- The Tudor, Aficionado (Jun 14, 2011)
"Somewhere between Radiohead and a more intellectual Jack Johnson"
- Mike Smith, LMG
Cape Town is the city of cold surf, rugged mountains, raw creativity and thus, not surprisingly, Nate Maingard. A self-taught musician, Nate has been playing guitar for over ten years and singing his whole life, from teenage gigs around the mother city to busking his way through the UK. In early 2011 he committed to playing music full-time and the rest is notated in the songs spanning his experiences of the world.
In a small village on the Atlantic side of the Cape Peninsula, Nate grew up in his father’s guitar-making workshop. Maingard Guitars being some of the best in the world, he learnt from an early age the origins of good music- from the best wood to use when making an acoustic guitar, to the lilting sounds of Cat Stevens and The Beatles. But since those early days of sawdust and wood-smells, Nate has made his very own instrument –named Melody- and sound to go with it. His voice has been compared to Radiohead's Thom Yorke, his lyrics have reminded audiences of the depth of Leonard Cohen and his easy style and likeable tunes brings the likes of Jack Johnson to mind.
Nate has performed at Splashy Fen, White Mountain Folk Festival, Grahamstown National Arts Festival, Flamjangled Tea Party, Up The Creek and The Drake Fest, while his tireless touring has made his shows popular all over South Africa. In 2012 he was presented with a Standard Bank Ovation Award at South Africa’s National Arts Festival. In the words of Pedro Carlo (who runs both Splashy Fen and White Mountain), “I hired Nate Maingard to perform at this year's White Mountain Festival. He blew us away and would highly recommend him to any other festival out there.”
While his stage energy and presence are honest and real, Nate has been known to disappoint fans at a daytime gig. When asked for another song, he grinned and declared, 'I'm sorry, but the waves in Scarborough are cooking, I'm going to get barrelled'! This is easily forgiven when one hears the inspiration nature brings to his songs- from 'All I need's a patch of sunlight, from which to watch the world go by' in Cat's Got Time, to 'I hold onto my love like a sailor holds his breath in the last moment of life' in Just Like You.
With songs varying from indie-folk to soft rock, Nate's original lyrics make his music unique and catchy. 'The Wild Land' is a richly textured song about that place in all of us, where civilisations' shoulds and should-nots have no place, a place where 'sex still breathes'.
In 2011 Nate recorded and released his debut album ‘The Wild Land’, of which Muse Magazine’s Rachel Briant said, “Above all, Nate Maingard is a brilliant lyricist. Listening to his album I am enthralled at his ability to string words together in a way that is altogether intriguing, imaginative and chilling. Combined with sensitive guitar chords, it’s enough to give me spine tingles."
A brief year later Nate recorded his second album, ‘Home, live in studio, with all new songs written in a year of music, touring, love, loss and laughter.
About his lyrics Nate states: 'Often-times I stand in front of a room full of people, sharing what a song is about and I hear myself saying things I didn't know before; it's as though I write the songs and only discover what they're about as I learn them more myself'. His words are powerful and passionate, often with an honesty that forces the listener to take their guard down, and that’s when the strength of his music hits you right in the stomach.
As Angela Weickl said in her review for yourLMG magazine: “Maingard writes protest songs for lovers and love songs for rebels.”
Nate is currently based in London, UK, connect with him at his website (http://natemaingard.com) or on twitter: @natemaingard.
*Thank you to Hanli Prinsloo for the Bio*
Slow It Down
Nate Maingard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That the world
Spins too fast
Leaves some folk behind
On this ship
Without a mast
Oh no no no
Somebody please
Slow it down
Slow it down
I see you beside the road
With your life
Packed in a case
I try to understand
But then you're gone
Without a trace
Oh no no no
Somebody please
Slow it down
Slow it down
Slow it down
Somebody please
Slow it down
For a while
Slow it down
Words become a blur
And are lost
Misunderstood
But I'll stand here on the edge
Try to catch
All I should
Oh no no no
Somebody please
Slow it down
Slow it down
Slow it down
Somebody please
Slow it down
For a while
Slow it down
Slow it down
The song "Slow It Down" by Nate Maingard expresses the idea that the world moves too quickly and some people get left behind. The metaphor of a ship without a mast describes how some people are directionless and lost. The singer pleads for someone to slow down the world so he can understand it better. He sees someone on the roadside with their life packed away, and he tries to understand their situation, but they disappear quickly. This could represent how difficult it is to connect with people in a fast-paced world. The singer feels like words become a blur and are easily misunderstood, but he tries to catch all he should.
The message of the song is to slow down, so people can connect with each other and truly understand their situations. The theme of the song is relevant in our society where people are always busy and rushing, and it has become difficult to have meaningful conversations and connections. The lyrics are simple, but they have a strong emotional impact that inspires listeners to slow down and focus on what truly matters in life.
Line by Line Meaning
I know this to be true
I am certain that what I am about to say is accurate
That the world
The global society
Spins too fast
Moves at an excessive rate
Leaves some folk behind
Causes some individuals to be disregarded
On this ship
In this life journey
Without a mast
Without guidance or direction
Oh no no no
Expression of distress
Somebody please
A request for assistance
Slow it down
To reduce speed or pace of life
I see you beside the road
I recognize you sitting pathside
With your life
Having all of your belongings
Packed in a case
Contained in a suitcase
I try to understand
I attempt to comprehend
But then you're gone
But then you disappear from view
Without a trace
Without leaving any evidence of your existence
Oh no no no
Expression of distress
Somebody please
A request for assistance
Slow it down
To reduce speed or pace of life
Words become a blur
Words start to lose their meaning
And are lost
Disappear and become unknown
Misunderstood
Incorrectly interpreted
But I'll stand here on the edge
But I will remain here, on the cusp of understanding
Try to catch
Attempt to comprehend what is being said
All I should
Everything that I ought to make sense of
Oh no no no
Expression of distress
Somebody please
A request for assistance
Slow it down
To reduce speed or pace of life
For a while
For a temporary period
Slow it down
To reduce speed or pace of life
Slow it down
To reduce speed or pace of life
Slow it down
To reduce speed or pace of life
Contributed by Abigail Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@olawaleabiola5723
This is a kinda song that keeps ringing in your head all over and all over again, if I get to rate this video I'll give it 5 stars.
@fzclarke
"Somebody, please slow it down".... I love it!!! It's so beautiful.
@amrieger
I want to say that, right now I am going through about the worst time my life has ever known in it's 48 years. Nate's music sings to my heart. Sometimes it makes me smile, sometimes it makes me cry, which is ok, sometimes you need a good cry to clear things in your head and heart! I am so grateful that Nate followed me on twitter, prompting me to check out his music. I know I will make it through this rough patch of my life, and being able to listen to artists and, frankly, magicians like Nate will be a huge factor in that survival. Thank you Nate for all the happiness (and sadness(in a good way)) you bring into my heart with your poetry! The world needs more Nate Maingard's, although I have a feeling the mold was broken after he was created! Have a blessed day everyone!
@LilyDelane
oh my gosh please never stop making music. I don't know how to explain it, it just makes me feel some type of way, and it's amazing.
@NinaChristian
This song is exquisite, brings tears to my eyes. Your voice is just breathtaking
@NinaChristian
Your very welcome ***** , I am enjoying your music immensely. I think your amazing!! Best of luck to you. Nina
@NinaChristian
Your very welcome ***** , I'll be definitely looking for your new music. You're awesome babe, not me. But thanks for being sweet. Happy Valentines Day!! Un sacco di amore mia amico. Nina
@danielwheatley2000
It's the right time Nate.. The world needs it and I needed it. Thank you
@denisetomu7069
3 years since I discovered this song. Still one of my favorites.
@claudiacasper4580
This song is in my head almost daily since I heard it the first time... Love it!