HE MAY be a scouser by birth but country music singing sensation Nathan Carter is now happy to call Fermanagh home.
In an interview with the Fermanagh Herald this week, Nathan spoke about life in the county – and reflected on an ‘incredible’ year in music.
“It’s been fantastic and a lot more than what I expected has happened. For example, the album going to number one in the Irish charts was something that was definitely not expected,” he began.
“The live DVD is just out. That was a year in the making, it was six months of planning so that took up a lot of time. That went this week into the Irish Music Video Charts at number two, One Direction are in at number one – it’s kind of mad.”
At the end of November, Nathan performed two sold-out shows in Belfast’s Waterfront Hall, however, a year prior, he had come close to turning down the idea of even one show there.
“A year ago when the promoters suggested doing a night in the Waterfront, I was very very doubtful about it because I didn’t think it was possible to sell it. We’d done a hotel in Belfast, the Europa, we’d done a function room in there which held about 500 people, I think we sold it out bar about 20 tickets. But that’s a serious jump from there to trying to play a 2,000 seater theatre. So I was very apprehensive about putting the dates in.
“But I was talked around and I’m glad to say I was proved wrong, it sold out and then they decided to do another night.”
And, the year included performances at the Millennium Forum in Derry, and the Olympia in Dublin, as well as festivals across the country.
At present, Nathan does three to four gigs every week, but does he find the schedule tough?
“I would do. I would do a lot of the driving as well, so I’m driving myself to the shows, doing the gig, meeting the people, and then driving home. Then I try and get some sleep and it’s up the next day to do the same thing again.
“I wouldn’t get much ‘me time’, I wouldn’t get much time off – I’m not complaining – but even on my days off I’d be doing interviews, or trying to get into the studio to record stuff – there’s always something to be done. But I wouldn’t change it, I feel very privileged to be doing what I’m doing, and I don’t take it for granted that’s for sure.”
When he does get time to himself, it is usually used for relaxation.
“To be honest I’m very boring, I enjoy sitting on the couch and doing absolutely nothing – catching up on Sky plus. That’s it.”
Visiting his friends and relatives in Liverpool as often as he can – usually every couple of months – his base remains in Enniskillen, where he is easily recognisable.
“I’ve been here for 18 months – I like Enniskillen as a town, not that I would get much time to get out in it, but it’s a very friendly town – whenever you walk down the street you’re always going to bump into someone or get chatting someone, so I like it that way. I find people very friendly in the whole, people would come up and say ‘hello how are things’, there’s not any madness. People stop and chat which is nice.”
Managed by Garrison man John Farry, Nathan continues on the rise. Plans for 2014 are equally busy with a new album and tours in America and Australia in the plans.
“The first three or four months are taken up by concerts here in Ireland and in Scotland as well. Then we’re taking a short break for maybe three or four weeks and we’re back in June to start off the festival season.
“The DVD is just out and I’m very proud to get that out. Working on from there we’re going to be bringing a live album out of that DVD, early in the year – and in the meantime we’re touring from January to April.
“After that we’re taking a short break, and I’ll probably start working on the new album. I’ve got some new stuff, some original stuff that I need to get into a studio and stick down, so we’re going to be working on a new album which will hopefully be out in the summertime when we’re doing the festivals.
“I’ll probably try and keep a base here as long as possible. We’re going to America next year for a short trip, a short tour, and hopefully Australia shortly after that. I’ll always need a base in Ireland and I don’t see why it wouldn’t be Fermanagh.”
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