“…Step into the cage, the spectacle, the few, the proud, the strange…” Nathan Corsi, guitarist, singer, and wordsmith of Not A Planet carefully crafts emotionally charged lyrics that synch with swirling harmonies sung by Liam Sumnicht (drums) and William Sturges (bass). The songs unabashedly culminate in a blend of 60’s pop, east coast indie rock and the blues of the north.
An Akron, Ohio native, Corsi’s musical tastes and influences grew in the same fertile soil that reaped rock and roll innovators like the James Gang, Devo, the Pretenders and the Black Keys. It’s not a coincidence that his stylings have been compared to Auerbach’s, with whom he shared a guitar instructor. Moving to Kansas City, by way of New York, Corsi met local music-enthusiast poster child and 96.5 the Buzz radio personality, Liam Sumnicht in 2010. With their powers combined, they immediately booked their first tour while Sumnicht simultaneously navigated Corsi throughout the KC music scene.
Extensive touring to the east coast and back in the belly of their (t)rusty van, “Trudy”, Corsi and Sumnicht were accompanied by various and sundry bass players while their bond as bandmates and fellow artists grew stronger. Ripe and ready for a permanent solution, in the winter of 2012, they welcomed a bundle of joy, Sweet William Sturges, with open arms. William’s unmatched joie de vivre made him a natural fit for NAP. A skillful stylist, Sturges’ bass became the glue that bound Not A Planet’s signature sound. Their first release, the NAP Sack EP, was seven tracks gleaned from a scrapped full-length recording. Sturges’ bass tracks were overdubbed, and the songs remixed.
The joy of connection and creating original, honest rock music compels the trio to tour relentlessly, and to embrace and be embraced in the thriving music culture of Kansas City. The Not a Planet debut LP concept album “The Few, The Proud, The Strange” explores life, love, grief and inspired by our collective dreamworld.
Among their honors, NAP was nominated for “Best Indie Rock Song in 2012” by the Independent Music Awards for their song, Turn Me On (NAP Sack EP), Voted “Best Rock Band” in Kansas City’s 2013 Pitch Music Awards, and their affiliation and support of the Midwest Music Foundation. They won a new tour van in November ’13 with the support of their fans, and have had the privilege to directly support amazing bands like Matt and Kim, ZZ Ward, Seawolf, Free Energy, Maps and Atlases, Bright Light Social Hour, Ha Ha Tonka, The Dirty Heads, Presidents of the United States of America and Stone Temple Pilots.
Photo credit: Forester Michael (2015)