Young musician makes first album during lockdown

Nathan Mitchell (21), played all the instruments himself, including keyboard which he had to learn especially.

He also mixed and produced the rock album, called The Foundation of Freedom, completely on his own.

Nathan says it was his first attempt at making an album and describes it as “a view of the world through the eyes of someone who has Asperger’s Syndrome and who is dyslexic in a literacy-rich world”.

He said: “It’s just been a lockdown project.

“It took about three and a half months.

“It’s a concept album, and it’s supposed to be heard as one song, so it’s a bit like Dark Side of the Moon.

“I’ve built a recording station in my house, from the ground up, it’s a passion.

“Learning the keyboard was challenging at first, but when I got into the groove of doing it, it just came like second nature.

“It only took a couple of weeks.”

Nathan is also inspired by a number of classic rock bands.

He added: “Lyrically, it’s just how I see the world in a different way. It’s just my mindset.

“I love the Doors, Pink Floyd, and psychadelic rock. They’re my biggest inspirations but I wanted to do it for myself.”

Making the album is a way for Nathan to take music back to a time when it was less commercial.

He said: “I’ve tried to make something that’s deep. Maybe only a few people get it, but it comes from my heart.”

So what prompted him to make the album?

“I had a lot of free time on my hands, that’s one of the biggest things,” he said. “I’ve always had an appreciation for music, from an early age.

“I probably started playing guitar when I was 10. Since then I’ve gained knowledge and skills that I could only have dreamed of. I had to learn the software. Once I set my mind to it, I met each and every challenge.

“After finishing it, I feel very accomplished.”

The Foundation of Freedom, by Nathan Mitchell, is available on Spotify (click here), iTunes, Apple Music, and a range of other providers online.