Interview with North Carolina-based Rockers, Of Good Nature, on New Music and Touring
Of Good Nature just released their new single, "Take Me Anywhere," produced by heralded producer/engineer Danny Kalb (Beck, Ben Harper, Foster the People, The Movement.) The band will also be playing on Train's Sail Across the Sun Cruise coming up. We caught up with Brandon (Trombone) and Jon (Bass) to learn more!
Thanks for talking with us! What was the first concert you ever attended?
Jon: The pleasure is ours! I’m not too sure about my very first concert, but being raised in a family full of musicians, my most fond and memorable concerts have taken place in my living room. Whether it been my dad sitting at the piano singing his songs or my pops jamming with my uncles.
Did you have a musical mentor growing up?
Brandon: Bill Hanna, a jazz Trombonist/pianist from Charlotte, was a teacher and mentor of mine. He has pushed a lot of talent over the years in our hometown.
Tell us a little about your new single, "Take Me Anywhere."
Brandon: I believe it’s our way to appeal to a larger audience while still staying true to our sound and instrumentation. We are really hitting strides with our writing processes and excited for the upcoming work!
You are in the middle of a lot of tour dates. When you're on tour, do you have time to play tourist?
Brandon : Not too often, as we are pressed to make it to the next location. Although when we do, it makes up for the times we don’t. I believe we will be able to do more activities on the road as we grow as a band, along with our resources.
Are there any places you haven't played that you would like to?
Brandon : I’ve always wanted to play New Orleans - the land of authentic culture and major brass scene. Excited to play at Gasa Gasa March 6 in NOLA!
You are making back-to-back appearances aboard Train’s Sail Across The Sun Cruise. How fun! What do you look forward to most this year now that you have done it before?
Jon: The cruisers we’re a big part of the beautiful experience I had last year, just their sheer love and appreciation for live music impacted me greatly. So this year I’m mostly looking forward to reconnecting and embracing this new family that we have gained. We love our SATS fam!
You have met and worked with a lot of other musicians during your career. Who made the biggest impact on you and why?
Brandon: I would say Derek and James (aka the sex) from Tropidelic have impacted me through our relationship and seeing their ambition makes me want to work harder and further my personal career. There is also a positive energy that exists when we all get together. Definitely a family-like bond that’s authentic and has never been forced.
Is there anything left on your musical bucket list?
Brandon : I’m just getting started. While I feel I’ve accomplished some things so far, I’m aiming towards the moon. Everything is on my bucket list, so lookout, here I come babeè!
How do you stay connected with your fans?
Brandon: I stay connected with fans via Instagram, Facebook, and live performances.
Jon: There will be nights in Charlotte where we’ll go out and hang in one of the art districts (Plaza Midwood) and party with some of our local fans and supporters. Always good times in our hometown between tours!
Website: http://ofgoodnature.com/home/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ofgoodnature
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ofgoodnature/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ofgoodnature
YouTube: www.youtube.com/ofgoodnature
ABOUT OF GOOD NATURE:
Of Good Nature is an indie rock-reggae group that was formed in Charlotte, NC in 2011 by front-man, guitarist Cameron Brown and drummer, percussionist Joey Vachon. Coming up in the thriving music scene in the Queen City has been vital to the band’s early success, as well as the blending of rich musical styles which transcends foundations of rock-reggae to progressive instrumentals of funk and rock n’ roll. The sophisticated fusion of genres stem from the band's well-versed members; trombonist Brandon Hucks, bassist Jon Reed, and drummer David Hamilton Jr.
The 2011 debut album, Just Add Water, won Indie-Ville Reggae Album of the Year - Nashville, TN. On October 23rd 2015, their sophomore album, Life Worth Livin, debuted at #5 on the iTunes Top Reggae Album Chart. The band was featured in Irie Magazine : Cali Edition (November), scoring their own "Respect” multi-page write up and has thousands of monthly views and listens on Spotify + YouTube.
On June 23rd 2017, Of Good Nature hit the iTunes Reggae Single Charts. The single, “Sit Around”, features fellow rock-reggae frontman, Zach Fowler of Sun-Dried Vibes and was engineered + mixed by Ted Bowne (PASSAFIRE) in St. Petersburg, FL. The collaborative piece speaks to the anticipation and contemplation that comes along with creating and pushing passionate music out into the world. The band claims, “Ted was the ideal producer for this. His creative direction brought some tenacity to the song but still retained the relaxed pace the track was built on.”
However, fans wouldn’t call an OGN show relaxed; a tight energy of raw instrumentation blend with tasteful effects and a range of styles. The notable Reggae Rise Up Festival in St. Petersburg, FL added Of Good Nature to the already stacked bill through their Artist Discovery Series in early 2017, along with Slightly Stoopid, Dirty Heads, Iration, Steel Pulse, The Green and MANY more. The guys have been invited back for their 2nd Sail Across The Sun Cruise hosted by Train. The ship sets sail in March 2018 (New Orleans, LA - Cozumel, Mexico) w/ Robert Randolph, Gym Class Heroes, Magic!, and many more.. The group continues to tour vigorously through 2017 and is leaving their mark across the US and Canada.
Of Good Nature has also shared the stage with headliners like Sublime with Rome, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Arrested Development, Natasha Beddingfield, Dropkick Murphys, Matt Nathanson, Keller Williams, Blues Traveler, Common Kings, George Porter Jr, PASSAFIRE, Tomorrows Bad Seeds, The Movement, Tribal Seeds, The Supervillains, Ballyhoo! and many others. Be on the lookout OGNation, Of Good Nature's National Tour is announced and tickets are live!