West Michigan’s Nathan Moore Affair embraces ‘weird’ soulful stew

The Nathan Moore Affair not only works in terms of its energetic live performances, but in the captivating songwriting that the all-star band weaves into its recent debut album, “Reconciliation."

West Michigan’s Nathan Moore Affair embraces ‘weird’ soulful stew
The Nathan Moore Affair: A unique combination of musicians and influences that works. [Courtesy Photo]

Singer and keytarist Nathan Moore characterizes his soulful Kalamazoo band as musical gestalt — different players from different backgrounds with different influences who create music that’s “bigger and better than the sum of its parts.”

Bassist Mark Glubke puts it another way: “If you want to know the honest truth, we’re kind of a weird band. … Like on paper, it doesn’t really make sense, and yet if you listen, it’s an interesting stew … and it works.”

Indeed, The Nathan Moore Affair — Moore, Glubke, percussionist Carolyn Koebel and guitarist Chris Schleuder — not only works in terms of its energetic live performances, but in the captivating songwriting that the all-star band weaves into its recent debut album, “Reconciliation,” and a brand new single and music video, “Don’t Let ’Em Tear Us Apart.” (View the video below). 

It’s “simply a soulful rock band,” Glubke offered. “I would say we borrow most from genres like soul, blues and funk. We are not a blues band, per se, but we play a good bit of blues. Same with soul and funk.”

Moore, a Flint native first inspired by singers at First Trinity Missionary Baptist Church in his hometown, leads the band after first collaborating with Schleuder more than a decade ago, later joining The Perilous Cats music collective and eventually creating The Nathan Moore Affair with Glubke. The lineup was finalized in 2022 when accomplished, in-demand drummer and percussionist Carolyn Koebel joined the group. 

Loving the Live Shows: The Nathan Moore Affair [LocalSpins photo/Derek Ketchum]

“Carolyn is a legend, right? Playing with Carolyn is a thrill,” said Glubke. “She brings the whole world to her playing.”

Moore — described by Glubke as “very charismatic” on stage — noted that performing the band’s songs live helped develop and grow them for the final recorded versions, which were laid down with Ian Gorman at Kalamazoo’s La Luna Recording and Sound. 


Support Our Work

Ottawa News Network is a nonprofit news service dedicated to providing the residents of Ottawa County with trustworthy, community-driven news. ONN treats journalism as a public good — something that enriches lives and empowers Ottawa County’s 300,000-plus residents to stay engaged, make informed decisions, and strengthen local democracy. Please consider giving today.


The band plays Pride events on June 21 in Three Rivers and Aug. 2 in Allegan, followed by Allegan’s Rollin’ on the River series on Aug. 15 and Beats on Bates in Kalamazoo on Sept. 5. 

There’s also new music in the offing. 

“We did a little retreat earlier this year and we came up with a ton of new songs,” Moore said. “We’re trying to get those out into the ether, doing them in these shows that are coming up. I know that we’re going to record another album.”

— Find more Michigan music news and concert listings at LocalSpins.com. Email John Sinkevics at john@localspins.com