Nathan Smerage’s Solo EP

Posted by Franco Romero in Music

Nathan Smerage plays one of his acoustic songs in the Fogelson Library. Photo by Jason Stilgebouer.

Some may know him as the former guitarist of the rock band Venus and The Lion, but few have heard Nathan Smerage’s solo music. In fact, until fairly recently, he himself was not sure what releasing his solo music would mean. While writing and recording the songs for his upcoming EP Rain Check, Smerage was surprised to find that his initial vision for the collection was not at all like what he would end up producing. In fact, he ended up tossing out seven of the eight songs he originally brought forth to be recorded. However, he feels that approaching the EP as a solo artist was important in terms of the its growth.

“It can be tough when you’re in a band because you have to write for drums, vocals, bass, guitar,” Smerage said. “I’ve done that for such a long time that it’s kind of, like, after a while, it gets pretty old. I wanted to try new things. Let’s have a violin, or a vibraphone in there. Just a lot of experimenting with layering and studio work.”

Rain Check is an instrumental EP. Smerage originally envisioned it infused with electronic influences but, after beginning to record it, he felt that the heart of the EP was rooted in the acoustic guitar. There are also elements of banjo and fiddle on Rain Check, which are due to Smerage’s interest in bluegrass music.

“I like to describe the EP as something you would listen to by yourself at three in the morning when you can’t sleep, or when you’re having a drive by yourself,” Smerage said. “It’s not something you would play with your friends at a party. It’s not that kind of music.”

Smerage went on to explain that although he tries not to get too conceptual, associations with the term ‘rain check’ are definitely present in these songs. He sees it as a phrase that suggests a promise of something to come, the idea that something will happen eventually, but not right now. Smerage adds that he is aware of the other element of the phrase which is, “it’s always that flake that says it to you. We might never do this.”

Smerage sees his EP as a step forward for himself musically and does not believe that this is the kind of record he would have made when he first arrived at SFUAD four years ago. This album is intentionally different from the music he has played in the past.

Nathan Smerage plays one of his acoustic songs in the Fogelson Library. Photo by Jason Stilgebouer.

“I think when we all got here, you know, we were thrown into this new place with all of these people we don’t know and we don’t really know ourselves yet either, so you have to kind of invent yourself very quickly,” Smerage says. “I’ve definitely found myself doing that. I don’t know, I kind of got pretty tired of the really loud amps, really loud guitars, having to wear earplugs while you play.”

When it comes to the experiences people have with Rain Check, Smerage is hopeful that those who listen will appreciate his songs, but also hopes that those who may not appreciate them will tell him why so that he can grow as an artist in the future. He sees this as the first step in a new approach to his music.

“I hope it comforts people,” Smerage said. “I just really hope it’s comforting in some way.

Rain Check will be released at Smerage’s senior show at p.m. April 21 in O’Shaugnessy Performance Space.