of Swirly Girl Records and the release & national promotional campaign of the debut album Break from the Natalie Wattré Band.
Since its release Break has received critical acclaim , airplay on over 150 College radio stations nationally, and a handful of Commercial radio stations as well. She has toured nationally both with a band and as a solo artist. Natalies efforts are spreading rapidly. So jump on the little Indie band wagon that could. Enjoy! |
| Press Reviews / Credits |
"Once in a great while, an indie LP comes along and leaves us astonished at it's musical beauty and originality, much like The Replacements did with "let It Be." Natalie Wattré Band's "Break" is such a masterpiece."—NeoHippy.net
"Natalie Wattré has got to be one of the most interesting and amazing vocalists that I've heard. Her raspy voice just pours on the passion and soul ... I can't think of a better album that tears at the heart than this one."—Michael Allison, TheGlobalMuse.com
"Boy can Natalie belt'em out! She's got the best of Melissa Etheridge, Indigo Girls and Grace Slick..."—Front Ranger |
| Albums / Where Available |
Break, 2000
Available from CDBaby.com |
| Contact |
Natalie Wattré
c/o Swirly Girl Records
(818) 241-9288
P.O. Box 9323
Glendale, Ca 91226
natalie@nataliewattre.com
|
= Music samples available for download