Nate Mercereau | "Joy Techniques"
by Jake Carver
Multi-instrumentalist, producer, and songwriter Nate Mercereau unveils the Miko Revereza-directed video for “Joy Techniques,” liked here. The song, which features Terrace Martin on saxophone, is the title track off Mercereau’s debut album, out July 12th on his own label How So Records. In celebration of the album’s release, Mercereau will play The Virgil on that same day. Joy Techniques is available for preorder now via howsorecords.com.
Joy Techniques is an ambitious, psychedelic album, recorded over several years in his Echo Park studio. The album was produced without the use of keys, instead opting for a collection of rare ‘70s and ‘80s guitar synths including the Roland GR300 paired with the Roland G303 guitar, Roland GR500 and GR700s, the Korg X911 and a handful of others. Like the album, the video for “Joy Techniques” is avant-garde, featuring overlaid, stylized footage of foliage and other bucolic imagery.
Mercereau’s classical training and multi-instrumental virtuosity shines on Joy Techniques. He’s adept in the French horn, Moog, celeste, guitar, bass, piano, and countless other instruments. Mercereau also has an extensive list of performance, songwriting, and production credits, including instrumentals on Jay-Z’s chart topping 4:44, songwriting credits on Rhye’s critically acclaimed Blood, and production on Leon Bridge’s Good Thing, which peaked at #3 on the Billboard Top 200.
Photographed by: Alexander Gay