Premier Arts & Entertainment Coverage

Nathan Cavaleri

Markus Hamence is chatting with Nathan Cavaleri

New music, new tour, the beginning… Nathan and Markus chat it all… INCLUDING the Michael Jackson days.

Nathan Cavaleri (born 18 June 1982, Sydney) first captured the world’s attention as a guitar prodigy. Learning on a full‑size guitar with a shaved neck at age five, he overcame childhood leukemia and was performing with stars like Mark Knopfler – who called his playing “unbelievable” – by nine.

At 12–13 he landed a record deal that involved interest from Michael Jackson’s label, and toured internationally with B.B. King, even playing at the Kennedy Center and the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games Sydney.

He released two solo albums in the ’90s – Jammin’ with the Cats (1993, peaked #33 ARIA) and Nathan (1994, peaked #71 ARIA) – featuring collaborations with artists like Jimmy Barnes, Robben Ford, and Aaron Neville.

As he matured, Cavaleri co-founded bands Dirty Skanks (2003) and Nat Col and the Kings (from 2010), producing EPs and touring steadily GQ Australia.

However, by 2012 he was forced offstage by intense anxiety, insomnia, and panic attacks – famously collapsing mid‑set and stepping back from performing.

After a struggle, he returned to the stage around 2016 and officially relaunched his solo career in 2019 with the Demons EP and album – followed by his 2023 release Miracles, which embraces surf‑rock and psychedelia alongside his blues roots.

Alongside sold‑out tours and compelling live performances, Cavaleri now combines his music with candid storytelling and mental‑health advocacy, sharing a journey that goes far beyond the fretboard.