Photo Credit: Natalie White
Originally from New Zealand, Nat Robinson is a London-based vocalist, songwriter, guitarist and pianist.
In addition to performing as a solo artist, she is also the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for South London band BinFire. Nat/Natalie is also a music teacher and huge supporter of emerging artists. She volunteers at Junior Open Mic and also runs her own exciting events that showcase upcoming musical talent.
Whether performing original material or covers, Natalie is known for her powerful and expressive, strong and soulful vocals and commanding yet at times delicate, delivery; beautiful harmonies, and varied dynamics and emotionality in her performance; captivating audiences by turning sometimes painful memories into joy, on stage; her love of being on stage and her gratitude for music shining through.
Nat is very involved in the South London arts community and is a huge supporter of emerging artists and community events, and has a special skill for connecting people, something she clearly loves to do.
‘Escape’ is one of Nat’s original but currently unreleased songs, which features a vibrant guitar arrangement and reflective lyrics, which also have an emotional vulnerability surrounding some of the verses.
Nat took time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions for us:
1) When did your musical journey begin?
I was obsessed with music from my earliest memory.
I grew up singing and dancing around the living room to my mum’s Wilhelm Kempff (Beethoven, Schubert…), and also albums by Elvis Presley, Dire Straits to name but a few.
I lived in a musical in my head, imagining music pouring down from the heavens! (When I had my Sony Walkman on).
I remember obsessing on and memorising and singing and acting out the entire musical Phantom of the Opera, every single word; and Alice Cooper’s concept album Welcome to my Nightmare (an influence from my older brother).
The theatrical masterpiece of the song ‘Steven’ was very influential on me, and I was enthralled by it, studying it intensely.
The first thing my mum did when my parents separated was buy a piano and send me to piano lessons. I sang in my first band when I was 15.
I remember making up skits/performances with my friends in primary school to present to our parents.
I left music for a bit, for certain reasons, but then came back to it later in life when I resumed piano lessons and finished my grades after moving to London from New Zealand.
I qualified as a Suzuki Piano Teacher specialised in engaging young children in music and this then sent me on a path where I started playing and singing in bands and helped to find my voice by a singing and guitar teacher I met along the way, Dan Maitland (who is now in our band, Binfire).
Music for me has “saved my life” a couple of times. What I mean by that is it has been a wonderful escape and given me community and strength through musical friendships, through a couple of difficult times in my life
The last couple of years I have been on the new leg of my musical journey when I met Andy Gray from Junior Open Mic and have started supporting incredibly talented young emerging artists, through Stage Management and whatever other tasks Andy likes to get me to do as he takes me along for the ride as his side kick in Youth Open Mic adventures!
2) How did you get involved with Rising Voices?
Andy Gray from Junior Open Mic introduced me to Gemma Schito back when I began running my occasional Singer Songwriting Showcases.
I have had so much fun featuring her in a couple of them! She’s very special, and so is her mum. Gemma asked me in July to perform in her first Rising Volces event, in support of War Child.
3) Are there any releases or events in the pipeline?
Yes there will be lots of releases. I am working on a bunch of new songs both on my own and as part of our band, Binfire, plus more with another friend. I will record ‘Escape’ soon.
I’m playing lots of little gigs at the moment, both on my own and with Binfire.
I am very, very excited to have just made my Young Singer Songwriter Showcase events at the Bread and Roses in Clapham a regular monthly feature, on the 3rd Sunday of each month, and will be experimenting with larger scale band events on the bigger stage too!
4) What are you currently up to when not recording in the studio or performing?
I teach piano and guitar, do family stuff, walk my dog, rehearse for my own events, attend events/gigs, help promote other artists and run showcase events for emerging artists to play their tunes, as well as helping run the odd Open Mic.
Other things I like to do are plan mountain walks and other treks with a bunch of my good mates, who all happen to be music connections as well. We are going up Skafell Pike soon!
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