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| Nathaniel Rateliff | |
|---|---|
| Name | Nathaniel Rateliff |
| Birth date | 1981-11-07 |
| Birth place | St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Associated acts | Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, The Wheel, The Cardboard Caretakers |
Nathaniel Rateliff is an American singer-songwriter and musician known for roots rock, soul, and Americana recordings and performances. He gained widespread recognition with his project Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats and has released solo albums spanning folk, country, and rhythm and blues. Rateliff's work intersects with independent and major labels, touring circuits, and communal music scenes across the United States and Europe.
Rateliff was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and grew up in nearby Wichita, Kansas and Missouri. He was raised in a family connected to regional traditions of gospel music, country music, and Midwestern folk scenes, attending local venues such as community churches and school programs that introduced him to instruments and songwriting. During his youth he performed in neighborhood settings and later moved to Denver, Colorado, where he became involved with the city's music scene and independent venues like The Fillmore Denver and Red Rocks Amphitheatre. He cites formative experiences in local clubs and touring circuits that shaped his approach to composition and performance.
Rateliff began recording and releasing music in the early 2000s with projects that blended folk and rock idioms, working with producers and musicians from scenes including Los Angeles, Nashville, Tennessee, Chicago, and New York City. Early albums and EPs circulated through independent labels and college radio, placing him alongside contemporaries from Sub Pop, Dead Oceans, and Jagjaguwar rosters. He collaborated with regional bands and attended songwriter gatherings in cities like Austin, Texas and Seattle, expanding his touring network to include festivals such as South by Southwest, Bonnaroo Music Festival, and Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. His recordings attracted attention from critics at publications including Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, The New York Times, and NPR Music.
The Night Sweats formed as an ensemble emphasizing vintage soul music, horn sections, and energetic live shows, drawing on influences from Stax Records, Motown Records, Wilson Pickett, and Otis Redding. Their breakout single achieved widespread airplay on NPR, BBC Radio 1, and KEXP, leading to television appearances on programs like Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The group's touring schedule brought them to international stages including Glastonbury Festival, Lollapalooza, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, and headline dates at large venues such as Madison Square Garden and Royal Albert Hall. Members of the band have included musicians active in other ensembles and sessions with artists like Leon Bridges, Alabama Shakes, The Black Keys, and The Lumineers.
Rateliff's stylistic palette merges folk rock, soul, blues, country rock, and R&B traditions, drawing inspiration from songwriters and performers such as Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Neil Young, Van Morrison, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Bill Withers, Sam Cooke, and Curtis Mayfield. He incorporates arrangements reminiscent of producers and arrangers like Quincy Jones, Isaac Hayes, and Don Was, and his live shows invoke the energy of historical acts including The Band, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Rolling Stones, and The Temptations. Rateliff credits learning from collaborations and sessions with musicians rooted in scenes around Nashville, Memphis, and Detroit.
Beyond the Night Sweats, Rateliff has participated in side projects and collaborations with artists and producers such as Brandi Carlile, Marcus Mumford, The National, Sturgill Simpson, Ryan Adams, Jason Isbell, Ben Kweller, Iron & Wine, Margo Price, Jenny Lewis, Kacey Musgraves, John Paul White, Bon Iver, and My Morning Jacket. He has contributed to tribute albums and benefit compilations alongside performers affiliated with labels like Columbia Records, XL Recordings, ATO Records, Republic Records, and Concord Music Group. His sessions have included work in studios associated with Rick Rubin, T Bone Burnett, Daniel Lanois, and engineers who have recorded acts such as U2, Tom Petty, and Bruce Springsteen.
Rateliff and his band have received nominations and awards from institutions and ceremonies including the Grammy Awards, Americana Music Honors & Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and critics' lists in The Guardian, The Independent, and NME. His albums have reached charts compiled by Billboard, UK Albums Chart, and streaming playlists curated by services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal. He has been featured in editorial programs at venues and organizations such as SXSW, BBC Music Introducing, and regional public radio stations affiliated with NPR affiliates.
Rateliff has been active in charitable and community initiatives, supporting organizations focused on mental health, addiction recovery, and community arts programs, working with nonprofits and benefit events alongside advocates from groups such as HeadCount, MusiCares, Red Cross, and local arts councils. He lives and works between creative hubs including Denver, Nashville, and Los Angeles, maintaining connections with grassroots scenes and educational programs at institutions like Berklee College of Music and residency programs at venues such as The Bluebird Café. His public statements and interviews have appeared in outlets including Rolling Stone, Variety, and The New Yorker.
Category:American singer-songwriters Category:Musicians from Missouri Category:1981 births