Rising Stars: Meet Nate Holt of South Kansas City, MO

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nate Holt

Hi Nate, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in Kansas City, MO and moved to Lawrence, KS for college, where I lived for about 25 years, met my partner/spouse Amber, and bought our first home. We moved back to Kansas City a few years ago, just before Covid apparently opened the door to whatever upside down dimension we’re in now. I learned not too long ago that I had a distant relative who was a concert pianist and from whom we believe I inherited the music gene. Growing up I was like a lot of other kids sitting in front of the stereo waiting for an awesome song to come on and tape recording it with a boom box. My mom bought a piano for my sister and I when I was in 3rd grade or so.. I remember playing along to songs, learning by ear – Pink Floyd was one of first bands whose music I loved playing and still one of my favorite bands today. I started lessons about a year later and unfortunately stopped when I got to high school, although that’s when I started to realize what loved to do and still love doing today – playing great music with better people. I’m incredibly fortunate and grateful to have met, played with and become friends with so many unbelievably talented people who’ve taught me humility, professionalism, confidence, and, authenticity – they’re the main reason I still have a sort of child-like excitement and relationship with music.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ve been fortunate to have been raised in a good family and given opportunities, some that I’m ashamed to say I’ve not taken advantage of to the fullest, to put it mildly… Personally, I’ve experienced tragedy and unimaginable heartbreak just like everyone else, and in relationships with other people finding balance and working to build and grow is ongoing and often challenging. Looking back, I’m so thankful for the love, support, and encouragement people have given me to continue my musical endeavors. As far as actually playing music, I did struggle a lot with nerves, or stage fright. Not so much playing in bands at first, but in church, recitals, in college- juries each semester (you would select music to work on in lessons with your instructor, then perform them in front of a handful of faculty). My leg, usually the right one that’s used for the sustain pedal, would shake uncontrollably sometimes, I still struggle with sheet music – there have been a several times when I’ve had to keep going regardless of how it sounded; more than enough embarrassing and humbling moments. But you learn, hopefully, how to be better or prepare better and keep going. That’s probably one of the most important lessons I’ve learned, is to keep getting better; confidence comes with that and you can have fun, take risks, make mistakes and move past them.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Although I went to school and graduated with a degree in Music Education, I’ve been working in the transportation/logistics industry for 16 years. I’m currently a pricing analyst for CH Robinson, one of the largest global logistics providers.

Creatively, I produce, write, perform and anything else I have a chance to do that’s music-related. I can play a handful of instruments, but am primarily a piano/keyboard player and recently started playing the accordion. If I don’t see some of my friends or other people I know for a while, they’ll usually ask “how many bands are you playing in now?” I have and do play in a lot of bands! I’ve definitely bitten off more than I can chew and forced and made it through some interesting situations, and probably will again. But right now, the bands I play in are with some of the best people I know so I’m focusing on being present and appreciating the current moment.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I touched on it, or part of it earlier – that’s simply to keep moving forward. Don’t ignore any sort of misstep, reflect enough to understand what lesson can be learned, but keep the slate clean. Whether short term, in -the-moment performance, some passage you’ve been singing or playing wrong for weeks or whatever it is. I don’t know if there’s a one most important lesson off the top of my head.. I guess I’d say be honest about what it is you want or feel like you should do and why, do it for yourself first, believe in yourself and respect yourself enough to show up, be accountable, know your role, be present and part of the team. That’s something I still work on and try to improve.

Pricing:

• Artist name: Asterales IG: @asteralesmusic
• Music: asterales.bandcamp.com
• Current bands: Arthur Dodge & The Horsefeathers, Hello BiPlane, Michael Tipton & The Scoundrels, Semper Viridis, Half-Tiger Half-Bear, Heavy Petty (Tom Petty tribute), The Facklers (Ween tribute), DJNOTADJ

Contact Info:

• Website: https://asterales.bandcamp.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/asteralesmusic (@asteralesmusic)
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@asterales9460