Free Nationals

Free Nationals are an American R&B band formed in Los Angeles, California consisting of Jose Rios (lead guitar, backing vocals), Ron "T.Nava" Avant (keyboard, backing vocals), Kelsey Gonzales (bass guitar, bass synth) and Callum Connor (drums, percussion, backing vocals).[3][4] They frequently accompany Anderson .Paak as his backing band.[5] Their self-titled debut album has been nominated for Best Progressive R&B album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.[6]

Free Nationals
Freenat2020
Free Nationals in 2018. From left to right: Jose Rios, Ron "T.Nava" Avant, Kelsey Gonzales and Callum Connor
Background information
OriginLos Angeles, California
Genres
Labels
Associated acts
Websitefreenationals.co
Members
  • Jose Rios
  • Ron "T.Nava" Avant
  • Kelsey Gonzalez
  • Callum Connor

History

Guitarist Jose Rios and keyboardist Ron Avant met Anderson .Paak while studying at Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California in the late 2000's.[7][8] Kelsey and Callum 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.[9]

Their performance with Anderson .Paak at his NPR Tiny Desk Concert in August 2016 is possibly their most significant appearance to date.[10] The YouTube video of which has amassed over 61 million views so far, making it the most popular video in the Tiny Desk series.[11]

A total of five singles were released for their debut album throughout 2018 and 2019. Their 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.[12][13] On December 13, 2019, they released their self-titled debut album through OBE and Empire Distribution.[14]

Their first tour as an independent band began in February 2020 with the first concert at Billboard Live in Tokyo, Japan.[15][16] They returned to NPR headquarters for a second Tiny Desk Concert in March 2020 with Anderson. Paak, Chronixx and India Shawn.[17] 'Indigenous to the Funk', a 21 minute documentary about the band premiered on their YouTube channel on December 18, 2020.[18]

Musical style and influence

Their music has been described as having a "future retro, funky and soulful sound".[19] 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.[20]

Members
  • Jose Miguel Serrano Rios – lead guitars, backing vocals[21]
  • Ron Jerome "T.Nava" Avant – keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals[22]
  • Kelsey Miguel Gonzalez – bass guitar, bass synth, backing vocals[23]
  • Matthew Louis Merisola (better known as Callum Connor) – DJ, drums, percussion, backing vocals[24]

Discography

Studio albums
Title Details
Free Nationals

Singles
Year Title Peak chart positions Album
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[25]
2018 "Beauty & Essex (ft. Daniel Caesar, Unknown Mortal Orchestra)[26]" - Free Nationals
2019 "Time (ft. Mac Miller, Kali Uchis)[27]" 22
"On Sight (ft. JID, Kadhja Bonet, MIKNNA)[28]" -
"Eternal Light (ft. Chronixx)[29]" -
"Shibuya (ft. Syd)[30]" -

Other Appearances
Title Year Album
"ALLSTAR"[31]

(Rae Khalil featuring Free Nationals)

 2020 FORTHEWORLD
"Photo ID (Free Nationals Remix)"[32]

(Remi Wolf featuring Free Nationals)

 non-album single

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2020 Free Nationals Best Progressive R&B Album Nominated [33]

References
  1. Kellman, Andy (n.d.). "Free Nationals: Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  2. Fletcher, Harry (December 13, 2019). "Free Nationals - Free Nationals review: Sublime quartet are brimming with boundless potential". Evening Standard. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  3. "Free Nationals – 'Free Nationals' album review". NME Music News, Reviews, Videos, Galleries, Tickets and Blogs | NME.COM. December 13, 2019. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  4. "Free Nationals". Genius. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  5. "Free Nationals: Free Nationals review – a smooth ride with Anderson .Paak's band". the Guardian. December 15, 2019. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  6. "Free Nationals". GRAMMY.com. December 15, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  7. Crameri, Nick (December 11, 2019). "Free Nationals - Free Nationals — Sungenre Review". Sungenre. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  8. "No longer "wearing all black, standing in the back": Free Nationals step out". PILERATS. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  9. "Anderson's Pack: Meet the Free Nationals". Complex. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  10. "Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals: Tiny Desk Concert". NPR.org. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  11. "The Free Nationals Are Joined By Anderson .Paak And Others For Their Tiny Desk Set". UPROXX. April 20, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  12. Free Nationals: Time - Music Streaming - Listen on Deezer, retrieved October 24, 2020
  13. "Free Nationals Announce 'Time' Featuring Mac Miller". Billboard. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  14. "Free Nationals Drop Self-Titled Studio Album". Complex. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  15. "The Free Nationals｜イベント詳細｜ビルボードライブ東京｜Billboard Live（ビルボードライブ）". Billboard-LIVE | ビルボードライブ (in Japanese). Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  16. "The Free Nationals on Twitter, 2020 Tour". Twitter. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  17. "The Free Nationals And Anderson .Paak Return To The Tiny Desk". NPR.org. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  18. P.r, Dj (December 20, 2020). "Free Nationals – Indigenous To The Funk (Documentary) [Video]". TrackBlasters Entertainment. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  19. Free Nationals – Juno Records, retrieved November 29, 2020
  20. "Free Nationals". Spotify. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  21. "Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals Ride The Wave". A Nation of Billions. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  22. "Ron Avant". Musicians Institute Hollywood. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  23. "Kelsey Gonzales and Jose Rios of Anderson .Paak and The Free Nationals – Orange Amps". orangeamps.com. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  24. "Drummerszone - Callum Connor". Drummerszone.com. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  25. "The Official New Zealand Music Chart". THE OFFICIAL NZ MUSIC CHART. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  26. Beauty & Essex (feat. Daniel Caesar & Unknown Mortal Orchestra), retrieved October 23, 2020
  27. Time, retrieved October 23, 2020
  28. On Sight, retrieved October 23, 2020
  29. Eternal Light, retrieved October 23, 2020
  30. Shibuya, retrieved October 23, 2020
  31. ALLSTAR, retrieved December 21, 2020
  32. Photo ID (Free Nationals Remix), retrieved December 21, 2020
  33. "2021 GRAMMYs: Complete Nominees List". GRAMMY.com. November 24, 2020. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
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