When did you start playing music and how did you get started?

I started playing music with my brothers when I was eight years old.  We had a band called The Vitamin Balloons.  I was the lead singer, while my older brother played the keyboards, and my younger brother played the drums.  We wanted to be rock stars when we got older.

Do you feel that as a young musician, living in such a fast-paced world, using modern technology (digital) has helped you find success? With that, has music offered you any sense of internal peace and/or connection to yourself and/or society? If so, in what way and on what level?

Yes, I definitely feel that modern technology has helped The Happies to find success.  Because of it, we were able to produce our own music before being discovered, and found several supporters over the internet.

Music helps me to connect with society in that I enjoy enriching others' lives.  I realize how much I love music, and I'm happy when people connect and enjoy what I give them.  It's also for me to enjoy, and I'd have to say that it does give me internal peace because my own music comes from the heart.

Like its very own language, music permeates culture and society in ways we cannot ignore. Understanding and participating in the world of music is undeniably a means of communication, expression, and discovery. Do feel it is important for people, starting at a young age, to fully and freely experience music, and if so why?

I've found that the more I explore decent music, the more I understand and appreciate various cultures and human expression.  I believe that music is an important part of society and can be an important means of communication of ideals and truths.  I think children should start exploring all types of music at a young age, with the guidance of a parent or guardian.

Would you be the person you are today if it weren't for your involvement in making music?

My life would have been a lot different if I didn't write music.  In fact, I was quite athletic growing up, and since I always try to become an expert in what I do, I probably would have tried to master some sports instead.  Music consumed a lot of my time growing up, and songwriting helped develop intuition and emotional maturity.

Choose one song that you sing or wrote or both and talk about how it makes you feel, i.e. including the lyrics, rhythms, and/or melodies; what's the significance of the sound or words or beat?

There's a song that I wrote for my other band "Bruce" that has intense emotion and relevance to my life.  The song is called "Sugar Bang" and is about sugary foods and how they mess up my life by affecting my chemical balance.  The beat thumps like gunshots, and I sing about my struggle with temptation of sweets and how it could ruin my chemical mindset.  I believe that this can find relevance in each person's life in that we all struggle with some kind of temptation that could negatively alter our lives.  When we give in it's like shooting ourselves in the foot.

You're also an accomplished photographer; how did you get started and how does photography fulfill you (in ways that music doesn't)?

I got involved in photography because I have another career in modeling.  I found that I would often be directing the professional photographers that worked on me to help them get the best possible shot.  I decided that I could do very well as a photographer, so I bought a professional camera, built a portfolio, and established a business all within one year.  It's a lot of fun and provides a good, easy income.

Wow! You're a professional model and also going to massage school.  How do you find time for everything?

Yes, I also go to massage therapy school hoping to finish the Master Bodyworker program by the end of this year.  I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology from BYU, so I want to combine psychotherapy with therapeutic bodywork to give my clients a full range of mind and body healing.

It's hard to find time to do everything while in school, but I have chosen these careers because I can make my own hours and be my own boss.  I find that the variety of careers keeps my mind active, and I plan on spending my mornings on therapy, my late afternoons on photography, and my evenings with either band.  The modeling is easy to fit into my schedule because my agent finds the jobs for me, and it's usually just a few times a month.

And to top it all off, you have a degree in psychotherapy. You're quite the well-rounded person. How do you see all of your talents coming together, or do you?

I believe that my talents and careers are all related because they are all means of self-expression and each portrays a different element within my personality.

What are your goals and aspirations for the future?

My goals include helping my bands to become more successful, finishing the Master Bodyworkers program this year, and most importantly--starting a family someday.

Well, put me on your list for eligible young women.  Seriously though, what advice would you give to aspiring musicians and/or photographers?

If you have the talent in this area and you believe you will succeed, you will.  Don't ever doubt yourself.

Thank you Nate for your time.  Best of luck to you with all of your ventures!

To hear some of Nate's Music and find out performance dates, please go to: http://www.thehappies.net/ or to view more of his photos, please visit his website: http://www.natebphoto.com/.  If you would like to send him an email, his address is: njbiddulph@hotmail.com.

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