Nat Hathaway’s ‘Vacation’ Explores Love, Wanderlust & Opposites Attracting
Auckland-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Nat Hathaway returns with Vacation, a soft rock track that captures the challenges of loving someone whose idea of happiness looks very different from your own.
Vacation blends the melodic charm of classic soft rock with modern production influences drawn from artists such as Tame Impala. The release follows Hathaway’s previous single Only Sophie, whose music video has gained high praise on YouTube and was selected for NZ On Air’s New Tracks compilation.
“It tells a simple but relatable story of being a homebody who falls for someone obsessed with travelling. Despite their differences, the infatuation never quite fades.” – Nat Hathaway
The arrangement mirrors these emotions throughout the track. An off-beat bass line drives the verses, reflecting feelings of uncertainty before resolving into lush, spacious chords in the chorus as the narrator finally admits his true feelings.
“I started with the bassline, which I doubled with a grand piano after becoming obsessed with Hall & Oates’ Go Solo.” – Nat Hathaway
Accompanying the release is a DIY music video recorded on an early-2000’s camcorder by longtime collaborator Andrew Isdale. Filmed at a quarry near Bethells Beach, the music video contains a series of improvised performances and a nine-metre rock jump into the freezing water, fully clothed in 70’s-style attire.
Photo Credit: Crystal Chen
