KESMAR puts a nostalgic spin on indie-pop with “Is It You I Miss”

APRIL 1ST, 2023 | by EMMA SCHOORS

Sydney-based musician Nathan Hawes, known professionally as KESMAR, has reinvented his sound and revitalized his creative process with the release of brand new single, “Is It You I Miss.”

COVID found the world hunkered down, and Hawes, whose discography dates back to 2018’s “Feel It Again,” turned to classic methods of production to pass the time. “I had a lot of time on my hands like everyone else. I just became absolutely obsessed,” he says of vintage recording equipment and tape machines, which have since become vital to his production process. His upcoming record, “Always Chasing Rainbows,” is the genre-blending result of that fresh obsession, as well as hard-fought proof of his personal growth. “Really, it's the truest form of art I’ve created so far,” Hawes says. “In all of its mistakes and blemishes, I had to learn to make crucial decisions and to fit into a time frame, all very new things for me but pushed me to actually finish a record, and I love it.” 

Hawes occasionally posts clips on his Instagram from memorable moments in music history alongside his “FOREVER” playlist on Spotify, named for songs that will, you guessed it, live forever. One post features Eagles singing their iconic acapella rendition of Steve Young’s “Seven Bridges Road.” Others compile Al Green, Big Star, Carpenters, Dennis Wilson, and The Monkees. The Australian multi-instrumentalist holds an obvious admiration for the classics, and has spent his fair share of time reading/watching up on how his favorite records were made. “I'm just a sucker for any studio footage from [the 70’s],” he says, and “Is It You I Miss” boasts a matching, nostalgic soft-rock feel, lightened by Hawes’ gentle vocals. The accompanying music video keeps with this sunny disposition, and will surely set the mood for the album as a whole. 

We had the chance to speak with KESMAR just ahead of the release of “Is It You I Miss” about the necessary challenges posed by 8-tracks, his recent must-listens, and the meaning behind his upcoming record, “Always Chasing Rainbows.”

RAMBLE: Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with us! For anyone who isn’t familiar with your work, how would you describe KESMAR’s sound?

KESMAR: ‘Organic,’ ‘Pop,’ ‘Derivative.’ 

RAMBLE: Your newest single, Is It You I Miss, is inspired by your love of Italian disco. Can you take us through your thought process in writing this track, both lyrically and sonically? 

KESMAR: This was a song that went through 3 different versions. I really couldn't pinpoint what I wanted to achieve. I ended up bringing it back to the absolute basics: drums, bass, electric keyboard and a guitar. As soon as I took out all of the unneeded parts, it fell into place. 

RAMBLE: A signature part of your writing process is the use of vintage recording equipment and tape machines. How and when did you originally take interest in these methods of music making?

KESMAR: I think the interest just came from reading interviews on how all of the classic records were made. It came from a place of curiosity. When COVID first hit and I had a lot of time on my hands like everyone else, I just became absolutely obsessed. 

RAMBLE: I was taking a look at your “FOREVER” playlist on Spotify. There’s so much gold in there, from Iain Matthews to Bobby Caldwell to Glenn Frey, all of whom seem to inform your sound. What are some songs you’re loving right now? 

KESMAR: Let’s see… I've been really into Elton John's [Goodbye] Yellow Brick Road, there's a pretty great documentary on how they made that record. I'm just a sucker for any studio footage from that time. I'm also really into [the] record that Dave Mason and Cass Elliot made together in the early 70’s. 

RAMBLE: In a recent interview with Luna Collective you mentioned Tony Visconti and T. Rex, and how an 8-track allows an artist to commit to every idea. That also poses a challenge, and requires time and patience — is challenging yourself creatively an important part of your work?

KESMAR: I think so. When you work along it's easy to develop habits and traits, some can be good but naturally you want to feel like writing something different. The concept of only using 8 tracks or only having 8 tracks can limit all of the other bells and whistles, making a tune with the basics will bluntly reveal a good song or a bad song.

RAMBLE: Your debut album, Always Chasing Rainbows, is due May 12th. What are your emotions surrounding that? This must be an intense yet exciting period in your creative life. 

KESMAR: Yeah, I can't wait for everyone to hear it! These album cycles can go in waves of confidence and doubt but im feeling good at the moment. 

RAMBLE: How did you come upon the album’s title? 

KESMAR: It basically just came from different conversations I've been having with other artists, the want and need to always be moving onto the next, never really 100% satisfied, but in a positive way, always wanting to do better, chasing that rainbow you know!

RAMBLE: Lastly, you’ve mentioned that these upcoming songs represent the sound you’ve wanted to achieve for quite a while. In what ways do you feel you’ve evolved as an artist through the making of this record? 

KESMAR: This record I wrote, recorded and mixed front to back, so really it's the truest form of art I’ve created so far. In all of its mistakes and blemishes, I had to learn to make crucial decisions and to fit into a time frame, all very new things for me but pushed me to actually finish a record, and I love it! 

Check out the official video for “Is It You I Miss” below.