Newcastle alt-folk artist Nate has released Alby’s Song, a moving new single that captures both a deeply personal story and the fresh chapter he’s carving out as a songwriter and performer.
The track arrives as his third release since rebranding from Lo Monaco to performing under his own name — a change he says was about starting again with clarity and confidence.
“There really isn’t much more to it other than stepping away for 18 months, working hard in the studio and deciding I wanted to start fresh,” Nate told Newcastle Live.
“Lo Monaco is my last name, and I just didn’t feel like it served me as an artist. I wanted something quick and easy that everyone was going to remember.
“I feel like I finally found my feet as an artist, and I wanted to reflect that in every aspect.”
That new sense of footing is central to Alby’s Song. Nate describes the single as nostalgic yet hopeful, blending heartfelt storytelling with a renewed focus on authenticity.
“Now that I’m 30, I feel like I spent my twenties stumbling through life not really knowing who I was or what I wanted to do/become as an artist. Now my vision has never been clearer, and I really want to give my music the push it deserves,” Nate explained.
“Alby’s Song has a really nostalgic production and brings a sense of hope and happiness. I love listening to it. It’s been finished and in the bank for quite a while, ready for release — and that’s always a good sign that I can still enjoy listening to it.”
At its heart, the song tells the story of the birth of his son, an experience Nate calls both challenging and transformative.
“It is literally the story of my son’s birth. He didn’t have the easiest entrance into our world. We were in the hospital for three days before he came along, and I felt so helpless,” Nate said.
“I wanted to write something to not only express my feelings but also as a gift of appreciation to my wife for bringing the best little boy into this world. The birth didn’t go to plan for her, and it just broke my heart seeing the look of defeat and devastation come over her because of it. Definitely an ode to every mumma out there.”
The release also follows a pivotal period on the road. In 2024, Nate spent months in the United States, headlining grassroots shows and joining The Talbot Brothers on tour. The experience reshaped his outlook.
“Simply that there is no quick fix or blueprint to ‘making it’ in today’s climate. I learnt a lot on those two trips, both personally and musically. I suppose it was another defining reason why I felt the need to start fresh,” he said.
“It gave me a fresh look into how the scene works over in the States, too. I feel like I would now be way more prepared if I were to ever head back over there as Nate.”
While his music is often compared to the likes of Dermot Kennedy, Bon Iver and City and Colour, Nate says those influences now serve more as fuel than a template.
“Lately, I’ve been using these artists as a pre-studio pump up. Kind of like how athletes will listen to a certain song to get them ready for a game,” Nate explained.
“I listen to these artists to feel a certain type of way, but then when I get into the studio, I kind of just let the songs go in the direction they want to. You might hear these artists in the track because I’ve been influenced by them over the years, but with my latest projects, it would certainly be indirectly, not directly.”
For Nate, grounding himself in Newcastle is now just as important as international opportunities.
“Local community is everything. My main goal at the moment is to build a solid fan base here in Newy to really help push my career forward. I know how much Novocastrians love to support their own,” he said.
“In the past, I have looked elsewhere. But this time I’m starting with my hometown. Newcastle is a pretty special place in a lot of ways. But we are very rich in the arts here.”
Alby’s Song is just the beginning of what’s to come. The single forms part of a six-track EP titled Crowns, which Nate has been building over the past two years.
“The EP Crowns is pretty much an in-order story of the past six years of my life.”
“I have really been working my bum off to get a catalogue together so I am able to release good music consistently. You can expect to hear a more organic production with more of a focus on storytelling and my vocals. My goal is to bring an emotional yet uplifting live show which showcases my songwriting and emotion.”
You can listen to Alby’s Song by hitting your favourite streaming service. To find out more about Nate visit natesings.com.
