Nathaniel Rateliff

Nathaniel David Rateliff (born October 7, 1978) is an American singer and songwriter based in Denver, Colorado, whose influences are described as folk, Americana and vintage rhythm & blues. Rateliff has performed with a backing band called the Night Sweats for an R&B side project he formed in 2013. He has released three solo albums, two solo EPs, and one album as Nathaniel Rateliff & the Wheel.

Life and career Rateliff was born in St. Louis, Missouri on October 7, 1978. He grew up in Hermann, Missouri, learning to play the drums at age seven, often performing at church, where he also assisted his mother with writing hymns. His father died in a car crash in 1993, leaving behind a record collection which Rateliff would eventually discover. In 1996, Rateliff traveled to Denver on a missionary trip, returning to Hermann after. Later, he and his friend and lifetime collaborator Joseph Pope III left Hermann for Denver permanently, forming the band Born in the Flood. Despite increasing success with Born in the Flood, Rateliff turned down an offer from Roadrunner Records, and shifted his focus to a more stripped-down, solo effort, playing somber, singer-songwriter content under his name and "Nathaniel Rateliff & the Wheel".

2007–2014: Nathaniel Rateliff & the Wheel

In 2007, while still performing with Born in the Flood, Rateliff began recording and performing more personal, somber content both solo and with BitF bandmate Joseph Pope III (bass/guitar/vibes/organ/harmonica). The project expanded with more live performances, adding Julie Davis (upright bass/vocals), Carrie Beeder (organ/violin), James Han (keys/vibes), and Ben Desoto (drums/flute). Shortly after the breakup of Born in the Flood, Rateliff released Desire and Dissolving Men on Public Service Records. Nathaniel Rateliff then released In Memory of Loss in the USA on Rounder Records in May 2010, and then in the UK on Decca in March 2011. In Memory of Loss was recorded with producer Brian Deck (Iron & Wine). On September 17, 2013, Rateliff released Falling Faster Than You Can Run on Mod y Vi Records. On the same day he set out on a tour with The Lumineers and Dr. Dog, in support of the album.

2013–present: Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats

Beginning in 2013, while still performing and recording with earlier solo and group projects, Rateliff embarked on a more upbeat, soulful sound with longtime collaborator Joseph Pope III and other collaborators in shows around Denver and Boulder. On June 24, 2015, the self-titled release of Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats via Stax Records was announced with the lead single being "S.O.B.". The Night Sweats feature Joseph Pope III (bass), Mark Shusterman (keyboards) and Patrick Meese (drums). Other band members include Luke Mossman (guitar), Wesley Watkins (trumpet), and Andy Wild (saxophone). According to the Los Angeles Times, this was "an album Rateliff made as a last-ditch effort before throwing in the towel on his music career, only to see it go viral and turn into a runaway hit."

In November 2016, he released the 8-track EP A Little More From... Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats released a new album, titled Tearing at the Seams, on March 9, 2018. After spending a week recording 18 songs with his band, Rateliff was not content and returned to the studio for five days with his band's rhythm section and three more days with the horn section, producing seven to eight new songs he felt were "appropriate, the right tempo and the right mood". The band shared the record's lead single, "You Worry Me". Produced by Richard Swift and being offered in 12-track standard and 14-track deluxe editions, the band assembled in Rodeo, New Mexico for the initial writing and recording sessions for the album. "You Worry Me" is built on an insistent, swaggering pulse, and powered by echo-heavy guitars and throbbing bass and drums, with horns joining midway through as Rateliff sings a message of support and encouragement to someone who appears to be losing faith. The first release was the strain AJ's Cherry AK. The band developed a friendship with Willie Nelson when they met at Farm Aid in 2016.

In November 2019, Rateliff announced a solo tour to support a new solo album via Stax Records. On January 8, 2020, Rateliff announced And It's Still Alright, his first solo album in nearly seven years, which was released February 14 via Stax Records.

Rateliff supported the Bernie Sanders 2020 presidential campaign, and Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats performed at a campaign rally in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

On December 17, 2020, Rateliff released "Redemption", a new song he wrote for the Apple Original film Palmer. The release came as a surprise to Rateliff's fans, since he did not announce it beforehand.

In early 2021, Rateliff appeared in his first Saturday Night Live performance on February 13. His two-song set included the recently released "Redemption" and "A Little Honey" off of Tearing at the Seams.

On November 5, 2021, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats released their third studio album, The Future, via Stax Records. In support of the album, SiriusXM The Spectrum introduced Night Sweats Radio with Nathaniel Rateliff, which debuted October 22, 2021, airing new episodes every Friday. Their fourth studio album, South of Here, was released on Stax Records on June 28, 2024.

Recognition

Rateliff developed a dedicated following within the Denver music community. The New York Times dubbed him a Denver local folk-pop hero. Spin praised his "massive, alluring" voice. Billboard dubbed the unsigned singer-songwriter a "must hear." This wave of acclaim led to a solo tour opening for The Fray, which brought his work to the attention of national and international audiences. Rateliff was featured on the late-night music television series Later... with Jools Holland on BBC in 2011. Rateliff has also shared the stage with artists such as Bon Iver, Mason Jennings, Iron & Wine, Ben Howard, Michael Kiwanuka, The Low Anthem, Mumford & Sons, Laura Marling and Rosanne Cash, and Joe Walsh, among others, including The Lumineers in Denver for the United States presidential election debates, 2012. On August 5, 2015, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats made their late-night television debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The band played Ontario's Wayhome festival and Austin City Limits in 2016. Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats were the featured musical guests on Saturday Night Live on February 13, 2021. Rateliff & The Night Sweats performed their song "Face Down in the Moment" on The Tonight Show.

Discography Albums Studio albums As solo artist + List of albums, with selected chart positions Title Album details Peak chart positions US USFolk BEL(FL) BEL(WA) CAN NLD SCO SPA SWI UK Desire and Dissolving Men(as Nathaniel Rateliff & the Wheel) Released: November 6, 2007 Label: Public Service Records Format(s): CD, LP, streaming — — — — — — — — — — In Memory of Loss Released: May 4, 2010 Re-released: May 19, 2017 Label: Rounder (US), Decca (UK) Format(s): CD, LP, streaming — — — — — — — — — — Falling Faster Than You Can Run Released: September 17, 2013 Label: Mod y Vi Records Format(s): CD, LP, digital download, streaming — — 187 — — — — — — — And It's Still Alright Label: Stax Format(s): CD, LP, digital download, streaming 78 2 14 64 82 90 7 72 24 63"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

As Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats + List of albums, with selected chart positions Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications US BEL(FL) IRL NLD Label: Stax Format(s): CD, LP, digital download, streaming 17 19 3 192 7 94 23 20 11 27 RIAA: Gold BEA: Gold BPI: Silver IFPI SWI: Platinum MC: Platinum Tearing at the Seams Released: March 9, 2018 Label: Stax Format(s): CD, LP, digital download, streaming 11 47 7 64 12 — 60 78 34 33 MC: Gold The Future Released: November 5, 2021 Label: Stax Format(s): CD, LP, digital download, streaming 165 — 116 77 — — — — — 69 South of Here Released: June 28, 2024 Label: Stax Format(s): CD, LP, digital download, streaming 145 — 142 — — — — — 90 group=upper-alpha|South of Here did not enter the UK Albums Chart, but peaked at number 27 on the UK Album Sales Chart. UKAmer. Label: Stax Format(s): CD, LP, digital download, streaming 59 22

As Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats + List of albums, with selected chart positions Title Album details Peak chart positions USFolk BEL(FL) Label: Stax Format(s): CD, LP, digital download, streaming 18 27 121 22

EPs As solo artist + List of albums, with selected chart positions Title EP details Shroud EP Released: April 11, 2011 Label: Decca Format(s): LP Closer Released: January 27, 2015 Label: Mod y Vi Format(s): LP, digital download, streaming

As Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats + List of albums, with selected chart positions Title EP details Peak chart positions US USFolk AUSHit. BEL(FL)Mid UKAmer. Label: Stax Format(s): CD, LP, digital download, streaming 149 11 3 21 2 8 8 7 What If I Released: June 2, 2023 Label: Stax Format(s): digital download, streaming — — — — — — — —"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles As solo artist Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album USDL US AAA US Rock BEL(FL) "Early Spring Till" 2010 — — — — — — In Memory of Loss"You Should've Seen the Other Guy" 2011 — — — — — —"And It's Still Alright"2020 — 1 33 group=upper-alpha|"And It's Still Alright" did not enter the Flanders Ultratop 50, but peaked at number 14 on the Ultratip chart. — — — group=upper-alpha|"What a Drag" did not enter the Flanders Ultratop Top 50, but charted as an extra tip on the Flanders Ultratop Bubbling Under chart. 21 5 27 group=upper-alpha|"Redemption" did not enter the Flanders Ultratop Top 50, but charted as an extra tip on the Flanders Ultratop Bubbling Under chart. US Rock CANRock IRL SWI "Howling at Nothing" 2015 — — — — — — — — — —Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats"I Need Never Get Old" — 43 3 group=upper-alpha|"I Need Never Get Old" did not enter the Wallonie Ultratop Top 50, but charted as an extra tip on the Wallonie Ultratop Bubbling Under chart. MC: Gold"Look It Here" — — — — — — — — — —"S.O.B." 3 8 7 — 36 2 58 98 9 183 RIAA: Platinum IFPI SWI: Gold 2016 — group=upper-alpha|"Wasting Time" did not enter the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, but peaked at number 21 on the Adult Alternative Airplay chart. — — group=upper-alpha|"Out On The Weekend" did not enter the Flanders Ultratop 50, but peaked at number 6 on the Ultratip chart. 2017 — — group=upper-alpha|"Baby, It's Cold Outside" did not enter the Flanders Ultratop Top 50, but charted as an extra tip on the Flanders Ultratop Bubbling Under chart. 2018 — 18 26 group=upper-alpha|"You Worry Me" did not enter the Wallonie Ultratop 50, but peaked at number 22 on the Ultratip chart. — group=upper-alpha|"A Little Honey" did not enter the Rock Songs chart, but peaked at number 40 on the US Rock Airplay chart. (featuring Lucius) — — group=upper-alpha|"Coolin' Out" did not enter the Flanders Ultratop 50, but peaked at number 13 on the Ultratip chart. — group=upper-alpha|"Hey Mama" did not enter the Rock Songs chart, but peaked at number 35 on the US Rock Airplay chart. 2020 — — — — — — — — — — Fug Yep No. 3"Survivor" 2021 — 46 — — — 2 — — — —The Future"Love Don't" — — — — — — — — — —"What If I" — — — — — — — — — —"Face Down in the Moment" — group=upper-alpha|"Face Down In The Moment" did not enter the Rock Songs chart, but peaked at number 40 on the US Rock Airplay chart. 2022 — group=upper-alpha|"I'm On Your Side" did not enter the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, but peaked at number 40 on the Alternative Airplay chart. — — — — — — — — — —"Get Used to the Night" — — — — — — — — — —"Call Me (Whatever You Like)" — — — — — 14 — — — —"South of Here" 2025 — — — — — — — — — — "—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released in that territory.