EFF: Musician Nathan Angelo

Photo by Stephanie Knapp.
Nathan Angelo performed at Every Freakin' Friday in the JC.

By Broadside Staff Writer Kristen White

Pop-rock artist Nathan Angelo sang “there’s air to breathe, life to live, then I’ve got a song to sing,” during his performance last Friday.

Originally from Atlanta, Ga., Angelo is currently on an East Coast college campus tour. This is his second performance at George Mason University.

A couple of years ago, a friend of his invited him to play here. He came back with his drummer, Johnny B., who grew up around the Northern Virginia area and reminisced while driving to this event.

“Students want to find new things and share music, so it gets my music out there,” said Angelo.

Angelo learned to play the piano when he was six years old, but got his start during his college years at coffee shops around Lee University in Tennessee.

“One opportunity led to another and that’s how it began,” said Angelo.

The audience was really responsive to his comedic and grateful personality. He wants everyone to relate to him and dig deeper into his words since his songs speak to his own experiences.

Angelo was engaged in his music by swaying to the rhythm, closing his eyes and tapping his feet.

“He reminds me of Gavin DeGraw or Maroon 5,” freshman nursing major said Emily Lieu.

Merchandise was sold after the show and Nathan Angelo took the time to talk and take pictures with fans.

“He was amazing, I’m shocked he’s not more popular,” freshman nursing major Kelly Schoepe said before buying his first album.

With influences like Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, and of course, the Beatles, Angelo is ready to convey a relatable message to his listeners about life.

“These were a lot of songs from college years. My thoughts, what I was going through in life, in love, and just how overwhelming life can be,” Angelo said.

Mixed in with songs off of his first album, Through Playing Me, he also performed The Beatles’ “Let it Be” and Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered.” Angelo’s music is very much influenced by the styles of the aforementioned artists. Angelo resonates the sound of some of the classical legends that have come before him while still taking time to add his own signature style into the music to make it his own.

After taking a couple of minutes to think about it, he decided his favorite song to sing is “Love Sucks” since so many people can relate to it.

“It’s sarcastic and bitter, but a lot of people have been there and it’s a fun icebreaker for a performance,” said Angelo.