Neil Nathan Releases 'So Much More' To Inspire Young Voters

Neil Nathan, a former high school history teacher, may no longer work at New York's Martin Luther King, Jr. High, but he's still always looking for opportunities to inspire and educate. The upcoming Election Day is just one of those opportunities. 'So Much More' was written for "the angels of American democracy" and is all about the power of individual citizens to bring about positive political change. The video is filled with inspiring images that make any viewer want to rock the vote. 'So Much More' can be found on his debut LP, The Distance Calls.

Nathan was featured on the cover of American Teacher magazine for directing Martin Luther King, Jr. High School's Arts Education program and providing inner city kids with opportunities to intern and attend performances at New York City Opera, Guggenheim Museum, and Jazz at Lincoln Center. His favorite teachers turned rockers are Gene Simmons and Bob Pollard.

Neil Nathan is no stranger to making music videos. His latest, 'Highways,' featuring an animated version of himself, was directed by Postage, Inc. 'California Run' co-stars his former roommate, Rosario Dawson. His cover of ELO's 'Do Ya,' which was also featured on the Californication soundtrack, has been viewed 20,000 times on YouTube. 'So Much More', along with 'Highways,' 'California Run' and 'Do Ya' can be found on Nathan's latest full-length, The Distance Calls which was released in August.

The Distance Calls was produced by The Go's Bobby Harlow and combines the talents of Dean Fertita (The Dead Weather, QOTSA), Kenny Tudrick and Joey Mazzola (Detroit Cobras), John Krautner (The Go), and Ross Westerbur (Deadstring Brothers). The album effortlessly merges jangly pop rock with Nathan's mellower singer/songwriter side. With a dash of NYC glitter and some good old Detroit fuzz and stomp, it showcases a musician clearly influenced by the ‘70s (without being cliché).

Praise for Neil Nathan On The Distance Calls:

The country-inflected single, "California Run," breezes by like a convertible cruising down the PCH, sounding like a long-lost Old 97's track that was recently unearthed."--Magnet's MP3 at 3PM

"From his Josh Ritter-like chug on "California Run" to the guitar-heavy sludge of "Better Be Goin'" he, more often than not, recalls the aforementioned songwriter's ambitious tendencies. But, if you add Nathan's obvious love for 70's classic rock and his myriad of other influences, you end up with an album as surprisingly strong as The Distance Calls; a windingly fun and eventful road trip into the valleys of retro rock"--Bryan Sanchez, Delusions of Adequacy

"Similar to The Eagles or Jackson Browne, it's meat and potatoes rock and roll that satisfies all the way through. The blues styled "Get On" has a bit of Dylan in it's DNA with a rolling organ and guitar solo break that is so cool it'll keep ice cream from melting. There are few musicians out there that can pull off this combo of energy and soulful songwriting (Both Matthew Sweet and Jeff Tweedy qualify)." Powerpopaholic

"The Distance Calls is an album that could very well be thrown into a mix along the lines of any given Fairweather release, and would be able to hold its ground with no struggle whatsoever. The guy has a talent and an acoustic swagger that is undeniably real. "California Run" is such a perfect single it's awe inspiring."--Ron Trembath, FensePost

"Drop the needle anyplace on the record and find yourself soaking in a well crafted song. Perfectly balanced rock and soul."--The Ripple Effect

"The best part? Nathan combines a singer-songwriter sound- that which you'd never brag about enjoying to your pals- with a touch of '70s-influenced rock ‘n' roll that relieves any worries about losing your, um, man card."--David Uberti, The Metro Times

"...The Distance Calls opens up with an interpretation of ELO's "Do Ya" setting firm ground for a nice outing that surfaces somewhere between classic rock and Matthew Sweet. Always refreshing to see people recalling the greats and not just mystifying with bells & whistles." --Parasites and Sycophants

"Neil Nathan's voice and acoustic rock sound draws strong similarities to Matthew Sweet, especially on the album's lead off single "California Run." The chorus is so catchy that it's sure to catch the attention of radio."--JP'sMusic Blog

"Rosario Dawson. Electric Light Orchestra. Matthew Sweet. If you can get the first into your video, and you have the audacity to craft a stripped-down acoustic version of the second, and if your sound is guaranteed to earn comparisons to the third, then you're guaranteed to get my attention and interests."
--Billy, Bottom of the Glass

"One of this year's truly great rock records. The tunes are so sugary, they would give Matthew Sweet a toothache."-- Snob's Music

"Earnest, melancholy singer/songwriter has a talent that cuts to and through the heart."--Philadelphia Daily News

"Nathan's vocals could easily be mistaken for Cat Stevens at times - most notably on the aching ballad, "Don't Walk Away". But Nathan does more on this record than pull at the heartstrings with his sincere balladry - he can make you want to get up and dance, like on the bluesy rockers "Get On" and "Never Enough"."--Bill's Music Forum

On the "You're Mine Valentine's Day" Video:

"With a warm, soulful voice and an acoustic-guitar part that tugs the heartstrings as it plucks at the steel ones, Neil Nathan's lullaby-with-a-twang, "You're Mine," seems as good a soundtrack for Valentine's Day as any."--Magnet Magazine's Film at 11

On the "Do Ya" Video:

"Nathan's voice, a combination of rock and soul, is full of longing on this revamped romanticized piece."--Magnet Magazine

On Songsmiths:

"Wow, this is really good. Like a mellow Steve Marriott."--John Ingham, Music Journalist, MOJO, NME, Creem, Rolling Stone

On Motor City Recordings:

"I loved it. Like Chris Isaak, full of longing."--Jennifer Kelly, Music Journalist, Popmatters, Dusted, Neumu

"Gone (Fly Away) is catchy as hell. These songs are great."--Gary Blackwell, Music Journalist , Spin Magazine, Delusions of Adequecy, MotorCityRocks.com

On "Glide":

"Melding the heartache of alt.country to the soul of acoustic Americana, Nathan's "Glide" EP is a stirring, thoughtful collection of mini-revelations that grow in beauty with every listen."--Nevin Martell, Music Journalist, Filter Magazine and Author of Beck:The Art of Mutation, and Searching for Calvin and Hobbes

For more information on the artist, visit http://www.neilnathan.com/