Elsa's Doghouse: Nate Barcalow

One of the coolest things about starting Terrier Cvlt has been meeting people I probably never would have crossed paths with otherwise. Sometimes those connections happen through dogs. Sometimes they happen through music. And every once in a while, they happen in gas station parking lots.

That’s exactly how I ended up meeting my friend Nate Barcalow.

If you grew up listening to post hardcore in the early 00s, there’s a good chance Nate’s voice is burned into your memory the same way it is mine. As the singer of Finch, Nate helped create one of the most explosive and emotional records of that era with What It Is to Burn. Those songs were a huge inspiration to me back when I was fronting my own bands. There’s even a photo floating around somewhere of me on stage with my band Romero, wearing my Finch shirt and JNCO's.

Fast forward a couple decades, and now Nate’s on stage wearing a Terrier Cvlt shirt. Life is fucking nuts.

Nate and I met in the most random way possible in a Buc-ee’s parking lot somewhere in Texas, and from the jump it felt like we were already old friends. We’ve been buds ever since. Thanks again for the introduction, Anthony.

Aside from being one of my all time favorite vocalists, Nate is also just a great dude. Over the years he’s invited my family and me to shows and events, checked in on me during some dark times, and always made us feel welcome. He’s even brought us backstage a few times, which helped prove to my kid that I’m still cool.

And the fact that he still reps Terrier Cvlt on stage blows my mind every single time.

I figured it was finally time to pull Nate into Elsa’s Doghouse for a few minutes to talk about music, dogs, and whatever else comes to mind.

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Hey Nate, thanks for doing this. For anyone who might not know the full story, can you give us a quick rundown of your musical journey from Finch to Private Lives and everything in between?

>>> My musical journey started with my first band in high school called Probable Cause (don’t go looking for recordings, they only exist on cassette tape). It was kind of a Faith No More ripoff, but it was pretty unique.

After that, it was Numb. (Finch without Randy), which sounded like a Staind and Deftones unwanted love child. Then Finch happened.

Next came a band called Earthbound Ghost (Probable Cause reunited), same as before, just version 2.0. Then Reverend Crow was born. I played guitar and sang in this band. It was my baby, and I loved her.

Then we come to Private Lives. Kenny Finn and I were exploring electronic sounds and pop melodies with an ’80s sensibility. We tried something different, and I think we are both better people for it. We ended up finding out that we speak the same musical language and are true musical equivalents. He is the Trent Reznor to my Atticus Ross.

Your vocals and melody arrangements have been a huge influence on me and the bands I’ve been in over the years. Where did that voice come from, and who were some of your biggest influences growing up?

>>> It’s funny, I always thought I was going to be a guitar player in a band since that was the instrument I started with. I really got into singing as a fluke.

As I mentioned before, I was in a band called Probable Cause in high school (playing keyboard), and our singer left the band, so we needed a replacement. Travis, our guitar player and mastermind, suggested that I sing. So I did, and that’s how it started.

As far as influences, Mike Patton definitely has the voice I admire the most. His range and the risks he takes are very inspiring.

What It Is to Burn is one of those records people still carry close to their hearts decades later. When you look back on that time now, what stands out most from those early Finch years?

>>> Finch shows always had an electricity to them. Lots of high energy and emotion crammed into a bottle that was shattered with the first drum strike. It was released into the crowd, who then fed it back to us in a raw, primal way that only comes from true connection.

In the early days, in our youth, grinding and giving it all we had. I think those are the memories that stick out the most.

You’ve explored a wide range of sounds across your different projects over the years. Does your songwriting approach change depending on the project, or is there a core process that always stays with you?

>>> I think my approach is basically the same in all art: just spill honesty into every stroke of the brush and take the risk, even if it might feel scary. After that, I take a look at the final form, and depending on what I have, I determine where it fits best.

Terrier Cvlt lives right at the intersection of musicians and animal lovers, so I have to ask: have there been any animals in your life that have left an impact on you?

>>> I had a cat named Pierre for about 14 years. He was a dick, he was neurotic, he was lazy, he was curious, he was regal, he was almost mauled by a pack of coyotes, and he was my buddy. I miss him.

Life as a musician can get pretty chaotic and emotional at times. What helps keep you grounded when things start to feel a little out of control?

>>> My wife and my daughter keep me grounded, for sure. They keep me real, and they keep me going. Life has a lot of fabrication to it, and it’s easy to get distracted by all the pretty lights. But in a world full of fake-ass fluorescence, my family shines the brightest.

You’ve been a part of the heavy music world for a long time now. What’s something about the scene today that feels completely different from the early Finch days, but in a way that excites you?

>>> I think that a lot of genres of music have exhausted themselves and don’t have much left to give, but something that is becoming exciting for me is the visual art accompanying music these days. A lot of artists are doing really cool things with music videos, and heavier music in particular has had some really great visuals, making for a more rounded and cinematic experience.

I saw you mention a new project recently. Are you able to share anything about that yet? And when can people expect to see you back out on the road?

>>> I don’t really have much for you here other than to say that this new shit is so sick, and I can’t wait to share it with everyone.

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Nate, thanks so much for taking the time to hang out and answer some questions. It’s always great connecting with people who share the same love for music, creativity, and dogs.

I highly suggest throwing on What It Is to Burn and hearing why that record blew everyone’s minds back in the day.

Nate still hits the road now and then, so keep your eyes peeled for tour dates. You never know when he might pop up in your city.

Elsa’s Doghouse is an ongoing Terrier Cvlt interview series featuring artists, musicians, weirdos, and dog people from all corners of the world. You can read all of our interviews at terriercvlt.com.