About Natural Born Leaders

Natural Born Leaders emerged from the vibrant music scene of Asheville, North Carolina with a simple mission: to tear down every preconception you may have about genre barriers. What started as a handful of musicians drawn together by a shared vision has evolved into one of the most electrifying acts to call the Blue Ridge Mountains home.

We're not easily categorized, and that's exactly the point. Our sound floats seamlessly between rock, reggae, jazz, hip-hop, and funk, creating something that demands to be placed in a category all its own. We've been celebrated by the likes of NPR Music and Live Music Daily for our arrangements, our energy, and our refusal to play by anyone else's rules.

The Sound

Our music weaves together influences that span decades and genres. We draw from the head-banging intensity of Black Sabbath and Metallica, the old-school hip hop energy of Outkast and Lauryn Hill, and everything in between. The result? Rich bass lines, sexy brass, electrifying guitar solos, and lyric-driven anthems that hit you square in the chest.

Each track we create is laced with empowering messages about standing up, standing out, and dreaming big. Lead singer and songwriter Michael Martinez injects a generous helping of social commentary into every verse, proving that music can be both consumed for enjoyment and digested with purpose. We believe art should challenge you as much as it moves you.

The Journey

Our sophomore release, Abominable Creatures, proved that we truly live up to our name. Produced by platinum record holder Patrick Doyle (Jennifer Lopez, Earth, Wind & Fire, Cory Rooney) and mastered by the legendary Howie Weinberg (Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Metallica), the six-song collection was recorded between Doyle's private studio and the acclaimed Echo Mountain Recording Studios right here in Asheville. It's ripe with some of the most revolution-stirring antics we could sneak into a single release.

Our EP About Time marked another milestone in our evolution, with the single "Return of Jafar" leading the charge. The track and its accompanying video, directed by singer Michael Martinez and saxophonist Ben Survant in collaboration with Professor T Audio, earned a nomination for Best Director for Music Video at Asheville's annual awards ceremony. We wrote "Return of Jafar" as a reminder that YOU are not powerless, and that message resonated far beyond what we imagined.

Another highlight came when our original "Abominable Creatures" was recorded live for the 2018 NPR Tiny Desk Contest. Out of nearly 5,000 entries, we were chosen to be featured on NPR's Weekend Edition with Scott Simon. As NPR noted, while they selected Los Angeles guitarist Naia Izumi as the 2018 winner, there were scores of contestants that impressed the judges with their music, their desks, and for us, our convenience store setting. It was a moment that captured exactly who we are: unconventional, authentic, and unapologetically ourselves.

The Live Experience

If you've caught us live, you know that our recordings only tell half the story. Our live shows are where the magic truly happens. On February 23rd, 2018, we headlined The Orange Peel in Asheville, a venue that's hosted everyone from Bob Dylan to The Flaming Lips. That night was documented in our live video "Guerrilla Glue," and it captured the raw energy that defines a Natural Born Leaders performance.

We bring charisma, intensity, and an absolute commitment to connecting with every person in the room. Whether we're playing to fifty people or five hundred, we leave everything on that stage. Our reputation as a live act has been built on countless nights of sweat, soul, and the kind of musical communion that can only happen when musicians and audience become one.

The Band

Natural Born Leaders is powered by five musicians who bring their own unique voice to our collective sound:

  • Michael Martinez - Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
  • Ben Survant - Saxophone
  • Kyle Nuccilli - Bass
  • Kevin Murtha - Drums
  • Rex Shaffer - Lead Guitar

Together, we've created something that defies easy description. Some have called it gumbo funk. Others say prog hop. The labels keep changing, but two things remain clear: we will defy your expectations, and we're here to stay.

Moving Forward

Asheville is more than just our home base; it's in our DNA. This city's spirit of creativity, independence, and artistic fearlessness informs everything we do. We're part of a community that values authenticity over conformity, and that ethos runs through every note we play.

We're still writing, still recording, still pushing boundaries. Every show is an opportunity to connect, to challenge, to inspire. We believe in the power of music to change minds and move hearts, and we're committed to creating art that does both.

Whether you've been with us since day one or you're just discovering Natural Born Leaders, we invite you to experience what happens when five musicians refuse to accept limitations and instead choose to lead. Naturally.