nature airliner is a Tokyo-based acoustic singer-songwriter duo. Having performed extensively around Japan, their international touring credits include the Hard Rock Cafe (U.S.A./Scotland) as well as circuit-style festivals such as Liverpool Sound City (England) and Zandari Festa (South Korea). They also enjoy major sponsors such as C.F. Martin & Co. (guitars; through their Japanese distributor; Kurosawa Gakki) and Onkyo (in-ear monitors).
In August of 2018, nature airliner embarked on its first Canadian concert tour, including an appearance at the International Pop Overthrow Festival (Vancouver). Their latest album – “Cardinal” – was recorded at the former Columbia Studio A, in Nashville, Tennessee, and was released on May 6th, 2022. The video for its second single “Letting Go,” was nominated for a prize at the Ninja Indies Music Awards on May 18th, 2022, and won “Best Actress” at the Euro Music Video Song Awards in June of 2022.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with nature airliner about the music, dream collabs, memories and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
What’s something you’d like readers to know about your latest project?
We write songs that hope to inspire people to pursue their dream lives regardless of the odds they face. These are mostly composed from the perspective of our guitarist, Tiernan, who spent twelve years (and five therapists) dealing with recurrent suicidal tendencies. He was also born with a rare disease; Marfan syndrome.
How does this project compare with your other release(s)? Was there anything specific you were trying to accomplish?
This (Cardinal) is our first full album. All other releases prior to it were singles and an EP, so this project was more ambitious in terms of length. Also, we got special permission to record at the former Columbia Studio A in Nashville, where Leonard Cohen recorded his second and third album; where we tried to capture some of the classic singer-songwriter sound of the late sixties and early seventies.
What motivates you to create music?
Tiernan, our guitarist, has always felt driven to create songs since they were a small child; when they’d make up songs as if they already existed; just using their voice. They hear snippets of potential choruses, in the ether, so to speak, and then build the body of the songs around those seeds.
What’s one of your first or most powerful music memories? Did that play any role in driving you to create?
One of my (Tiernan’s) first and most powerful memories was a nightmare of being kicked off a skyscraper by my twin that doesn’t exist, in a rainstorm. And, I guess that has been the driving force in my art, as well as in my life; the drive to overcome all obstacles, both internal and external.
If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why? If it’s an indie/DIY artist, please include a link so readers can check them out.
We would have loved to have collaborated with Leonard Cohen, because the voice of Eiko (our vocalist) would have worked wonders with his. And, our sound was largely based on his earliest recordings.
What was the last song you listened to? And who is one of your favorite all-time bands/artists?
The last song Tiernan listened to was “Trusty Chords” by Hot Water Music, and the last song Eiko listened to was “Invaincu” by Stromae. One of Tiernan’s all-time favourite artists is Pet Shop Boys, and one of Eiko’s all-time favourite artists is Queen.
Where is the best place to find you and stay connected?
We update our FB page more than any other site, but here are our major URL’s.
http://www.facebook.com/natureairliner
I really appreciate Your time. Anything else before we sign off?
Thank you very much for the interview! The music video for our new album’s second single – “Letting Go” is really beautiful, and was shot by an award-winning British director named Michael Williams. Its lead actresses also won awards for their work. So, if you have a second, please enjoy it!
