Nathan Cavaleri (born 18 June 1982) is an Australian blues rock singer-songwriter and guitarist, and a former child actor. He issued two albums as a solo artist, Jammin' with the Cats (1993) and Nathan (1994). He has been a member of various groups including Dirty Skanks (2003–2010), and Nat Col and the Kings (2010–2012). At the age of six Cavaleri was diagnosed with leukaemia and has been in remission since he was 13. As a child actor he appeared in the American film Camp Nowhere (1994) and starred in Paws (1997).
Biography
1982–1992: early years
Nathan Cavaleri was born on 18 June 1982 and grew up in Ruse, New South Wales. His father, Frank Cavaleri, was a bricklayer and part-time guitarist; his mother is Joanne, and the couple also have a younger son. He received chemotherapy treatment and, by May 1993, he was in remission. King described Cavaleri as "the future of the blues". Its B-side, "Nat's Blues", was co-written by Cavaleri with his father, Frank.
1993–1995: Jammin' with the Cats & Nathan
On 12 April 1993 he issued his debut album, Jammin' with the Cats, on Little Rock/Mushroom Records, which was produced by "Buzz" Bidstrup (Riptides, GANGgajang, The Sunnyboys). For the album he worked with Jimmy Barnes, Diesel and Tommy Emmanuel.
In September 1993 Cavaleri and Barnes released a cover version of the La De Da's' single, "Gonna See My Baby Tonight", from November 1971. Barnes provided lead vocals, rhythm guitar and produced the track, Bidstrup was on drums, Michael Hegerty on bass guitar and Jeff Neill on rhythm guitar and backing vocals. The album provided two singles, "Workin' on It" (September 1994, No. 55 in Australia) and "(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right" (March 1995).
On 18 October 2000 Cavaleri performed during the Opening Ceremony of the 11th Paralympic Games in Sydney.
Cavaleri reflected on his early career said in 2004, "When I was doing all of that stuff (it) doesn't even feel like it was my life ... It feels like a haze. It feels like a dream. It just feels like images in the head, almost like a western movie." "I just totally escaped music ... It can be a dark time when you’re finding yourself creatively." Dirty Skanks released the album Voluptuosity on Jaynie Records in 2004.
By 2010 Dirty Skanks was renamed as Nat Col and the Kings. Nat Col and the Kings released three EPs in 2010, 2011, and 2012 on Jaynie Records.
2012–2018: health concerns
By 2012 Cavaleri started having health concerns and noticed he was getting panic attacks before gigs. Cavaleri got through a few more gigs but soon decided he did not want to keep on touring. He suffered serious insomnia, anxiety and depression. Cavaleri met with doctors who suggested medication, but he instead adopted a more holistic approach; completing a mindfulness course, visiting a psychologist regularly, meeting a clinical nutritionist and exploring integrated medicine. He undertook activities away from music, like surfing and meditation.
At the start of 2016, Cavaleri quietly made his return to the stage for the first time in three and a half years, performing one song with Kenny Jewell at a local gig. This performance reignited Cavaleri's passion for music.
In October 2019, Cavaleri released the 4-track EP Demons. All four tracks were released as singles, with the single "29 Gold Stars" receiving rave reviews from triple j, double j, MusicFeeds and PileRats.
2022–present: Miracles
In April 2023, Cavaleri announced the forthcoming release of his fourth studio album, Miracles. The album was released on 16 June 2023.
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! scope="row"| Jammin' with the Cats
|
- Released: April 1993
- Label: Little Rock/Mushroom <small>(D24012)</small>
- Formats: CD
| 33
|-
! scope="row"| Nathan <br>
|
- Released: October 1994
- Label: Little Rock/Mushroom <small>(D31235)</small>
- Formats: CD
| 71
|-
! scope="row"| Demons
|
- Released: 6 August 2020
- Label: Nathan Cavaleri
- Formats: Digital Download, streaming
|}
Singles
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year
! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| AUS
| rowspan="2"| 2018
| -
| rowspan="4"| Demons EP
|-
! scope="row"| "Rising Sun"
| -
|-
! scope="row"| "29 Gold Stars"
| rowspan="2"| 2019
| -
|-
! scope="row"| "Chucky"
| -
|-
! scope="row"| "Castles in the Sky"
| rowspan="3"| 2020
| -
| rowspan="3"| Demons
|-
! scope="row"| "Hug"
| -
|-
! scope="row"| "Before You Check Out"
| 2022
| -
| rowspan="3"| Miracles
|-
! scope="row"| "Querencia"
| rowspan="2"| 2023
| -
|-
! scope="row"| "Broken Lines"
| -
|-
|}
Filmography
Film
- Camp Nowhere (1994) as Steve
- Paws (1997) as Zac (final film role)
Television
- Baywatch Nights (1995) as Willy Logan / Willy Simon