The Nude Party

Biography

The Nude Party is a rock band formed in 2013 by a group of childhood friends and step-siblings who began learning instruments together while students at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. They originated as the house band at a private nude party club, earning their name from performing in the buff, though this practice ceased as they progressed to club gigs. Living communally in a lake house, they jammed nightly in the basement, starting with simple riffs like Booker T & the MG’s ‘Green Onions,’ and quickly built a local following with their raucous garage rock sound influenced by 1960s British Invasion, Velvet Underground, and Rolling Stones. Ditching classes, they played basement shows, SXSW, and DIY tours across America.[1][2][3][4]

After graduating in 2017, the band moved to New York, establishing a summer residency at Brooklyn’s Baby’s All Right and signing with New West Records. They released their debut EP Hot Tub in 2016 (recorded in Asheville, NC), followed by the self-titled LP The Nude Party in 2018 and Midnight Manor in 2020, touring extensively and opening for acts like Jack White and Arctic Monkeys. The COVID-19 pandemic halted touring after their second album, prompting reflection, but they reunited for their fourth album Look Who’s Back, self-recorded in Joshua Tree, California, at collaborator Michael Rault’s studio, embracing their DIY roots with a matured sound evolving from pure garage rock to melodic, hook-driven rock.[1][2][3]

Now based in the Hudson Valley/Catskills area of New York after building their own studio there, The Nude Party has toured worldwide, played festivals, and hosted their own Nude Fest. Their style blends swingin’ 60s garage rock with psychedelic elements, big hooks, and deeper lyrics reflecting personal growth, solidifying their reputation as a tight, touring rock outfit.[1][2][4]

Fun Facts

• The band's name originated from performing fully nude as the house band at a private clothing-optional party club while students at Appalachian State University, though they stopped for club gigs.[2][3][4]
• They once drove 24 hours to SXSW, played shows (with one member getting naked onstage, nearly causing a shutdown), then drove 24 hours back just in time to fail midterms.[1][4]
• Most members learned instruments specifically to start the band together, with no prior experience except vocalists Patton Magee and Shaun Couture.[2][3][4]
• They host and organize their own festival, Nude Fest, in July at their ranch.[6]

Members

• Austin Brose - percussion
• Alec Castillo - bass
• Shaun Couture - guitar
• Jon “Catfish” DeLorme - pedal steel guitar
• Patton Magee - lead vocals
• Patton Magee - harmonica
• Patton Magee - kazoo
• Patton Magee - guitar
• Don Merrill - electronic organ
• Connor Mikita - drums (drum set)

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Oakley Munson - Drummer for Shine Brothers and Black Lips; provided housing, production, and early career support (Produced first two albums; hosted band in Catskills) [2016-2018]

Key Collaborators

• Patton Magee - Lead vocalist/guitarist, core founding member (All albums including The Nude Party (2018), Midnight Manor (2020)) [2013-present]
• Shaun Couture - Vocalist/lead guitarist, core founding member (All albums) [2013-present]
• Don Merrill - Organist/pianist/keyboardist, core founding member (also listed as Zachary Merrill) (All albums) [2013-present]
• Alec Castillo - Bassist, core founding member (All albums) [2013-present]
• Austin Brose - Percussionist, core founding member (All albums) [2013-present]
• Connor Mikita - Drummer, core founding member (All albums) [2013-present]
• Michael Rault - Provided recording studio for latest album (Look Who’s Back (2024)) [2023-2024]
• Matthew Horner - Engineer with vintage equipment for studio builds and recordings (New album engineering; Hudson Valley studio) [2020s]
• The Growlers - Opened shows for them early on (Regional/national tours) [2016-2017]
• Shine Brothers - Opened shows; connected via Oakley Munson (Early tours) [2016]
• Jack White - Opened for on tour (Tour dates post-debut) [2018+]
• Arctic Monkeys - Opened for on tour (Tour dates) [2018+]

External Links

• Spotify
• MusicBrainz