Free Nationals Explained

Free Nationals
Origin:Los Angeles, California
Current Members:
  • José Ríos
  • Ron "T.Nava" Avant
  • Kelsey Gonzalez
  • Callum Connor
Years Active:2010–present

Free Nationals are an American R&B band formed in Los Angeles, California. The group consists of José Ríos (lead guitar, backing vocals), Ron "T.Nava" Avant (keyboard, rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Kelsey Gonzales (bass guitar, bass synth) and Callum Connor (drums, percussion, backing vocals).[1] [2] They frequently accompany Anderson .Paak as his backing band.[3]

History

Guitarist José Ríos and keyboardist Ron Avant met Anderson .Paak while studying at Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California in the late 2000's.[4] [5] Bassist Kelsey Gonzalez and drummer Callum Connor joined them soon after and they formed the Free Nationals. The band went on to produce for Anderson and frequently tour with him. The idea for their name came from their mentor Shafiq Huisayn. Free Nationals is a term which means the first settlers of America before Columbus came, the people indigenous to the land. They took their own interpretation of this, being 'indigenous to the music' by paying homage to the influential musicians before them.[6]

Their performance with Paak at his NPR Tiny Desk Concert in August 2016 is possibly their most significant appearance to date.[7] The YouTube video has amassed over 104 million views so far, making it the 3rd most popular video in the Tiny Desk series.[8]

The band released their debut single "Beauty & Essex" featuring Daniel Caesar and Unknown Mortal Orchestra on October 9, 2018.[9] Their second single "Time" featuring Mac Miller and Kali Uchis, released on June 12, 2019, was the first official posthumous song from Miller since his death in September 2018.[10] On December 13, 2019, they released their self-titled debut album through OBE and Empire Distribution.[11] It was nominated for Best Progressive R&B album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.

Musical style and influence

Their music has been described as having a "future retro, funky and soulful sound".[12] [13] The band state that they 'stay indigenous to the funk' by paying tribute to their inspirations who include legendary musicians Stevie Wonder, B.B. King, Herbie Hancock and Al Green.[14]

Members

Discography

Singles

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
YearPeak chart positionsAlbum
NZ
Hot

[19]
"Beauty & Essex"
2018Free Nationals
"Time"
201922
"On Sight"
"Eternal Light"
"Shibuya"
"Gangsta"
202412

Guest appearances

TitleYearAlbum
"ALLSTAR"2020FORTHEWORLD
"Photo ID (Free Nationals Remix)"We Love Dogs!
"Buddy"2021
"Pretty Lady (Free Nationals Remix)"
"Strawberry Blush"2022LEGEND

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

!|-|2021| Free Nationals| Best Progressive R&B Album | | style="text-align:center;"|[20] |-|}

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2019-12-13. Free Nationals – 'Free Nationals' album review. 2020-09-26. NME Music News, Reviews, Videos, Galleries, Tickets and Blogs NME.COM. en-GB.
  2. Web site: Free Nationals. 2020-11-01. Genius. en.
  3. Web site: 2019-12-15. Free Nationals: Free Nationals review – a smooth ride with Anderson .Paak's band. 2020-09-26. The Guardian. en.
  4. Web site: Crameri. Nick. 2019-12-11. Free Nationals - Free Nationals — Sungenre Review. 2020-11-02. Sungenre. en-AU.
  5. Web site: No longer "wearing all black, standing in the back": Free Nationals step out. 2020-12-20. PILERATS.
  6. Web site: Anderson's Pack: Meet the Free Nationals. 2020-10-22. Complex. en.
  7. Web site: Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals: Tiny Desk Concert. 2020-10-29. NPR.org. en.
  8. Web site: 2020-04-20. The Free Nationals Are Joined By Anderson .Paak And Others For Their Tiny Desk Set. 2020-10-29. UPROXX. en-US.
  9. Web site: Prevost. Dinorah. 2018-10-14. Intro: The Free Nationals bring you Beauty & Essex, England. 2021-06-19. Medium. en.
  10. Free Nationals Announce 'Time' Featuring Mac Miller. 2020-10-24. Billboard. en.
  11. Web site: Free Nationals Drop Self-Titled Studio Album. 2020-09-27. Complex. en.
  12. Web site: Kellman. Andy. n.d.. Free Nationals: Biography. AllMusic. January 23, 2021.
  13. Web site: Fletcher. Harry. December 13, 2019. Free Nationals - Free Nationals review: Sublime quartet are brimming with boundless potential. Evening Standard. January 23, 2021.
  14. Web site: Free Nationals. 2020-10-22. Spotify. en.
  15. Web site: Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals Ride The Wave. 2020-12-20. A Nation of Billions.
  16. Web site: Ron Avant. 2020-12-20. Musicians Institute Hollywood. en-US.
  17. Web site: Kelsey Gonzales and Jose Rios of Anderson .Paak and The Free Nationals – Orange Amps. 2020-12-21. orangeamps.com.
  18. Web site: Drummerszone - Callum Connor. 2020-12-20. Drummerszone.com.
  19. Web site: The Official New Zealand Music Chart. 2020-10-24. The Official NZ Music Chart. en.
  20. Web site: 2020-11-24. 2021 GRAMMYs: Complete Nominees List. 2020-11-24. GRAMMY.com. en.