8 minute read
MUSIC: NATHAN EVANS
I’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE
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Nathan Evans on TikTok viral success and why sea shanties are having a moment during the pandemic.
After swapping posting letters for posting chart-topping hits online, ex-Postman Nathan Evans has quickly tackled the notoriously fickle waters of TikTok and succeeded with his hit cover of a classic sea shanty, the ‘Wellerman’.
The Airdrie-based artist has big plans to be anything but a one-hit-wonder. With his drive to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Ed Sheeran, paired with his impressive vocal skills - the world is his oyster.
Off-the-bat, Evan’s dream may be sky-high but his feet are firmly planted on the ground. Discussing how he’s been managing the newfound success, he says: “I’m just taking each day as it comes, and really that’s how I’ve lived my life up until this point. I’m not going to change that.”
The effect of starting a new trend and becoming the face of a new cultural sensation still hasn’t sunk in. “It’s surreal. When I’m having these conversations, it feels like I’m talking about somebody else. It’s crazy,” says Evans.
Crazy indeed, nobody could have predicted that the pandemic would have reawoken the nation’s adoration of sea shanties. It was only right to get the reasoning behind it from the source himself. “I think it’s because everybody’s stuck at home,” says Evans. “They’re all feeling a bit lonely, feeling just a bit fed up and down. These songs have come along and put a smile on your face.
And, I think that’s exactly what everybody needs at the minute.” It would make sense, as traditional sea shanties first became popular for boosting morale while merchant seamen carried out their work, often in tough conditions. Due to his part in starting this unforeseen TikTok trend with ‘The Wellerman’, he swiftly became increasingly recognised on his rounds at work.
“It was off the back of the ‘Wellerman’ song. There were a couple of people who recognised me from TikTok. I uploaded the song, say on Thursday and then by the time Monday came, emails started coming in, people were recognising me on the street and stuff like that.” The following Friday saw Evans leave his job to pursue the wealth of opportunities landing in his inbox. “I thought ‘I’m going to go and I’m going to see if I can make the most of this,’” he says.
It’s clearly caused quite a stir in the music industry, with even Andrew Lloyd Webber posting his own rendition. There have also been other unexpected fans of his music which surprised him. “Brian May knows who I am and that’s absolutely insane. He uploaded a video, and he was talking about me. And then, he played a solo on his electric guitar of the ‘Wellerman’. I feel as if I’m dreaming at this point.”
Evans went on to release ‘Wellerman’ as a remix with 220 Kid and Billen Ted, which has thirty million streams on Spotify alone. Naturally, the cause of this collaboration was TikTok.
“220 Kid was on TikTok scrolling and he saw my video. He was like, ‘That’d be really cool and fun to do a remix’ so he just took the TikTok video and remixed the sound from that. Then he sent it over and he asked, ‘What do you think of this?’ And, I said, ‘That’s hilarious.’” It was not only the first time that Evans had spoken to him but also one of the first times he’d become starstruck, exclaiming, “Oh my god, someone very
THAT GUY ON STAGE
famous has mailed me.” After 220 Kid uploaded the song on his social media accounts, it quickly became a hit with multiple radio stations, earning praise from the likes of tastemakers Chris Stark, Scott Mills and MistaJam. They enlisted the help of Billen Ted and quickly created a full version, while Evans was in the process of record labels and managers.
The one downside to the timing of the collaboration is that others can’t join in just yet. “The only upsetting thing is that everybody is stuck in the house and you can’t experience that song in a club because I think that would be amazing. It’s just such a fun song. It’ll be good once we can go out and listen to that.”
Evan’s interest in music goes back much further than the pandemic and it’s clear music has been a lifetime passion of his. “I’ve been singing since I was six, and I’ve been playing the guitar since I was eight. When I was younger my mum and dad were entertainers and used to host karaoke. I’d go along and at the end of the night, so I could whip the guitar out and play a couple of songs.” His usual karaoke track, ‘Hallelujah’, may not have been his personal favourite but it was always requested by his family.
He grew up seeing a range of artists live, including Bowling For Soup, Newton Faulkner and one of his longtime inspirations, Ed Sheeran. “I saw Ed Sheeran back in 2012 and that was absolutely insane. It was absolutely incredible.” He adds: “Growing up, I think I’ve always wanted to be the guy that’s on the stage. Whether that be the main act or the support act, that wouldn’t make any difference to me, just so long as I was on the stage.”
He already has some venues in mind. “I would like to play the Barrowlands in Glasgow because that is absolutely amazing. But if we think bigger than that, I’d like to play arenas, like Wembley or O2. That would be insane.”
In addition to putting his own ingenious spin on covers, he’s always working on original songs too. If you’re wondering what you can expect, he’s influenced by a range of his favourite artists. “For the songs that I write myself, I take my inspirations and my influences from the likes of Ed Sheeran, Dermot Kennedy, Lewis Capaldi, Jess Glynne, Anne-Marie, all these kinds of artists.”
“That’s kind of the music that I like to write and listen to. I like to make a song that people can connect with. And, whether they’re going to be smiling at this song, are going to be dancing or they’re going to be sad - if the listener feels something and enjoys it, then that’s what I try and go for.”
If you’ve already heard ‘The Wellerman’ on repeat and are looking for your next musical fix from Evans, rest assured he has plenty of ideas in the works. “I’ve got a couple of singles, hopefully, coming out soon and then you will possibly hear an album from me by the end of the year. That’s the plan.” With great success comes great responsibility, but Evans has been on the receiving end of support from an array of people, with some offering some wise advice. “At the very start, there was a YouTuber called Peter Hollens”. He reached out to Evans, asking to interview him, however, soon everything started quickly taking off. Hollens said: “Listen, if you ever need anything I’m here and just take it easy. Take it day by day, everything will be fine. I know it’s a bit of a whirlwind but you’ll be alright. Just take it step by step.” They did the interview and Evans noted: “He was really nice and he gave me some great pointers.” Words - Camilla Whitfield Design - Ember Kirsch-Pinfold
Only able to connect with others over Zoom in his bedroom, his recent rise to fame still hasn’t sunk in. Although, he is safe in the knowledge that with or without his newfound success, he’ll always have his love of music. “I don’t think anything would have changed as maybe that’s not the kind of person I am. I was doing this, regardless of whether I was a postman, I was already uploading music to the internet. I was singing, playing the guitar, playing the piano, writing music. All of these things would still be happening, whether anybody was watching or not. It’s just now I can say that this is my job. I’m grateful.”
Drawing inspiration from the pandemic, the singing Scotsman left us with motivational words before the interview could draw to a close. “If you’re in this pandemic, don’t give up. This is the perfect time to be practising and to be learning. This will all come to an end and you will eventually be able to go out and show your art or your music. It’s also the perfect time to make the most of social media and get your work out there to as many people as possible. Just keep going, that’s the main thing.”
From average Joe to certified chart-topper and possible TED Talk guru - if we’ve learned anything from Evans, it’s that you’re the master of your own destiny. Nathan’s path of viral success will be sure to lead him to sell-out arena shows soon, but until then, look out for his forthcoming releases, and the opportunity to dance to the ‘Wellerman’ at a club near you soon.
