Aaron Nathans

Delaware songwriter Aaron Nathans has made his reputation on writing songs about nothing.This polished, charismatic performer is best known for his distinctive choice of song topics, whether they’re squirrels, politicians or grapefruit. He can crack you up while making you think. But he’s no novelty act; Nathans is a storyteller with a guitar.“Nathans is a clever writer and his lyrics are where he shines,” read a January 2006 review in Rick’s Café newspaper in his former home of Madison, Wisconsin. “Like any good storyteller, his talent is in his ability to instantly impart importance to the simplest of things and to articulate a feeling in only a few words.”In November 2007, Nathans was one of 18 songwriters selected from a pool of 600 to compete in the Williamsburg Live Songwriter Competition semifinals in Brooklyn. Organizer Ben Krieger reported in his blog that Nathans “ripped the evening wide open” during the first night of the competition, charming the crowd with his song “Same Old You,” about a heavy metal rocker at his orthodox Jewish wedding.Nathans recently relocated to Wilmington from Madison, where he was part of a warm community of songwriters who attended each other's shows and covered each other's songs.In Delaware, he has been performing at such venues as Stoney’s British Pub in Wilmington, the Home Grown Café in Newark, and the Delaware Music Festival in Dewey Beach. In addition to his original numbers, he performs a wide range of covers.He released his debut album to enthusiastic reviews in spring 2005. The folk-rock record crackles with honesty, good humor and heartfelt storytelling. It offers sonic variety and a palpable sense of place, from a Rockwell portrait of a New England morning to cold nights in the American West.Nathans is a two-time Madison Area Music Awards nominee, including for Best Unique Artist 2006. His music has appeared on National Public Radio’s “Open Mic,” Minnesota Public Radio, Wisconsin Public Radio, 105.5 Triple-M radio in Madison, WHRV radio in Norfolk, VA, and WORT-FM radio in Madison.He was a finalist at the SolarFest Songwriter Showcase in Timouth, Vermont in July 2005. Dar Williams took the stage later that day. He has opened for veteran singer-songwriter Claudia Schmidt, popster Eric Hester, and piano sensation Mary Bue.Aaron Nathans is a New Jersey native, and grew up in Bexley, Ohio.