Natalie Bergman- "Shine Your Light On Me"
Photo by Robin Laananen
Natalie Bergman, whose music career was launched and amplified with her exhilarating and soulful sibling duo Wild Belle, suspends the secular jubilee for her debut solo record Mercy out May 7th with Third Man Records. Written and recorded during a quiet and solitary sabbatical from her funk and pop amusements, Bergman incarnates contemporary psychedelic gospel psalms sown from her faithful upbringing and spiritual credence.
With the arrival of “Shine Your Light On Me,” the second single and video from Mercy, Bergman shares some reflections on the creation of the new record.
Mercy is your upcoming record out May 7th with Third Man Records and is a moving spiritual affair rooted in rock and roll's gospel music origins. Who are some of the influences from the early gospel/rock beginnings that informed your latest sound?
I was listening to a lot of early Johnny Cash before I started writing Mercy. “It Was Jesus” became my morning anthem. “I Shall Not Be Moved” is another favorite. He sings about Jesus in a way that makes a nonbeliever believe. It’s uplifting music. He’s filled with that good hope.
I was also listening to the compositions of Ethiopian pianist Emahoy while writing this album. She has such a romantic approach to religion. Another important musician is Tropicália artist Jorge Ben. My favorite song of his (from the album A Tábua de Esmeralda) is called “Brother.” This song has informed my life in a beautiful way. It’s a very simple message, “Jesus Christ is my Lord, Jesus Christ is my friend.” If you listen to the rest of the lyrics, “brother, brother, prepare one more happy way for my Lord, with many love and flowers and music,” I think this is a noble approach to life. Prepare a way for your brother, your neighbor, with love, flowers and music.
Photo by Robin Laananen
Late in 2019, you experienced unthinkable tragedy by the loss of your father and stepmother in a traffic accident. Bearing the weight of that loss, what role did music and visual art play in the difficult emotional period that followed? Was its importance heightened as you grieved or did your artistic motivations take an absence during that time?
Music has always played a role in my life as a healing agent. My story is the same story people have been singing about for hundreds of years…heartbreak. My approach on this record is the same thing I’ve always done; turn to music to heal the hurt. I had a few months where I couldn’t fathom making any music or art ever again because I felt like I lost my identity when my father died. So yes, my motivations were absent for some time. And then I found my way again. And the music found me like it always does.
On the front end of the creation of the new record, you spent some time observing silence at a monastery in Chama Valley. How did this period of quiet writing and reflection differ from previous creative environments you experienced while preparing your earlier records?
The first months after the accident were very quiet and introspective. I had to recalibrate and find my compass again.
Photo by Robin Laananen
Mercy is your debut solo record stepping into your own lane from your previous work collaborating as Wild Belle with your brother Elliot. What pieces of Mercy were most challenging to concoct by yourself? What aspects of the independent creation were most productive compared to working with Elliot or a band?
One of the fun things about making an album is bringing the people you love together to make something beautiful and unique. When you’re making music with others there is an energy that cannot be achieved when you’re making it alone. There is a different energy that comes from a solo body of work. It’s contemplative and self-examining. It can be a spiritual experience. This album is much more serious than my previous work.
How has your interpretation and appreciation for gospel and faith institutions evolved from your childhood to today? How did this transformation impact your art?
It’s a hard time to be a Christian fighting the good fight when so many people have tainted the name of Christianity. Historically religion has done atrocious things in the name of God. I’m not interested in that kind of religion. I’m interested in a religion rooted in the true teachings of the scriptures; love. I’ve always had a strong faith, but it wasn’t until losing my father that I started to sing so explicitly about it.
Purchase Natalie Bergman’s new album Mercy out 5/7 via Third Man Records.