Americana troubadour NATHAN JACQUES is set to release his epic concept album Dark Wanderer and the Bounty Heart via Hidden Mountain Records on September 26th. The twelve-song + eight interlude tracks of boisterous Western anthems boasts unbridled, galloping rhythms and expansive sonic layers. Recorded at EastWest Studios in Hollywood, CA with Nathan co-producing with engineer Ed Donnelly (Willie Nelson), they used mid-1900s period-specific techniques and instruments during the recording process to actualize true Western authenticity. In addition to vintage ribbon mics and preamps, the orchestral percussion was tuned in the same way of the era and singing bowls, harpsichord and glockenspiel were played throughout. The album was mixed by Brandon Towles (Dierks Bentley, Kenny Chesney) and Jordan Koop (Orville Peck) and mastered by Pete Lyman (Brandi Carlisle, Sturgill Simpson). Dark Wanderer and the Bounty Heart‘s melodic, moody tunes evoke the American West with hints of inspiration from current favorites Lord Huron, Sturgill Simpson, Tyler Childers, Charley Crockett, Sierra Ferrell, Colter Wall and country greats Marty Robbins, Johnny Cash, Eddy Arnold, and Bobby Bare. The album's rich sound blends classic country instrumentation with modern influences.
Americana-UK raves that Nathan Jacques’ music is “Quite simply, beautiful. This is stuff to get lost in.“ His unique outlaw groove and powerful yet soothing baritone - together with his band: Christopher Motter (guitar), Allen Moreno (steel & baritone guitar), Matt Littell (bass), Edward Cerecedes (drums) and Eric Bell (organ) - shepherds you through Dark Wanderer and the Bounty Heart‘s dramatic story about one man’s perilous quest to find lost love and himself, no matter the cost.
“I’ve always been fascinated by records that follow a narrative thread all the way through,” Nathan shares. “There’s a certain magic to them in the way they deliver you to another dimension, another realm. It’s such a unique form of storytelling. Old Westerns and Western music are some of my favorite works of storytelling for their luscious sounds and vistas, emotionally driven narratives and their sweeping dramatic sequence. All of those things I sought to capture with this album.”
First single “Sanctuary Light” sets the stage for the album’s musical journey with its video that features Nathan as a character named Dark Wanderer - a fictional singing-cowboy movie star akin to Gene Autry and Roy Rogers. Dark Wanderer is trailed by a mysterious figures including the Shapeshifter, who haunts his odyssey and forces our hero to confront his inner demons and battle those who seek to steal his love and life. The video pulls you into the dream landscape of classic Western films and Western records of old to join Nathan in the strange and vintage world he has created. Americana-UK praises, “The video for “Sanctuary Light,” directed by Christopher Macken, is one of the most memorable of the year so far. Its concept is brilliantly realised with atmospheric lighting, creative set design and stunning visual effects contributing to an absorbing and artful piece of fantastical, Western cinema.”
Dark Wanderer and the Bounty Heart immerses you inside the action of shadowy figures hunting the Dark Wanderer as he reckons to prove his valor and worth via lush interludes and cinematic songs like the high energy cadence of “Words of Caution,” rockabilly tones of “Shapeshifter,” rose-colored buoyance of “The King Underground,” tribal movie soundtrack of “The Storm,” psychedelic foot-stomping rock bop of “Cactus Rose,” swinging tempo of “Dancing in the Light,” gentle cascading steel guitars of “All I See” and more.
The narrative concept of Dark Wanderer and the Bounty Heart follows Nathan’s 2021 debut album, Loud Mind, about a singing cowboy movie star who travels across dangerous lands in search of his lost love and a chance at redemption. Nathan released the visual live EP called Live Out West in 2021 that further reinforces the harmony of his talent for telling stories through vibrant soundscapes.
NATHAN JACQUES LIVE:
7/24 Los Angeles, CA @Good Times at Davey Wayne's
8/1 Los Angeles, CA @The Cinema Bar
8/16 Los Angeles, CA @The Viper Room
8/27 Los Angeles, CA @Hotel Cafe
9/6 Los Angeles, CA @The Echo
9/26 Los Angeles, CA @Desert 5 Spot
11/1 Los Angeles, CA @Freenote Cloth
*TBA additional November tour dates
11/13 Albuquerque, NM @International Western Music Association Convention
