Natty Nation turns 30
Natty Nation has played countless gigs since forming in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1995, but their show on June 21 at Atwood Music Hall in that city was extra special.
The American reggae band — less famous than compatriots like Rebelution and Grammy winners SOJA — celebrated its 30th anniversary with little fanfare outside their home town.
In an interview with the Jamaica Observer, keyboardist Aaron Konkol likened the show to a family reunion.
“We are overwhelmed with gratitude and very pleased with the reception of the show. The Natty family that showed up, some we hadn’t seen in decades, and other familiar familial faces that have been in the circle supporting us regularly, and their reception was top-notch,” he said. “It really felt like everyone there was in it with us from the first note to the last. We crushed it musically, so that was the most important thing, and people really recognised it and felt it too. I got several ‘That’s the best Natty show I’ve ever seen!’ “Bassist/vocalist Jah Boogie, Paule Willis on drums and percussion, and guitarist Nick Czar are the other core members of Natty Nation.
One of the band’s original members, Jeffery “J-Maxx” Maxwell, a guitarist from Falmouth, Trelawny, died from cancer at age 43 in 2001.
Natty Nation’s biggest following is in the United States Midwest, but they have also performed in Africa, Japan, and Guam. The quartet has five studio albums and a live set to their credit, with
Divine Spark, their previous album, released nine years ago.
Konkol pointed to The Wailers, Aswad, Steel Pulse, Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind & Fire, Sly & the Family Stone, Parliament Funkadelic, Roy Ayers, Fishbone and Bad Brains among Natty Nation’s main influences.
Although they have worked with Lee “Scratch” Perry and Chaka Demus, Konkol and his bandmates say taking the stage in the mecca of reggae is one of Natty Nation’s objectives.
“We are hoping to expand and finally get to Jamaica as a band to perform in our 30th year. Three of us have been [to Jamaica], but not Jah Boogie. Hopefully this year!” he said.
