Are you eager to find new artists to listen to? Well look no further, as we introduce to you… ArthurAutumn
His name is Brent Arthur Nuffer, a songwriter/singer from Michigan, now living in Los Angeles, California. Nuffer is also known for his work with Los Angeles Rock Band BARBARIAN OVERLORDS with whom he released two records, 2011’s Self-Titled Album, and the follow-up 2014’s Rise Up.
He is always in search of new ways to explore musically and artistically. Arthur*Autumn is the polar opposite of the Rock And Roll he was raised upon in Detroit. His music explores a much more introspective vibe, an inside look at the human condition, and a firm eye on the current state of the Universe, and always from a Songwriter’s Heart.
I got to chat to him the other day, and this is how the conversation went down…
Did you always know you were going to end up working in the music industry? And how did you finally get your foot in the door?
“Honestly, I’m not sure what having a foot in the door ‘really’ means, especially these days. I guess that’s all subjective upon one’s opinion which has nothing to do with the art itself. Working within music was something that I just kind of stumbled upon as a kid. You know, a young person trying to figure out who they are and why they were sent here. I would imagine it’s like that for most musicians or creative people, just looking for a collective group of like-minded people for something to do. I can tell you the defining moment for me. I was watching Nirvana’s Unplugged performance as a kid (I had to sneak around to watch it while my parents were away). Rock and Roll was seen as deviant in my household. As I watched that performance, edge of your seat type of moment, something just took over.I’ve read stories of similar moments with The Beatles watching Elvis, or Springsteen watching The Beatles. At that moment I said, ‘That’s it! That’s what I want to do! That makes sense to me.’ I think I quit the Basketball team the next day and got a guitar. It was that immediate for me.”
How is LA different to Michigan?
Naturally, Los Angeles is so different from Michigan, just in geography alone. In many ways, it still feels like a different Planet! I never want to lose that sense of wonder. I knew instantly that when I moved West to Los Angeles that everything would be much more challenging, I liked the idea of that. It’s a much bigger pond to swim in, to grow, to change, to see and do more. Of course, you can do that anywhere, Topeka, Ypsilanti, Omaha, wherever, but in a bigger City, you have a bigger area to move about and create.
Without a doubt, the opportunities I have, I am grateful to experience here and the people I’ve had the chance to meet, could not have happened in Michigan.
Both longitudes and latitudes will always have a special place in my Heart. Both are Beautiful in their way. The Mitten & The City of Angels. Though very different indeed.”
Tell us about the festival you will be playing at, the Big Horn Music Festival and do you have other projects coming up after that?
The Big Horn Festival takes place the weekend of August 26th-28th, high atop Mt. Baldy, Ca. The Festivals focus is on the best in Americana, Blues, Folk, Country and Bluegrass that California has to offer. Stunningly Beautiful up there!
I had played the Festival last year as a solo artist, and I am looking forward to returning with a Backing Band this year. It’s a great way get away from the City and perform amongst the Mountains. Being from Michigan, I had never skied before, and you take the ski lift up to the Festival. That was a little freaky at first, but then I started to like it, and I took the ski lift several times until the security guy said: ‘No more…’ I said: ‘Ok…I made that up.’ I go on at 9 PM that Saturday night August 27th…Tickets are available at arthurautumn.com
I’ve been in the studio working on the next ArthurAutumn Record over the past few months and have just begun the process. That is mainly where my focus will be, sorting out all the material and putting all the puzzle pieces together.”
If I was to turn on your iPod right now, what five artists songs would I see on your recently played list?
“Well, my iPod decided to quit totally on me recently, so I’ve been without it. Drats, although, I’ve got this habit of keeping a log on my phone as to Artists I need to check out. As of late, I’ve had to study this amazing band and research all of their work, of which I can’t speak of at this time.I can say it has been really interesting studying the vocal techniques and trying to learn how this band created such stunningly brilliant music. Aside from that, Bat For Lashes, Mos Def, Bowie’s Aladdin Sane, Buck Owens, Slayer and the new Radiohead, A Moon Shaped Pool is on the Turntable. Oops…I think that’s 7…Sorry.”
You seem like a fashionable guy. What is fashion to you?
“Well, thank you.
Fashion to me is a way to express yourself and present your art. Fashion is also doing exactly what you want and the way you want to do it, whatever makes you comfortable in your own skin. Following current trends is not Fashion to me. Otherwise, you’re just another sheep in the pasture.”
Who are some of your style icons?
“I try to pull inspiration from a lot of different artists and mediums. Many times the music that you are creating will dictate how you express yourself. So it’s just a natural process. It’s much more functional to wear a suit and strum a guitar with a string section than it is for full on Rock and Roll show. Functionality for a performer is important as well. Bowie is a big one for me. He had this way of constantly changing, and when people would catch up to him, he would change again. I always appreciated that. The Nudie Suits that Nudie Cohn created for Gram Parsons and Buck Owens, Hank Williams Sr and Elvis, I’ve always been interested in. The old Blues players like Leadbelly, Robert Johnson, the old school Jazz guys, Thelonius Monk, Coltrane and Miles Davis.The suits. They always looked sharp & eccentric. I think it is important for any artist to look different from their audience.
To me, when performing, I am working and serving the audience. In the same way that a waiter, or someone working in a coal mine. They have uniforms? Shouldn’t an Artist or Performer as well?
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
“Hmm, I never wear shorts.”
What is a quote you live by?
“Be kind, be grateful and carry a big heart.”
If you held a dinner party, who would be the five guests, you would invite (from any era)?
“Sigmund Freud. I’m super into Psychology, and I’ve always found his theories to be interesting.
Frank Lloyd Wright. He could teach us how to build things.
Willie Nelson. He seems to be a very wise, no BS kind of guy.
Paramahansa Yogananda. I’ve been studying his teachings for quite some time now.He could let us know if we’ve all lost our minds as we eat dinner.
My Grandfather Arthur, he passed away when I was young. I just really miss him. I’d like to talk to him again about a lot of things. Like I wonder if he gets to watch DVDs and stuff up there?”
Make sure you check Arthur out at the 2016 Big Horn Music Festival, Saturday, August 27th in Mt. Baldy, California @ 9 PM! This is a very unique event, showcasing the best Artists in Blues, Americana, Folk & Bluegrass that California has to offer all weekend long, August 26th-August 28th.
Tickets are only $15.00, and this grants you an all day pass, including your Ski Lift pass up to the Festival. Scenic Magic! Camping is also available. A Wonderful way to get away from the City & enjoy the Beautiful JAMS throughout the weekend.
This will be Arthur*Autumn’s last performance for an extended amount of time as he prepares the next Record. For Tickets, click here, and for any further information click here
