As acts come and go in Denver’s ever-evolving music scene, 35-year-old Nathaniel Rateliff remains one of the constants. Whether he’s performing solo or in bands such as Born in the Flood or the Wheel, local fans keep coming back for Rateliff’s self-proclaimed “desperate but hopeful” lyrical style. And recently, he’s given them plenty to love. The prolific songwriter and guitarist released a solo album, Falling Faster Than You Can Run, in April, not to mention last year’s unexpected delight: two gospel-tinged R&B tunes from his band Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats. This summer, Coloradans can catch the beloved minstrel, who is touring the country for Falling Faster, at the Snowmass Mammoth Fest in Snowmass Village in June; or head to Morrison in August to hear him open for Rodrigo y Gabriela at Red Rocks. After that, Rateliff will supposedly take a break because, although all evidence is to the contrary, he says, “One of my favorite things to do is nothing.”

5280.com Exclusive: Read an extended interview with the Denver musician about life on the road, playing with multiple bands, and his songwriting process at 5280.com/rateliff.

5280 June 2014
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