Episode 181: Nathaniel Rateliff

“And It’s Still Alright”

 

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Nathaniel Rateliff is a singer and songwriter from Colorado. He’s released four solo albums, and two with his band, the Night Sweats.

Those two Night Sweats albums were produced by Richard Swift, who passed away in 2018. In a statement, his family said that he “suffered from alcohol addiction, and it’s ultimately what took his life.” Nathaniel Rateliff’s new solo album, And It’s Still Alright, was supposed to be produced by Richard Swift, as well, but Richard died before they could work together again. In this episode, Nathaniel breaks down the title track, which was inspired by his own complicated relationship with alcohol, and by his friendship with Richard Swift.

You can buy or stream “And It’s Still Alright” here. You can also hear Richard Swift himself on Song Exploder, with his band The Arcs, in this episode from November 2015.


Illustration by Carlos Lerma.

For a transcript of this episode, click here.

footnotes
Richard Swift
“S.O.B.” – Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats