Local StoriesJuly 7, 2022

Conversations with Natalie Roers

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Roers.

Hi Natalie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Natalie and The Boys is a relatively new band that plays rock/pop/country covers and originals. It’s a three-piece acoustic act fronted by myself, Natalie Roers, and featuring the talents of LC Watts on guitar and vocals and Evan Hunter on vocals, the Cajon, and other instruments. We’re really heavy into songs that feature strong three-part harmonies.

I’m a former broadcaster here in town (WLTX anchor for 10 years), but I’m now a voice actor and freelancer. I’ve always wanted to get into music and over the pandemic, I took up voice and guitar lessons at Freeway music in the Northeast. I got OBSESSED– and quite frankly had time to get obsessed with the world shut down. Brian Conner of the band VillaNova was my teacher and became a huge cheerleader and really helped me understand the ins and outs of music and I ended up writing and recording an original EP by the time schools and businesses started to open back up.

When life started getting back to normal and musicians were playing out again, I thought, “Hey! I wanna do that now!” LOL

I wish I was kidding, but I literally Googled “how to find a band” and was directed to a website called Bandmix where you can find local people looking for band members. I loved LC’s profile and messaged him right away. He got back to me and I was at his house a few days later jamming. It was LC’s idea to add a Cajon/percussionist and really push harmonies and vocals. We found Evan on Bandmix, too! He was an instant perfect fit. We just all get along, have the same sense of humor, like that same music. It’s just a delight.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Obviously, I’m super new to music and playing out and sometimes I feel I have to use my acting background to kind of “fake it ’til I make it”. All my fellow musicians have been doing this since childhood. So yeah, I deal with feeling insecure, but I suppose we all do.

Honestly, taking guitar lessons? I was the only person I usually saw not in middle school. I’m 43. But you know, I’m so glad that even though I feel embarrassed, I don’t let it get to me. I’m loving what we’re doing and I’m proud of it. This is one of my life’s greatest joys.

For the guys, or all of us, I guess? Schedules can be a challenge. We all have day jobs, I’m a mom of a young teen, and they’re both in other bands. We’d like to play out more, but it can be challenging.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a professional voice actress. You can hear me in video games like Blair Witch, House of the Dead, My Friendly Neighborhood, Fear Effect. I’ve done some film work, too, in movies like Gerald’s Game and Before I Wake. That kinda goes along with singing.

Oh! I’m also a published author– which goes along with writing songs. I’ve written a thriller, YA fantasy, and nonfiction industry guide.

The guys, though? They are both ENGINEERS! I find that so funny and different. Engineers by day and rockstars by night. Only one side of my brain works, I think it’s so impressive both of their sides fire so well.

What does success mean to you?
Being happy. Happiness is the greatest success. God, I love being in my 40s ’cause you finally get that. Literally, I’m so happy to be healthy and doing things that make me happy. I’m so happy for everyone else that’s happy and healthy and doing things they love. If you’re competing with other people in your head or think you NEED certain things to happen to be happy or “successful”? You are cheating yourself out of so much joy.

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