Biography
Nelson Bandlea is an artist of multiple disciplines born and raised in Dallas Texas currently living in Brooklyn New York. He’s doing his best to get to know himself through the various things he makes. Over the past 5 years Bandela has released over 30 projects under his old moniker Norvis Junior and been featured on multiple online publication’s including The Fader(US), Brownswood (UK), OkayPlayer (US) and Wax Poetics(US). Currently his plan is squarely focused on bringing a dynamic and unique experience to a live setting by spreading the space gospel of balance and communication. Blessings.
Nelson Bandlea’s music defies traditional genres. So he created his own – “Space Gospel” – a category that, according to Wax Poetics, accurately reflects the way in which his music “stretches the boundaries of rhythm.”
His sound is a natural evolution from his early days of performing in church choirs and receiving formal training in vocal performance as a student at Booker T. Washington High School, in Dallas, Texas, also Erykah Badu’s alma mater. He had the fortune of being raised around musicians, often functioning as an auxiliary “roadie” from the age of 5.
Nelson Bandlea is a fearless artist who combines the courageous cacophony of early acid Jazz with remnants of RnB and of course… Funk. At times it can be bass heavy evoking southern hip hop styles, layered with unexpected West African drumming, artful sonic play via synthesizer, and piano chords. At other times it can be minimal, direct, purposeful. On his most recent worldwide release, “Pyrrhic Victory Disc 03 (Dist. Tape Club Records),” his voice, a rich baritone with a velvety texture that evokes comparisons to Nina Simone, delivers unexpected sonic momentum, especially when he waxes poetic in falsetto. But beyond the sound, the message is clear: Nelson Bandlea has mastered his truth. As a songwriter, composer and producer, this concept is ever-present.
Nelson Bandlea’s catalog is extensive relative to the amount of time he has been focused on his music career. With more than 30 projects released since 2011, it is very clear that he is situating himself as a mainstay. He credits the Purple One (Prince), George Clinton, Herbie Hancock, his father’s brothers, Flying Lotus, and many more, as influences and looks forward to bringing the Space Gospel of love and truth to an eardrum near you.
+++