Discography
| New release! | ||
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| Darwin’s Tango | Unglued | Genetically Enhanced |
Most Requested Songs
The Folksinger
State of Grace
Hell Point Hell
Quality of Light
It’s Only Rocks
Duct Tape Madrigal
Achievements and Reviews
Lou has had the honor of opening for such folks as Christine Lavin, Bill Morrissey, Cosey Sheridan, Suzzy Roche and Bryan Bowers.
His music has been heard on Doctor Dimento, River City Folk, Woody’s Children, Car Talk, and…
NPR’s Weekend Edition with Scott Simon
Talk of the Nation with Neal Conan
He has been a two-time finalist in Alaska Public Radio Network’s Song of the Year Contest.
Lou’s song, Duct Tape Madrigal was included in Car Talk Car Tunes, a collection of songs that had originally aired on NPR’s Car Talk, and subsequently compiled on CD as a Public Radio fundraiser. As a result, the song has been covered by choral groups from Europe to Australia. But the biggest thrill was when it was sung by flash mobs in a Home Depot in Vermont and an Ace Hardware in Canada!
Reviews of previous recordings
Anchorage Daily News: “This collection of all-original songs…is the first studio work for the long-time Alaskan. Most are whimsical tales inspired by seven years of Bush living, plus a few poignant pieces. And they’re all backed up by a multitude of some of the community’s most talented musicians…I couldn’t help but be reminded of the Red Clay Ramblers, or Mark Graham, whose songs have the same feel — clever lyrics with surprises and a daring ability to poke fun at one’s self.”
Folk Digest: “…a gently humorous look at the human condition. Nathanson pokes at the cerebral and the mundane.”
Sing Out: “…humorous and frequently clever songs.”
Victory Review: “Crossing from bluegrass to Dixieland to country…Nathanson’s lyrics are clever with strong instrumental backing.”
Photos
Bio
Short bio
A New York City refugee, Lou came to Alaska for adventure, perhaps finding too much of it, eventually spending seven years living on an isolated homesite in the bush. Though he originally took up the guitar at ten years old, he only began writing songs when he found himself back in town, and noticed that the wilderness memories were starting to fade. His first songs were an attempt to crystalize some of those memories.
Longer bio
Born in New York City, Lou spent much of his youth absorbed in Jack London novels, wondering if (as London claimed) spit really does freeze in the air at 60-below-zero.
A very awkward kid, Lou figured out that music could connect him to the world. After sufficient begging, his parents finally bought him a very cheap guitar at the age of ten.
After a brief, obligatory sojourn in a teenage rock band, he returned to acoustic music and has stayed with it ever since.
Inspired by Jack Kerouac — but a bit late to the party, Lou dropped out of school at 16 and hitchhiked cross-country doing a number of things that he should probably have skipped. All the traveling made him realize that he was just not a city kid at heart. The next five years found him living in a series of cabins in Western Massachusetts, pretending he was really in the wilderness.
Lou eventually made it to Alaska, unabashedly looking for adventure, but also determined to find out about Jack London and the spit. Since then, he has worn the respective hats of a mechanic, prospector, trapper, bush pilot, engineer, and musician. (It’s said that those people are still looking for their hats – and reportedly, are not very happy.)
For seven years, Lou lived on a small, isolated homestead, 50 miles from the nearest village. Access was by bush-plane, boat, or dog-team. Having already acquired a team of 13 dogs, it was a small step to add a couple of kids to the family. They were both born in a hospital in Fairbanks. (Lou is not that crazy!)
Eventually, Lou moved into town and got a day job, but has never stopped playing and writing music.