Small artist spotlight: spring term
By Samantha Navarro
August 20, 2024
For listeners of Wallows, Dayglow, and Vampire Weekend, there is a small artist that caters especially to you. His artist name is Spring Term, but the mastermind behind the music in its entirety is 25 year old Nathan Davis. This young musician is from Indianapolis, and I was able to interview him on his most recent release, “Pellegrino.” There was also a remix of this track which is accompanied by artist Moonbeau, and both are available on all streaming platforms.
I covered a lot of topics with Nathan, and here are some insights he was able to share with me that I think will help readers gain a perspective on what he has to offer as an up and coming musician.
What do you want your music to represent?
“As an artist, I think a unique thing that art and beauty can do is help you pause and be present. I would love for my music to help people do just that and experience the moment they are in. It puts you in a time and place. Art can go with you throughout your whole life or can mark seasons, and if my music can do that for people, that’s amazing.”
What is your songwriting process like?
“As a solo act, I normally produce and perform everything myself. Sometimes I have other people track or friends who do backing vocals. I also engineer everything while my friend Kyle mixes all of my music. I’ve made music since 2015, but producing it myself has been a new experience.”
Do you play any instruments?
“The first instrument I learned was guitar, it really got me into music. John Mayor’s concert convinced me to learn on the guitar I got for my birthday years prior that had been left untouched.”
Are visuals important to you as an artist?
“Definitely matters a lot, every song is different. Some develop an image. I like figuring out the image for different songs. Visuals put a context to music, and I find it very important to consider.”
Do you enjoy performing your music live? Who is your dream artist to open for?
“I enjoy performing live, but I don’t tour a ton at the moment. I would love to open for Vampire Weekend for sure.”
Favorite song that you’ve written?
“Being a solo artist is great. I can make my own decisions, but also I’m constantly living in my head. Too much of that can go the wrong direction. This song (Pellegrino) feels free and innocent; carefree. It reflects on a very special time in my life.”
New singles?
“I do have a potential project, definitely more music this year. All of these songs are in the same vein of my debut EP ‘Kiddo’, a really chronological autobiographical EP about my childhood. Finished that one and started the new songs. It’s almost a continuation with perspectives growing and new experiences every season that are being put into songs.”
Be sure to listen to “Pellegrino,” follow Spring Term for new music, and listen to the playlist linked below that will allow you to understand what it is exactly that Nathan took inspiration from in order to create his most recent release!