Nathan Holscher

Nathan Holscher’s imagery and lyricism exceed the experiences a young singer-songwriter should have to tap. Perhaps repeated exposure to the harsh beauty and mythology of the American West as a youth coupled with religious studies at an eclectic midwestern college help him weave compelling narratives at will. Maybe it is an innate gift. On the surface Holscher is a soft-spoken singer/songwriter. Once you drop the needle on his new album “Hit The Ground”, that persona is turned on its ear. You are immediately introduced to an old-soul seeker that has yet to find the life that fits him; that has seen life’s highs and lows and has little left to prove. Just as that character starts to feel familiar, he assumes any one of a number of other guises. Part of the beauty lies in the mystery of which character is closest to the real Holscher. The magic is in knowing you will never be sure you have applied the proper label. Following on the heels of 2007’s successful “Even The Hills,” “Hit The Ground” finds Nathan again melding influences from all genres of classic and contemporary American songwriting and literature. A stellar backing band, The Ohio 5, fuels the passion of the songs. Holscher’s production collaborator Ric Hordinski (Over the Rhine, David Wilcox) brings a sonic depth, lustre and openness to the songs.. The album showcases Americana sensibilities while introducing elements of classic folk and modern rock. The tunes are at once honest, desperate and simple with flashes of early Springsteen, “Harvest”-era Neil Young, and Graham Parsons; and a kinship with current luminaries Ryan Adams and David Gray. “Hit The Ground” is Holscher’s most compelling work to date. Well-crafted songs about restless hearts and changing skies aimed at the heart of the listener.

Cincinnati, OH