Natalie Del Carmen – El Cortez
Americana singer-songwriter Natalie Del Carmen unveils “El Cortez,” the lead single from her forthcoming album Pastures, set for release via Torrez Music Group.
Inspired by a rare father-daughter trip to Las Vegas, the track blends tender storytelling with Del Carmen’s warm, roots-driven sound, capturing the joy of shared moments and the gratitude that comes with seeing your parents in a new light.
Written as a tribute to her father, “El Cortez” was sparked by a family Christmas trip where Natalie Del Carmen gambled with her dad at the iconic El Cortez casino for the first time. The experience, full of milestones that become less common with age, prompted a deeper reflection on her relationship with her parents and the memories they continue to create together. “I realized how much I’d already won in life,” Del Carmen shares. “It felt like I was finally relating to my parents in a different way.” With its intimate lyrics and rich Americana textures, and Del Carmen’s warm, emotive vocals that carry both strength and vulnerability, “El Cortez” sets the tone for Pastures, an album that bridges Del Carmen’s metropolitan roots with her love for traditional country and small-town storytelling. Recorded in Nashville with the Tennessee-based musical collective Brunjo, the project blends acoustic instruments like mandolin, pedal steel, and her grandfather’s 1930s banjo with modern folk arrangements, creating a timeless yet contemporary sound. “El Cortez” was mixed by GRAMMY-award-winning producer Brandon Bell (Brandi Carlile, Joni Mitchell, Allison Russell, Alison Krauss) and mastered by Eric Conn (Neil Young, John Prine, Sheryl Crow).
Raised in Los Angeles and shaped by the city’s cultural diversity, Natalie Del Carmen began writing songs as a teenager and quickly developed a style that weaves vivid narratives with melodic warmth and standout vocals. A Berklee College of Music graduate, she honed her craft among a community of talented peers before releasing her 2023 debut album Bloodline, which earned critical acclaim for its fusion of American roots music with a distinctive, youthful perspective with maturity well beyond her years. Follow-up singles like “What Should’ve Been (By Now),” “Good Morning From Magnolia,” and “The Highway” received notable cheers from press outlets like Holler, Buzzbands LA, Americana UK, and Atwood Magazine. Drawing comparisons to Noeline Hofmann, Ken Pomeroy, Brandi Carlile, Gregory Alan Isakov, and The Lumineers, she has been recognized for her evocative lyricism, genre-blending sensibility, and ability to build immersive worlds within her songs. With her recent signing to Torrez Music Group and the impending release of Pastures, she continues to carve her own path in the Americana space, offering music that speaks to both the intimacy of personal experience and the universality of human connection.
In addition to the release of “El Cortez,” Natalie Del Carmen will showcase at Americanafest this month, including performances earlier this week at Nashville’s legendary Bluebird Cafe and Whiskey Jam. These appearances mark a significant milestone for the 24-year-old artist as she prepares to share Pastures with audiences nationwide. “El Cortez” is out now on all streaming platforms
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