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A fitting title for an artist with many frameworks to his life, all of which have brought him to where he is today. From being a minister's son, to his struggle with women, and his down right stubborn drive to do things the way his mind eye takes him. This is the short story of Nathaniel W. Swokowski.

"How Great Thou Art": a hymn in which Swokowski tagged as his favorite The emotions this hymn stirred within him brought Swokowski to a place of ecstasy, unknown to him before this time. "The way the Pearson family sang this song gave me goose bumps every time! I love when hymns are sung in a gospel fashion." Though maybe unclear and subconscious at the time, it was obvious that the gospel hymns in his Fathers Church would have a huge impact on his music later in life. Swokowski even played drums during worship service for years, which taught him rhythm, but it would be his curiosity that would lead him to his love.

2:23 PM. Thirty-Seven minutes until school was over. Now, during Algebra II was his chance. "I use to say I had to go to the bathroom and then run as fast as I could down to the choir room to play piano for ten minutes. When my teacher asked why I was gone so long, I would just start describing my bathroom experience as grotesque as I could until he became annoyed with me and woul tell me to just sit down and get to work." Swokowski was only a junior in high school when he would skip class in order to teach himself how to play piano. It would be in his high school's empty choral room that Swokowski would discover, chord by chord, his love for the piano.

"And I'm stronger, cause I left you, girl, before you left me…" Swokowski's lyrical influences stem from his love and disdain for the women in his life. The lack of a motherly figure during his youth, along with heartbreak and scorn from past lovers has collided with his appreciation for the female form and intellect to create a plethora of descriptive songs reflecting on the women in his life. fotograph is an open book; it is a window into the soul of Swokowski.

With influences ranging from Babyface and the Bee Gee's to Coldplay and Rufus Wainwright, fotograph is eclectic, soulful, rhythmic, and heartfelt. "I distinctly remember dancing around in our living room when I was maybe eight to "Celebrate" by Cool and the Gang and many, many tracks from the "Bee Gees. I love the combination of soulful singing with runs and straight up dance/disco."

Somewhat of a nomad, Swokoski's journies have taken him from the quiet Mid-western towns of Kansas City, Kansas and Appleton, Wisonsin, to the hustle and bustle of New York City. It has been his travels that have influenced him most as a musician, with his latest destination, New York City, cementing his style and musicianship. On stage, Swokowski seems to hearken back to his days singing gospel songs in his father's church. He leads the crowd on a musical and spiritual pilgrimage, allowing his music to surge through his audience.

If you recognize this young man you're probably from the Midwest and a fan of his former band, Ivory. Though still working with his old boys and best friends he is discovering his love for other music and is continuing to be open about who he is and who he strives to become. This is fotograph. As Swokowski says "We are all apart of this, together."