Nathan Simon Ellis

1.how are things with casket lottery going?

things with the cl are very exciting. we've got an ep out now and a split with reflector should be out really soon. shortly after that a full length on second nature should surface.we're really excited, and proud of that record. we're also planning a tour right now for all of the U.S. in two halves of the summer. its a difficult task to book all of these shows with a band that nobody has heard of yet, but i'm sure it is going to be really fun, and hopefully successful.

2.you are being billed by reviewers as (ex-coalesce) how does that make you feel?

well in all actuality, i am yet to see a review, but i'm sure that is safe to say that we will be billed as ex-coalesce. i guess thats fine. if thats how people will think of us at first, than that will be fine. its better than being billed as ex intact, or ex in on roanoke, or any of the other bands that i was in becuase nobody has a clue who those bands are. for good reason. but hopefully after a little time has passed we will be noted as our own band instead of a new coalesce band. especially considering we don't sound anything like coalesce, given the off time thing.

3.What influences if any has playing with jes had on your guitar playing or songwriting?

jes amazes me musically. always has, and always will. he's a superior being with a guitar and someone that i'm not ashamed to say i look up to. i learned a lot from playing in coalesce, and its safe to say that the casket lottery songs probably wouldm't have as many comfortable time changes as they do now. probably a lot more awkward changes that i would try and squeeze together instead of finding a few natural off times.

4.You have a unique lyrical style, who or what has influenced it most?

bitterness. becoming jaded at such a ripe age and trying to maintain a more optimistic outlook in person created a monster in me lyricly i think.

5.where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years?

i've got a girlfriend who taught me not to pretend i know these sort of things. only thing i can say for sure is i will make sure i'm happy. as much as possible anyways.

6.What was it like tourig with Coalesce, then switching to playing bass for them?

a huge honor. i had been waiting, and i knew it was only a matter of time before stacey snapped and decided coalesce wasn't for him. so it was definitly a thrill.

7.Aren't you a little short for a Stormtrooper?

8.What is your favorite Coalesce tour story?

this is almost too difficult. there was the funny time when we got stuck in Wall, SD and james ran around in the blizzard in his boxers and socks. there was the time when the van actually bit the dust in idaho and jes jumped ou;to start pushing it while it was still rolling and forgot wich way to run when he hit the ground and did a back flip on the shoulder of the highway. and there was the more personal time when i drove through the red wood forest while everyone was asleep listening to the Cure on the way to san fransisco. no tour story is my favorite story, they all mean so much to me and have taught me everything i've learned since i dropped out of college the day i was asked to join the band. even the fighting and puking parts are worth everything in the world to me.

9.Was it weird working with Stacy again after you replaced him in Coalesce?

not at all. stacey and i had talked about doing a band together since before he quit coalese and it was only a matter of time till we both had enough room in our schedules to make it happen. i love stacey and am glad that there was no silly quarrel.

10.How has the experience of getting to play in your favorite band changed your life, musically and otherwise?

it has changed everything. it changed me indefinitly and made me realize that the only thing i have is this life, and i'm giong to make sure that it's not wasted in math 101 at community college until i want to be in math 101 in community college. i'm a rocker and there is no changing that. yet.