Following a string of releases that have been turning heads throughout the indie scene, Brighton quartet Nature TV are now looking to cement their legacy with their hotly-tipped debut album 'Unlucky for Some'.
Having already previewed the release with their mesmerising new single 'One Step Forward', the band continue their vibrant ascent through the alternative landscape. With its bouncing basslines, fuzz-tinged guitars, and wonderfully laid-back vocals layered over immaculate production from Solo Major, this new delight sees them return in stellar form, delivering more of that warming, alternative-indie sound we've come to love from them.
With their debut album on the horizon, a sold-out US tour in the works, and a coveted slot at SXSW 2025 already confirmed, we caught up with Nature TV to find out more about their origins and what has inspired their remarkable journey so far.
What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
JOSH: As much as I love playing bass it would probably be the acoustic guitar that got the musical love story going for me, especially fingerpicking style with open tunings. That’s my alone time jam.
JAMES: Definitely Guitar. Though I had a big love affair with drums through my teens. I started playing guitar but ended up playing drums in a band from age 15 - I could only play about 2 beats at the start. but a couple of years later found myself on my first UK Tour and music became a serious thing. I ended up moving to Brighton to pursue guitar ultimately though - and after meeting this beautiful bunch, and making the music we make, there was definitely no doubt for me about what instrument I loved most. Now I suck at drums again
GUY: I suppose it was the piano, my brother and sister played and I wanted to feel included. It turned out not to be my gift.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
JOSH: My earliest childhood music faves would have been a mix of 50s/60s rock n roll, Simon and Garfunkel and Queen. Basically, just car journeys soaking up what my parents had in the tape deck. Oh, also The Spice Girls.
JAMES: Much more rock focused. I still love rock music though - but up until I was about 18 it was mainly all I listened to. Then I heard Herbie Hancock and everything changed
GUY: When I was 11, I had a strong Marilyn Manson phase but that quickly fell by the wayside and then I just listened to the artic monkeys and bloc party and bands like that.
What was the first album you remember owning?
JOSH: The first album I bought was Nirvana’s In Utero (thanks to my eldest brother’s influence) and it changed my world. I’ll never forget waking up with the hidden track Gallons of Rubbing Alcohol Flow Through the Strip playing on my tiny CD player and it freaked me out. The next day I was sure I was imagining it as I hadn’t seen it on the track listing. I waited 20 odd minutes after All Apologies finished and there it was. That was the album that made me think that music might be a cool thing to do.
GUY: The first album I remember owning and cherishing was “Is this it” by the strokes. Got it a couple of years after it came out and it blew my mind. Still does.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
JOSH: Ahhh so many options! Wichita Lineman is the first one that springs to mind so I’ll go with that or I’ll be here for hours…
JAMES: Baby Jane - Rod Stewart
GUY: Hmm probably lover you should have come over by Jeff Buckley or something about us by daft punk. Both big songs for me and I’d be happy with either.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
JOSH: Usually just let her rip and see what comes out. A few Guinness’s later I might realise that that might’ve not been the right choice so I’ll go back and hone what I’ve got. But largely in the first couple of explosions is where the good stuff is.
JAMES: I often get visuals in my head when a song starts coming together. So, I just run with that. Sometimes music comes out easily and sometimes I have to be really patient and persistent with getting what I want out of myself.
GUY: The only habits really are just sitting at home normally late at night, I feel I can be more personal when it feels like no one else is up and about.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
JOSH: A real smorgasbord lately (aside from my pretty much daily staples of Nick Drake and The Beatles) - Fontaines DC, Pat Metheny and Lily Lyons.
JAMES: I’m always going through different phases. Like a lot of people, I’ve been really into Lola Young - I heard Messy last summer and I was hooked. I’m also reading Ronnie Woods autobiography at the moment - so I’m listening to a lot of the Rolling Stones. Whenever I’m reading someones book (I read a lot of autobiographies) I often go through their discography a bit too. Get soaked up in it.
GUY: I’m still riding the Mk.gee wave. He’s great and his guitar sounds tough.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
JOSH: Ooof that’s a tough one… the dreamer in me would pick Macca or Yusuf/Cat Stevens - but I think for the flow of the gig opening up for a band like Palace would be incredible. Love those guys.
JAMES: Oh, so many… I guess I’d love to open for Fontaines DC right now - or Men I Trust! Both work in my head somewhere
GUY: Hmm maybe the strokes just to live my boyhood dreams but I fear we’re probably a little soft.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
JOSH: Making music with the people I love the most. That and trying to throw in as many flat 5 intervals I can on the bass.
JAMES: There’s so much -but having recorded music and also feeling certain moments on stage - they have to be at the top. When I listen back to this album we’ve just made - I feel so proud of it, It feels crazy that we made this - that’s one of best feelings I’ve had. I know how much of ourselves we have put into this album - and I can feel it when I listen back.
Then being on stage, when you’re really soaked up in the music - is special for me. Especially if the crowd are there with you. I get totally lost in it, and feel like the music is flowing out of me effortlessly - I couldn’t play a note wrong if I tried. (at least that’s what It feels like haha)
GUY: The most rewarding part is going out on tour I’d say. Get to play shows in loads of different cities and meet/make fans. Recording is also maybe equally as good. Something from nothing is always a treat.
And what is the most frustrating part?
JOSH: The most frustrating part would probably be recording my parts in the studio. I think it comes from a place of wanting to do what’s best for the song. The rest of the time I can kinda meditatively enjoy what’s happening and presently give my input, but I always get that old red-light fever when it comes to my bits.
JAMES: Struggling to pay bills haha - but hopefully that’s going to change. Please buy our album people we have a beautiful Vinyl.
GUY: Definitely the amount of money you make per stream. It’s crushing
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
JOSH: You gotta learn the rules before you break the rules! My college tutor Butch Thomas taught me that and it made me understand there’s a whole world of music out there and if you can figure out the essentials then there’s a whole bunch of scope to go crazy.
JAMES: ‘Move to Brighton there’s nothing happening here’
GUY: A teacher at uni said, when speaking about music “just shoot from the hip”. Never really knew what he meant but I thought I’d just run with that.
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Watch the music video for 'One Step Forward' below