Meet Nathan McLeod | Musician, technician, product designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nathan McLeod and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nathan, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started my own business mostly because I couldn’t stand the thought of having a boss. I’m a very independent thinker and need ample amounts of space to foster my creativity and it is stifling for me to be lorded over by a boss of any kind. Also, the creative process doesn’t always work on timelines and meeting the demands of a boss in traditional business environment would never provide me with the freedom necessary to create. Thankfully I’ve designed my life to have openness to allow for this space. I would definitely be more profitable in a traditional business environment but profit isn’t everything. You cannot put a price tag on the freedom I experience on a daily basis.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a working musician by trade. I mostly play saxophone but also play various other instruments. I play many gigs & recording sessions as well as write & record my own music. This is what I studied in college and I hold a couple of music degrees. After college, while gigging regularly, I apprenticed to be a musical instrument repair technician. I worked full time in this field for 4 years before moving to Nashville in 2013. This experience gave me technical skill set and knowledge of tools and manufacturing techniques that I have used to start manufacturing my own musical accessories. I have designed and manufactured many unique products to help musicians perform their craft. These products include metal tone enhancing parts for saxophone, custom wireless microphone holders for wind instruments, as well as ribbon microphones built to capture the delicate details of wind instruments. I have an online store where I sell these items. I’m also gaining a reputation around town as someone who can design & manufacture other people’s ideas for them which is very gratifying.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’ve lived in East Nashville for 11 years and it is definitely my favorite part of Nashville. When friends come to visit, I usually see what’s going on at The 5 Spot which is one of my favorite places to see music. Rudy’s jazz room is usually where I’m going when I cross the river. Rudy’s is a fantastic place that we are all very lucky to have. I would take them out to eat at The Urban Cowboy, Mitchell’s Deli, Cheap Charlie’s taco stand, and a newer spot called Emanuel that serves killer Guatemalan cuisine. I would also take them for a long walk at the Shelby Bottoms green way. I go for walks & runs there multiple times in a week. If I feel like a challenging hike, I’ll go to the Percy Warner trail and would probably hit up the Loveless Cafe afterwards for some southern flavor.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to shoutout my parents, Paul & Mary Lou McLeod. They always gave me the freedom to explore my creativity and have immeasurably supported me for my whole life. If not for them, I would have never been able to pursue a life of creativity.

Website: https://www.mcleodmusicshop.com

Instagram: @mcleodmusiccraft