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NINETEEN HAND HORSE FEATURING NATHALIE ARCHANGEL |
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mwe3.com presents an interview with
Nathalie Archangel: Yes! It is lovely to speak to you again and we need not go 30 years between phone calls! My first record, Nathalie Archangel, did not match my vision but was certainly a step along the road. My second record Owl, is a work of which I am still very proud. Revel, however, is the best work I’ve ever done. Mark Montijo: Nathalie’s album, Owl was my first experience of her music. I fell in love with her listening to that album. We were friends for a long time and that grew into something more. mwe3: Was Mark a fan of Nathalie’s music back then or what do you think of it now? At least to my ears, then, it sounded like she was very much ahead of her time. Mark Montijo: Nathalie’s writing is deeply personal and yet meaningful to many listeners. mwe3: You did mention Ray Wylie Hubbard as a more contemporary musical influence in the context of your new Revel album. How did you get into Ray’s music and also, you mention him on the Revel track “Remarkable Dude”. What turns you on about Ray’s music and the whole “outlaw country” music sound in general? Do you have some favorite song by Ray or other Outlaw Country artists?
mwe3: You said that after Owl you walked about from music and studied nursing. You also said you got into studying acupuncture too. Tell us about the turn to medical from music. Nathalie Archangel: Yes! If you scratch an awful lot of healthcare people, you will find a wealth of creativity; the two go together well. I have never been more proud to be part of an industry. The commitment, compassion and sacrifice healthcare workers have been making quietly on a daily basis is simply awesome. I am not frontline... I have the utmost respect for those who are. True heroes. Mark Montijo: I think the theme that runs through both music and healthcare is the opportunity to be of service.
Nathalie Archangel: Horses are magnificent aren’t they? I’m a Water Tiger. I like cats in spite of their murderous bent! Purring is at the perfect frequency… Mark Montijo: I grew up on a large horse ranch in California. When I was about four years old, the Budweiser Clydesdales’ truck needed repair and they pulled into our ranch and asked if they could stay while their truck was being fixed. The horses made a huge impression on me. I wanted this band to have a strong name that conjured up a powerful iconic image related to country music and the West. mwe3: How did you decide on the band members for Nineteen Hand Horse? I asked you about Brad Sears, so how did you hook up with Brad and then record the Revel album at Brad’s Consumer Music studios. You actually have a number of guitarists on Revel and plus Mark is a great guitarist. Tell us about the guitarists on Revel and how the musicians intersect so to speak, playing together on the various tracks. Is there a core band for Nineteen Hand Horse? Also how did you meet Jae-E who did the engineering and mixing? Nathalie Archangel: The band has gone through different permutations during the past few years but the lineup you get to know in ‘Horsin’ Round’ is current. The guys, Lowell Stephenson, Ralph Ruiz and Brad Sears are awesome and quite good on camera too as it turns out! Brad has a great music store, studio, conservatory in Vallejo and turns it into the Songbird Lounge once a month. We decided to build on that theme... We met James (Jae-E) through Brad, he recorded, mixed and added his amazing production skills as well. He is incredibly talented.
mwe3: Thank you for sending me the lyrics to Revel, the whole album. You are underrated lyricists. So tell us how you tend to write songs together as half the songs are co-writes between Mark and Nathalie. Nathalie Archangel: I’ll let Mark field that one. Unfortunately, I tend to be a bit autocratic about songwriting but we have collaborated quite successfully! Mark Montijo: Our collaborations happen in many different ways. For example, I had the first two lines of “19 Hand Tale”. Nathalie took that and ran with it. Sometimes Nathalie has an idea that isn’t complete and sometimes she brings a song that is complete. We both have the attitude that we are in service to the song and we try to give the song the room it needs to grow into what it is supposed to be. mwe3: Tell us about the lead off video for Revel. I also saw your “Horsin’ Around At The Songbird Lounge” video which is brilliant. Tell us about planning videos for Revel and about the “Horsin’ Around” show video. Is Horsin’ Around planned to be a kind of internet TV show? You mentioned it’s like a cross between Marty Stuart Show and Hee-Haw! You shot 3 episodes already but only one has come out so far?
Mark Montijo: Our first video for Revel was “Just Another Honky Tonk Night.” We are so fortunate to partner with an awesome team and we also have a video for “Ghost Train” which should be done soon. To me, “Ghost Train” is about our journey through many lifetimes of reincarnation. mwe3: Tell us about your next video, which you said was for “Ghost Train”. What is the story line for the “Ghost Train” video? What is the song about? That song is one of the co-writes on Revel with Mark. The lyrics are truly haunting. Are the lyrics a metaphor for something more serious than just a train? Hence the “Ghost” aspect? What do the “stops” mean like “Addiscombe” and “Pantaleeown”. Nathalie Archangel: The “Ghost Train” video will be really beautiful! The film collective with whom we work are truly genius and they include our de facto manager Sue Jereczek… she is everything to us, and the brilliant John Butterfield, Kerry Gudjohnsen, who provides voice over for “Horsin’ ‘Round” and Matthew Gardner. They are so talented that it is almost unfathomable! All the places referenced in the song are rumored to be haunted train stations…
Mark Montijo: When I was defending my dissertation at the end of my doctoral studies, there was a small herd of horses in a pasture next to the small room we were in. I could see their ears which were pointed toward me as I stood there explaining my dissertation, the horses were all staring at me like they were supporting me. At that moment I realized that it was my work training horses that helped me develop the qualities that helped make me a good psychotherapist- qualities like listening generously, and paying attention to the quality of the space between us. mwe3: Tell us about “Something Beautiful (Maybe Tonight)”. Sounds like Nathalie had a rough childhood. Is the song about family dysfunction? It sounds almost like a throwback to the late ‘80s and the guitar solo is excellent in the middle. Nathalie Archangel: : I love the guitar solo too! Yes it is all true.... Mark Montijo: That solo was done on a Fender Stratocaster through a Matchless amp with a Fulltone Full Drive 2 overdrive pedal. Nathalie had recorded some vocal sounds in her high soprano range and I played off that with some harmonics and then I went into the solo. mwe3: There’s another song about tracks on the album called “The Withering Romance Of Trains”. Is that kind of a spoof on the early days of trains? Funny how you mention the Tesla. Nobody wants a train when they could drive a cost-free electric car? Nathalie Archangel: I based it on David Alan Coe’s “You Never Even Call Me By My Name” and that whole bit about the perfect Country song.... I love trains and electric cars but I have a very practical side and have needed to cover a fair number of miles efficiently. Should this song reach Elon’s ears and he feel compelled to provide us a vehicle in exchange for the wonderful concept for a bumper sticker, I would graciously accept.
Nathalie Archangel: It has to do with the past, survival and moving forward. These are recurring themes I suppose.... Mark Montijo: Kevin Gallagher did that solo on a lap steel. It’s a great solo… perfect for the song. mwe3: “Better As A Goddess (Than A Lover)” is another highlight on Revel. Can you tell us how you both worked on the parts to the song abnd who wrote the part about the temple worship? It’s haunting and funny at the same time. Another brilliant co-write. Nathalie Archangel: We had a great time with that! Mark should elaborate on the guitar riffs but I am responsible for the lyrics. I made a whole lot of little cultural asides on the record.... Robert, did you catch them all?
mwe3: For the guitar crowd can Mark tell us something about the different guitars, amps and effects that he features on the Revel album and also how did Mark share the guitar leads and rhythms with Brad Sears? Mark Montijo: I did all the guitar solos except for the guitar solo after the fiddle solo on “Remarkable Dude.” Wes Theobald played that solo. He also mixed that song. He’s an incredible guitarist. For Revel my main guitar was my Telecaster which is loaded with a set of Peter Florence’s pickups. I also used a Fender Stratocaster, a Les Paul and a Gretsch Electromatic with TV Jones pickups. I used two amps; a Matchless Lightning and a ‘66 Fender Princeton Reverb. These amps gave us exactly the sounds we were chasing. mwe3: Can you tell us about the art work for Revel? I know it’s a sign in many different places but the ‘Corona Light” sign in the background kind of cracks me up. Tell us about working with Sue Jereczek on the album art and any other details in the planning of the album art?
mwe3: So thankfully Revel came in spite of a global pandemic. California today and tomorrow the world and the universe! Thank you both again. Nathalie Archangel: Thank you Robert! We truly appreciate your kindness and strong support.
mwe3.com presents the lyrics for Revel
VERSE 1: I’m ready - ready as I’ll ever be CHORUS: Well it’s going to be a wonderful night VERSE 2: My Tele - is just a part of me CHORUS: Well it’s just another honky tonk night VERSE 3: We gave the best years of our lives to a rock n roll scheme CHORUS: Well it’s going to be a magical night
The Withering Romance Of Trains VERSE 1: There are many songs written of the romance of the choo choo PRE-CHORUS: Prison - Mama - whiskey - drama - pain CHORUS: VERSE 2: I heard Johnny sing of the relentless railroad cars PRE-CHORUS: I think - prison - Mama - whiskey - drama - pain CHORUS: VERSE 3: Boxcar Willie found a Hobo Heaven by the wheels PRE-CHORUS: CHORUS: CHORUS: Fuck the train I want a Tesla
19 Hand Tale VERSE 1: When you told me that you love me I stood 19 hands tall CHORUS: uuuuh keep your paddock clean VERSE 2: On the day I met you I felt 19 Hands high CHORUS: uuuh keep your paddock clean VERSE 3: I gave up datin’ now I’m 19 Hands shy CHORUS: uuuuuuh keep your paddock clean
Better as a Goddess (Than a Lover) VERSE 1: CHORUS: Hold there – I’m better as a goddess than a lover VERSE 2: CHORUS: BRIDGE: Ooo Take me to the temple let me worship at it now VERSE 3: I’ll play Mrs. Venus de Milo in shades CHORUS: Go stare - I’m better as a goddess than a lover TAG:
Remarkable Dude VERSE 1: Once in a while - I can get out from under me CHORUS: Wish I could - eat at the Black Bear and be happy there VERSE 1: Once in a while - I don’t drip dread from every pore CHORUS: BRIDGE: VERSE 3: Once in a while - I gotta price out what plastics cost CHORUS: Guess I’m going to - eat at the Black Bear and be happy there
Revel VERSE 1: PRE-CHORUS: But you will my friend CHORUS: So you better start VERSE 2: There’s a man sitting back in the corner PRE-CHORUS: CHORUS: So you better start BRIDGE: VERSE 3: See the lady over there talking nonsense PRE-CHORUS: Read the writing on the wall CHORUS: So you better start Revel - Repeat
How ‘Bout That?! VERSE 1: CHORUS: And the world don’t need a rubber legged dancer who’s VERSE 2: Ooh I swore I’d never look back CHORUS: And the world don’t need a mother fucking dancer BRIDGE: I never thought I’d have another damn thing to say TAG: And I just let go of my arrogant assumption
Fete Ginette CHORUS: And we’ll be rocking’ til the morning light - We’re gonna fete Ginette tonight VERSE 2: Bet Crepe Suzette tastes sweet -That’s a fine thing to eat CHORUS: And we’ll be rocking’ til the morning light - We’re gonna fete Ginette tonight BRIDGE: Meet me on Bourbon Street - I want to see Marie Laveau’s VERSE 3: Boici ginette a la - Here come the choruses of oolala CHORUS: And we’ll be rocking’ til the morning light -We’re gonna fete Ginette tonight CHORUS: I know in NOLA we’ll be feelin’ alright - We’re gonna fete Ginette tonight
Something Beautiful (Maybe Tonight) VERSE 1: CHORUS: Something beautiful - Tell me why it never seems to go right? VERSE 2: CHORUS: Something beautiful - tell me why it never seems to go right? BRIDGE: And I wonder - if it works out for anyone else? CHORUS: Something beautiful - how come it seems to never go right? CHORUS: Something beautiful - Tell me why it seems to never go right?
Ghost Train VERSE 1: CHORUS: VERSE 2: CHORUS: Ghost Train - Moving up and down the track CHORUS: Ghost train - What passes comes around again Ghost train - Was your brother next he’ll be your friend VERSE 3: The wheels came off this line CHORUS: Ghost Train - Moving up and down the track TAG: Ghost train…
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A certified survivor of the major upheavals in the music scene during the second half of 1980s, and early ‘90s, singer-songwriter Nathalie Archangel returns to the century 21 pop scene with a 2021 album and a new group that is well worth checking out. Nathalie’s new album Revel and her band, Nineteen Hand Horse features her songs, lead vocals, production and arranging with solid support and aid by 19HH co-founder Mark Montijo, who brings his vocals, guitar and songwriting to a number of tracks here. The two are joined by Mark “Lemonade” Monroe (vocals, harmonic, sax), while a host of musical luminaries adds further luster and excitement to Revel’s musical proceedings. Living up to its humorous marketing plan, complete with noir cover art for Revel, some of the tracks here do indeed fall into the modern day Country & Western genre, yet Nathalie’s music is thankfully still so unique and special so that classic C&W sound is just another musical touchstone on the prismatic sounding Revel. The best way I can describe Revel is as a cross between Bowie-inspired Glam rock and a fresh blend of modern country-rock as played in the year 2021. Speaking about being promoted as a modern day Country & Western music band, Nathalie confesses, “Our band became humble interns of the genre; playing outlaw covers in honky-tonks up and down the West Coast,” adding “Then I started to write; and it was fun, light and flowing again like when I was a kid; except now I have an awful lot more experience to draw from.” Back in the late 1980s and early ‘90s, just as the compact disc was unwinding as the main source of recorded music, Nathalie blew away the pop music world with her 1987 Columbia Records debut cassette Never Let Me Down Again, (which was never released in the US on CD) while her 1991 MCA Records debut CD Owl stunned pop fans. Now, after decades of working in the health care world, and meeting her husband and now bandmate in Nineteen Hand Horse, both Mark Montijo and Nathalie Archangel honor the promise of a new musical revelation with Revel.
mwe3: I told Nathalie about how I was a big fan of her first album, I remember with that album closing track called “Never Let Me Down Again” way back in the late 1980’s and then how her Owl stunned me in 1991. Then I remember I somehow tracked you down and got your phone number in 1991. Do you remember speaking to my Mom who then got me on the phone? How do you look back on both your first album on Columbia and then Owl, which was your MCA album? Why did you say looking back, Never Let Me Down Again was disappointing to you? 
Nathalie Archangel: I always appreciated Country Music and included a cover of “Stand By Your Man” on my 3rd record Raven. My focus, however, was rock and pop. As time passed, I found the direction pop music was going to be increasingly less relatable. At a certain point I just saw myself as thoroughly irrelevant and stopped doing music entirely. It was Mark who reopened my eyes to the possibilities. He began listening to satellite radio and on a couple of long car trips down Hwy 101, invited me to just listen to both the Classic and Outlaw Country stations – ‘Willie’s Roadhouse’ and ‘Outlaw Country’. At a certain point, something shifted… like the generator turning on and the Tesla coils engaging in Frankenstein, suddenly, I got it! We put together a band to play this music, just for the sheer joy of playing and with no expectations. Then, it happened. I heard “Mother Blues” by Ray Wylie Hubbard and had, shall we say, an epiphany. Here is this man who has been doing his music for many years without winning the Rock & Roll lottery, shall we say? And I hear that famous quote about keeping his gratitude above his expectations and I really hear it! I was able to reframe my perception of myself as irrelevant into something I could revel in.
mwe3: How did you come up with the name of your new band Nineteen Hand Horse. Could you shed some light on the name Nineteen Hand Horse? I know Mark grew up on a horse ranch too. Funny how in Chinese astrology I’m a horse born in late March 1954. Are either of you horses in Chinese astrology? 
Mark Montijo: Nathalie, myself and Mark Monroe are the founding members of the band. Brad and Ralph have been with us since the beginning. They are both excellent players. Lowell is a drummer well-respected in the local music community and is a great addition with his playing and his vocals. He adds that beautiful high harmony you hear in the choruses . 
Nathalie Archangel: “Horsin’ ‘Round” was modelled (loosely) on ‘The Marty Stuart Show’ without the budget! We decided to incorporate other elements aside from music to provide a bit more depth, if you will. As it happens, my other talent is a bit dark and weird and Mark’s works very well with his esoteric knowledge! The result is something truly bizarre but I hope quite fun. It is directed by the wonderful Dwayne Soriano and shot by Dwayne and cameraman extraordinaire Don Stone, who is as talented as he is lovely. We aim to do these shows on a regular basis and have a brilliant team in place. 
mwe3: Mark is also a psychologist. How did he get into that?
mwe3: “How ‘Bout That?!” is another favorite track on Revel. Are you annoyed on that track? Is it about facing the future and putting the past to bed both the good and bad? The steel guitar adds some verified country moods but the guitar solo puts the icing on the cake. Maybe it’s a put-down of the dance music craze of the 1980s?
Mark Montijo: The main riff was inspired by Bill Kirchen’s solo on Commander Cody’s “Hot Rod Lincoln” and the feel of the shuffle is reminiscent of Dwight Yoakum’s “Fast As You” - two awesome players and composers. 
