An Interview with NASH OVERSTREET on Moving On From Hot Chelle Rae, Going Solo And More!

Former Hot Chelle Rae member Nash Overstreet is revealing his true sound as a solo artist through his debut EP titled U Don’t Get 2 Do That, which was recently released.

Nash tapped into the genres of music that influenced his upbringing, going back to soul, R&B and pop, and channeled his life experiences through lyrics. He co-wrote and produced the four-track pop/R&B project and opened up about past relationships, nights on the road and the desire for love.

“After being in a band for so many years and writing for other artists, it was really difficult to find my sound and who I was as an artist.” explains the multi-award winning singer. “Once I’d finished producing the title track of this EP, it became much clearer which songs would be for other artists, and which songs would be for my project.”

The title-track is giving fans a glimpse of what to expect on the EP and full-length project to come in the future.

“ ‘U Don’t Get 2 Do That’ was the first song I wrote that I 100% connected to musically and lyrically as an artist,” explains Nash.  “Being about a run-in with an ex, I love that the lyrics can be seen as her perspective, as well as mine. It’s all about the rights you lose and give up once you’re no longer in a relationship with someone. Whether that’s being able to have your late night hookups, hang out with the same friends, or even text to say hi.  There are a million different ways I relate to this song, and I’m hoping it connects with listeners the same way.”

Visually, Nash wanted to create a video that expressed the story of the single, while putting his artistic ideas on camera. So, he partnered with Director Sean Hagwell, and worked with Deirdre Barnes (who he’d met while out on Justin Biebers “Believe” tour) to create a stimulating display of dance, body art, and symbolism.

Nash is a multi-platinum, American Music Award, two-time BMI Pop award winning songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist and artist from the band Hot Chelle Rae. The band has had success with major pop hits like “Tonight Tonight,” “I Like It Like That”, “Honestly,” and others.

Currently, Nash is continuing to write songs while also releasing his first EP as a solo artist titled U Don’t Get 2 Do That available now. Nash has penned songs for music A-listers including Britney Spears, Meghan Trainor, and Rachel Platten. Additionally, he has worked with Taylor Swift, Gavin Degraw and songwriters like Mike Posner, Martin Johnson, Rock Mafia, Claude Kelly, Nasri Atweh and others.

“If my music can speak to people, and it gives them something to identify with… that means everything to me. Even something as simple as someone falling in love with a beat I’ve made, or the sound of my voice… that’s why I do what I do.  It’s been a long time coming making this EP and I’m ready and happy to finally show everyone who I am as an artist.”

For more information on Nash Overstreet and U Don’t Get 2 Do That, please visit nashoverstreet.com

Read more about Nash in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time! What are some words you would use to describe 2016? What were some of the highlights for you and your music? What are you most excited about for 2017?

2016 was an incredible year for me. I finally had my first few songs recorded and released on major artists since Hot Chelle Rae.  Between having success as a songwriter/producer, I also put together my sound and visuals for who I am as a solo artist.  I self-produced my EP, and shot my first video over the summer, and went out of the country for a couple shows  during the fall, while finalizing the EP. 

Growing up, did you always want to be a musician? Can you recall your first musical memory?

I had my short moments of wanting to be an astronaut or pro skater as I grew up, but since I was four or five years old, I knew I wanted to do music.  My dad was an artist and so I was constantly getting to go on tour with him, or sit in the studio as a child. It’s hard to remember my first “musical” memory, but I do remember being 11, and learning four chords on guitar while my dad was out of town. 

You just released your first solo EP called “U Don’t Get 2 Do That.” What was it like putting this collection together?

It took a long time to find my sound… while making sure it was honest and organically me.  In the end, I just did what came naturally. Without emulating my influences, I wanted to allow them to show through my records, as well as write songs from a personal place.  Once I wrote the title track, the rest of my EP happened pretty quickly.   I knew which songs fit, told my story, and I knew where to take them sonically.  I wrote the majority of the songs in Nashville, and am fortunate enough to have worked with several amazing songwriters on this project. Nikki Williams, Shane Stevens, Jimmy Robbins, David Hodges, and David Marshall all played a huge part in this music. 

I understand that in this EP, you open up about past relationships, crazy ex-girlfriends and much more. What was it like creating such a personal collection?

I was on a plane with a musician friend, and he’d said something about writing painfully accurate truth into songs. That idea hit me and changed the whole way I wrote. If I’m gonna release a song, I have to have a connection with the lyric and sentiment. I’m sure there will be times when I elaborate on that and make it more relatable in general… but to start writing, I always want to FEEL the music in some way. 

I’m curious to know what it was like transitioning from being in the band Hot Chelle Rae to being a solo artist? What’s the biggest challenge you faced?

I think the hardest thing, even in the world if being a songwriter for other artists, was to break the perception of what style of music I made.  I’ve always leaned more r&b/pop than anything.  When I first started taking sessions after Hot Chelle Rae (HCR), people would play me ideas that were rip-offs of my band.  It took making music from scratch on a guitar or piano to discover what I produce it into being. 

I am so blessed to have had the career we did with HCR, Ryan and Jamie(who I’m still best friends with). It taught me a ton, and I wouldn’t change that for anything. Now I just get to explore who I am, and let people hear what I’ve been creating. 

Do you still spend time with the guys of Hot Chelle Rae? Do you think that you guys will work on new music together again?

We have worked on music between then and now for sure and continue to be incredibly close. Ryan actually picked my single!  We may get back together and make music. We may not. What we all crave right now in life, is happiness.  We are excited for ourselves and each other.  Only time will tell what all we do together, but we are legit friends always. 

Do you have plans to tour much this year to promote your EP? 

I’m definitely going to putting together a live show. I don’t have any dates confirmed yet, but I’ll be posting them on Facebook and my social pages as they are set. I was able to test out a set in the Cayman Islands this last November. I went down to perform a few shows during pirates week. It got me way too excited to start touring again. 

What artists have continued to inspire you and your music? Who would you absolutely love to work with in the future?

I’ve always really loved an artist that can put feeling and soul into a recording. It’s surprisingly hard to do. People I grew up on, that still are doing great things inspire me like crazy. Usher, Timberlake, Pharrell, John Mayer, Kanye…. they all continue to make me wanna be great. 

At the end of the day, what do you hope your fans take away from your music? What do you hope is the message of your songs?

I hope that they feel like a song is their personal anthem. If they’re falling in love or breaking up, or even making out with strangers and feeling something that surprises them, I want my music to be that soundtrack. I’m also very into the rhythm of a record, so even if they ignore the lyrics completely, and are dancin’ and feeling the beats… I’m doin my job. 

Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers about yourself and your music?

I’m just excited to finally have released my first EP, and share the video with the world. I worked long and hard to make something great, and will keep on doing what I love. I look forward to hearing how my music resonates with my fans through Facebook, twitter, snapchat, Instagram and all that mess!