Artist of the Month: Israel Nash

**KUTX Artist of the Month**

 

Every month we turn the spotlight on a new release from a Texas artist with a series of weekly features that give you a sneak peek at the new music and some insight into the artist behind it.

For September we head west of Austin to the town of Dripping Springs to meet new resident Israel Nash and his album Israel Nash’s Rain Plans. This is Nash’s third album and is a significant departure from his previous work with serious psychedelic undertones creeping in on his Americana roots. A self-confessed student of 70s folk rock, Nash pulls together the best elements of the decade with songs that blend Neil Young’s guitar with Crosby, Stills, & Nash harmonies.

Check back here throughout the month of September for new features on Israel Nash and his new album Israel Nash’s Rain Plans.

 

Week 1 – Song of the Day

It has holy connotations here in Austin, but the phrase “outlaw country” was invented by a Nashville record executive. “Cosmic country” is a bigger lasso that ropes in a wide range of stylistic savants: Gram Parsons, Willie Nelson, even Canadian Neil Young, all with their boots on the ground but their gaze turned skyward. From Missouri to New York and now Dripping Springs, Israel Nash has chased this particular stardust, and he’s finally found it with his third album, Israel Nash’s Rain Plans. The record crackles with energy, thanks to Nash’s fantastic band and the analog recording. On “Through The Door,” the moaning harmonies and pedal steel fit perfectly with Nash’s weathered voice. The song looks both inward and outward — it’s widescreen Americana at its finest.

Week 2 – Live in KUTX Studio 1A

Israel Nash stopped by our Studio 1A last month hot on the heels of his new release Rain Plans. While here he treated us to an extended set of music from the new album and definitely reinforced our decision to make him our Artist of the Month. His fairly recent move to Central Texas seems to have already made a significant impression on his music with his songs stretching out into endless horizons and frequent references to his Hill Country surroundings. Pair the dramatic scenery with the best of 70s rock and you have a seriously heady mixture. So dive in and enjoy Israel Nash caught live in KUTX Studio 1A.

Week 3 – My KUTX

My KUTX allows artists to share their musical influences by playing you some of their favorite songs. You can hear Israel Nash spin his picks at 6pm on Saturday, September 20th.

Israel’s List:

1. Gene Clark – Silver Raven [No Other, 1974]
2. The Byrds – The Christian Life [Sweetheart of the Rodeo, 1968]
3. CSN – Helplessly Hoping [CSN, 1969]
4. CSNY – Almost Cut My Hair [Deja Vu, 1970]
5. Rolling Stones – Wild Horses [Sticky Fingers, 1971]
6. Velvet Underground – Stephanie Says [Peel Slowly and See]
7. Dennis Wilson – Time [Pacific Ocean Blue, 1977]
8. Pink Floyd – Time [The Dark Side of the Moon, 1973]
9. Phosphorescent – The Mermaid Parade [Here’s to Taking it Easy, 2010]
10. The Pretty Things – Cries from the Midnight Circus [Parachute, 1970]
11. Bill Callahan – Eid Ma Clack Shaw [Sometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle, 2010]
12. Warren Zevon – Carmelita Demo Version [1975]
13. Van Morrison – Sweet Thing [Astral Weeks, 1966]

Week 4 – New Video from Israel Nash

 
 

Interview with Israel Nash

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