Hearing about a band or artist's influences and inspirations are all well and good, but sometimes, you just want to get to the nitty-gritty in an interview - like, what's your favourite takeaway dish?

Our new Q&A series sees us throwing rapidfire questions at musicians to get their most instinctive answers. There's no beating around the bush here - just honest, straightforward insights into their creative minds.

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He's originally from Mullingar, lives in London and is big in Germany: Nathan Johnston certainly gets around. The 25-year-old musician writes pop songs with a soulful tinge and has already scored a number of hits via his Warner Music Germany label.

His new single 'Last Minute' is out now and he's back on Irish shores for a date in Donegal next month, so we nabbed him for a quick chat.


1. What’s the music that you listened to growing up, that you still listen to today?
I’m a massive fan of The Frames. They were the first band ever I saw live in Royal Kilmainham Hospital, Dublin with my Dad and my older cousin on Halloween night. Plus, anything by Pink Floyd, Beatles, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Cure… all pretty timeless stuff, to be honest - I doubt I’ll ever get sick of that. I was also big John Mayer fan when I was in my teens, so I still occasionally listen to him when I’m in that kinda mood.

2. In three words, describe the minute before you walk on stage.
Predicting the unpredictable.

3. How do you wind down after a gig?
Generally I have a couple drinks with the band or chill on my own in the dressing room.. It really depends on how the show goes, though - and if there’s going to be another one the following night! You’ve gotta keep fit when you’re on tour, or else you’ll crash when you come to the end.

4. What’s the one song you wish you’d written or recorded first?
'Sunny' by Bobby Hebb.

5. You can only have three albums on your phone/in your house at any one time - what three would you pick for today?
Tim Maia - '1973'
Honne - 'Warm on a Cold Night'
Chaos 93’ - 'Ocean Wisdom'

6. Name one record, one book and one film that everyone should hear / read / see.
'Abbey Road' by The Beatles
'The Alchemist' by Paulo Coelho
'Rear Window' by Alfred Hitchcock

7. Pick the director and lead actor(s) for a biopic about your life.
Martin Scorsese & Timothee Chalamet.

8. You’re ordering take-away, what do you get?
Pad Thai, duh.

9. Describe your perfect day off.
Just a standard chill day with fam/friends.. Sleep 'til 10, have a tasty brunch, go for a walk (or a swim if the weather is nice), chill a bit on the couch at home, read, chat with some mates, watch some sports, play some guitar. Cook something tasty for dinner, drink some red wine and watch a film. And most importantly, don’t answer the phone!

10. Tell us, in one sentence, why we should come to your gig/listen to your music.
I want to bring people together and leave you in a better mood than you were in before you met me.

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'Last Minute' is out now. Sion Hill plays the Vearsai festival in Donegal on April 12th.