Like Vessels: A story about the band Nathan & Mercury
December 2018
Reading length 8 - 12 mins
Four young musicians are waiting to take the stage. Donning their signature multi-coloured palette, each one wears a face of reticence. It’s an odd sight, since they are surrounded by hundreds of people cheering.
Tonight, Nathan & Mercury’s performance will determine if they progress to the final for the Wanderbattle competition, with the winner having the opportunity to play at the annual Wanderland Music & Arts Festival in the Philippines.
It’s been a busy month for the band: organising their one-year anniversary show, filming a music video, playing multiple gigs, and on top of it all, making sure they don’t miss any classes at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in Manila.
As the emcee introduces them, they take the stage and pick up their instruments. They give each other one last look of reassurance before they count themselves in.
Before tonight’s show, I got to spend some time with Nathan Huang, the lead singer for Nathan & Mercury.
It’s a Friday afternoon when I travel to the southern part of Manila, called Alabang to visit Nathan’s place. As I exit the highway, the slower pace becomes evident, as the traffic decreases compared to the inner-city.
Nathan welcomes me into his home and immediately offers me a drink.
“You got any sleep last night?” I ask him, sensing tiredness.
“Yeah, a few hours. I was up late cleaning my car,” he replies, as he raked his long black hair. ‘My date spilt her latte in the back seat.’
My face freezes at the thought of having to endure the smell.
“It’s not that bad though, it was a soy latte.” he chuckles. “Hey, you should check out the roof,” he says, as he proceeded to lead me up some stairs, just in time for the awaiting sunset.
The roof is spacious, made of limestone, and concrete. With the Manila skyline as its backdrop, this area seems like a great place for a musician to reflect on the supervention of life.
“How much was music part of your upbringing?” I begin.
“Well, music has always been a part of my life. Before my Dad became a church minister, he was a music-venue operator - that’s where he met my Mum who was a singer. I guess, you can say music is part of my genes, but it’s also been the environment I grew up in. I was a singer first, and then thought it would be nice to play something alongside that, so I learned to play the guitar. Then growing up, I also chose to help out with the church band, and now I study music at university,” Nathan replies.
“Is that where you met the rest of the guys from Nathan & Mercury?” I ask.
Nathan nods. “I met Daniel first during my first class, then Alex, and Karlo, and eventually Angelo.”
“So how did Nathan & Mercury come to be?”
Nathan searches his thoughts, flicks his hair, and answers. “Last year, I was a solo artist and doing my own music. I had a joint birthday with my sister where I got to perform some songs at the venue, 19 East. That was when I asked Daniel, Alex, and Karlo, to help me play some songs as a one-off. After that show, it really felt natural to be in a band, and that’s when I asked them if they wanted to form something together.”
The band’s name, Nathan & Mercury has an interesting use of semantics. Formally, the use of the ampersand (&) implies the joining of two names to form a fixed partnership. One can symbolically look at their band name as the union between all four members becoming one, resulting in a distinct sonic sound that is difficult to pin to one style.
“How has going to an arts school helped you musically?” I ask.
“As a band, it has really stretched our sound, but more importantly it has been helpful in connecting us to a lot of different musicians, and bands,” Nathan replies.
“And how have those other bands influenced you?”
“There were times when we, and members from groups like One Click Straight, St. Wolf, and Dayaw, would hang out in a studio, and someone would play one of their songs, and then a few people would give feedback, and then others would bounce ideas off each other. We were always willing to listen to advice during those times, because it was never a competition with any of those bands,” he replies. “I’ve always felt that we’re all like siblings.”
I had been following Nathan & Mercury for the last month on their way to the Wanderbattle semifinals. There were plenty of shows, but their one-year anniversary show at 19 East, in Muntinlupa, was by far the most memorable. That evening, bands like: One Click Straight, Dayaw, and St. Wolf, were there to help them celebrate. Friendship and mutual respect were evident through the night as they sang along to each other’s songs, constantly laughed at inside jokes, and shared plenty of food.
There, I got to speak with the other members of Nathan & Mercury.
First, I find guitarist Alex Samonte standing by himself before their set. His long black locks sit well past his shoulders, and he is wearing his staple olive-green cloak. The sight reminds me of a Jedi meditating before a trial.
I take the moment to ask him what the one-year anniversary show meant to him.
“We’ve come a long way, with a lot of hard work. But it really means a lot to me, that as a band that has only been around for a year, we get to play alongside this community of bands and musicians,” he replies.
In just one year, Nathan & Mercury has amassed a steady following of devoted fans who turn up to each of their shows, ready to sing along. They have also played on the same stage with one of their influences: Tom Misch. Also recently, they have acquired a new bassist, with their original bassist, Karlo Magsalang, currently pursuing his own musical journey.
Around the corner, I see the bassist, Angelo Sison. His long wavy hair was splayed under a bucket hat, and he stood tall with cuffed jeans. If he had a skateboard, the skater look would have been complete. As I approach him, he smiles and says, “Yosi?” He then proceeds to open his palm, offering me a cigarette.
A pause stretches between us, and I consider it, but I eventually shook my head, and reply, “Maybe next time.”
After a brief conversation about Hip-Hop music, I ask him what’s it like filling in the shoes of Karlo.
“It’s a big responsibility; he did more than just played the bass, he played a big part on the technical, and production side for the band,” he replies. “But at the end of the day, I just focus on playing my style, and having fun,”
Nearby is drummer, Daniel Monong. His eyes are focused on his laptop, as he busily sets the timing for one of the loops to their songs. He is the only band member with short hair, sporting a near-perfect part to the side. The hairstyle, his short-sleeve shirt, tight jeans, and high-cut boots reminds me of the familiar Sydney barista look.
The conversation between us is brief, knowing he had to finish his work, but I did manage to ask him, where he saw himself fit dynamically in the band.
“I find myself useful when I’m doing the things that support others. Musically, it’s about keeping the time, and practically, it could be things like setting up the others’ in-ears, or even bringing a clothesline and steamer for our clothes when we filmed our music video.”
These elements of community, enjoyment, and camaraderie culminated on the evening of their anniversary show, as everyone stayed back to sing and dance with the band into the early hours of the morning.
Dusk settles over Alabang, and the different hues of orange smudge the sky over Nathan’s house. The sight was satisfying to the soul.
“As a songwriter, where do you draw inspiration from?” I ask.
“Writing is a unique process for me. Usually, if something significant happens to me, I will write it down, and then leave it for a while. Then I’ll give it some time to simmer in my mind, and then eventually the words come out during the right moments. Take the song Fools, for example: I’ve had the words to that song since 2016. Then, last year I got sick, and I was stuck at home for a whole week. I was around the house strumming a melody blindly, and then I just started singing the words that eventually became the chorus. And it just built from there.”
Music seems to have the power to bring delight, restore hope, or shift our minds, and its transcendent nature has left the sharpest thinkers mystified. Philosophers such as Ludwig Wittgenstein once said that "It is impossible to say in my book one word about all that music has meant in my life," which he then later adds to, " How then can I hope to be understood?" [1] Some of Wittgenstein’s work has tried to use music to try and explain how we can understand language. Often, like language, when we listen to music, especially ones we enjoy, we absorb something from it: an idea, a memory, or maybe indifference. So, people who share music, particularly musicians, should be both determined, and humble knowing they are like vessels in the grand orchestra of ideas being exchanged.
Anytime Nathan & Mercury takes the stage, they exemplify these virtues. Humbleness can be found when you see Alex play his guitar, as he prefers to be a supplement to all their songs, instead of overpowering them. Enjoyment is evident in Angelo’s playing as, his love for hip-hop and soul percolates a groove that acts as the glue between all parts. And with this groove, you will often find him shaking his hips through their set. Finally, when it comes to keep unity but staying concealed in a song, Daniel has ample experience, since he has been drumming since the age of 3.
“What makes Nathan & Mercury distinct as a band?” I ask Nathan.
There is no hesitation in his answer. “Above all things, we like taking risks. It’s what I like about being in this band.” He shook a fist. “That riskiness in creating songs comes out in our sound, and as you’ve heard, Nathan & Mercury is like an acquired taste.”
Apart from the differing influences each band member brings to their sound, a careful listener will discern the technicality that can be found in every Nathan & Mercury song. This eclectic mix of complex musicianship and simple yet catchy melody and lyrics is what makes listening to Nathan & Mercury an experience to be had.
Nathan continues, “Each member of the band is very different. When we bring everything together musically, we always make sure we’re having fun. We always put the things we go through into our songs. I guess that’s what makes us, and our songs, relatable. Life has ups and downs; sometimes it’s fun, but sometimes it’s full of heartbreak, so people are looking for things they can identify with,” Nathan says.
“In which direction do you want to go to from here?” I ask.
“We’re starting to find our identity as a band with a distinct sound, and I think that’s the right direction. My goal for this band is for us to cross over from just doing gigs in venues, to doing collaborations with other bands, rappers, and pursuing the unexpected from an OPM (Original Pinoy Music) group. Maybe one day I won’t need to be holding my guitar, there might be loops running, the boys will be playing, and we’ll be on stage having fun with the crowd.”
The last ray of sunshine is now a distant spark, as twilight fills the night sky.
“Are there other things you would like to pursue apart from music?”
A smile fills Nathan’s face. “Cooking.”
I raise an eyebrow.
“I’m realistic; I know that playing music will end eventually, but I also know that I’ve been blessed with other things in my life that I’d like to pursue. I have a real passion for cooking, and eventually, I would like to improve my skills, and maybe start a business or something. I really want to be able to cook for the girl I’m dating.”
Four young musicians are waiting. There’s plenty of optimism on each of their faces. Behind them, are their partners, friends, family, and fans, cheering with hope at the point of bursting. On the stage in front of them is a piece of paper that holds an opportunity. An opportunity for their music to continue to inspire thousands more, to bring joy to those who listen, and most importantly, for them as a band to continue to pursue the things they are passionate about.
The emcee tears the envelope open, smiles, and steps towards the microphone, and announces, “…Nathan & Mercury.”
[Updated Jan 19 2019]
Nathan & Mercury claimed the runner-up position for the 2019 Wanderband Finals held at Vertis North, Quezon City. This will see them play at the 2019 Wanderland Music & Arts Festival, held at the Filinvest City Events Grounds, Manila, Philippines on March 9-10 2019. During their performance, they played a cover of Tom Misch’s Disco Yes, and two of their original songs: Fools, and 434.
To find more of Nathan & Mercury visit:
or listen to them
[1] Rhees, Rush. Ludwig Wittgenstein: Personal Recollections, Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1981. p.94
Words & Photos: S.I. Finlayson
Editor: Annie Tonkin & Jenny Jaakkola
Additional Cover Photo: Kriselle Marian
With special thanks to: Trey Remulla, and the ladies from Venus Mercury