Natalie Uhlenhake shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Natalie, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Puzzle games! I love crosswords specifically, and I play the NYT games almost every day.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Natalie Uhlenhake. I’m a 22-year-old singer, songwriter, and performer based in Nashville, Tennessee. I grew up in a small town in Mercer County, Ohio, and moved to Nashville in August 2023 to chase the dream I’ve been building since I was a teenager.
I started performing acoustic sets when I was 15, right after I bought my first guitar. I’d been writing songs and learning to play on my mom’s guitar for a couple of years, but I really wanted one of my own — especially one with a built-in pickup so I could start playing live. When I finally found “the one” at a local music store, my mom told me, “If you buy this, you need to start making money off of it.” So I did — I jumped right in and began booking my own gigs. A few years later, she admitted she didn’t expect me to take that so literally — but by then, we were already in too deep!
By the time I graduated high school, I had written all the music for my senior year’s drama club production — a collaborative project I created alongside one of my classmates. After earning my associate’s degree in Business Administration and Marketing, I packed up and made the move to Nashville, where I’ve been writing, gigging, planning mini tours, and soaking up everything the city has to offer ever since.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My mom. She’s always had this way of seeing me clearly, even when I couldn’t articulate who I was becoming. She’s been my sounding board, my cheerleader, and the person who’s helped me find the words when I didn’t know how to say them myself. Every step I’ve taken, she’s been right there, believing in me before I knew how to believe in myself.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
The first time I wrote a deeply emotional, vulnerable song, I played it for a few friends — and their reactions changed everything. I realized I wasn’t the only one feeling that kind of pain. By putting it into a song, I wasn’t just processing it — I was connecting with people who had felt the same.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, I’d say the public version of me is absolutely real. I think the only way to build a genuine community is by being authentic, so I show up in public and online the same way I do in my everyday life.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I’m definitely doing what I was born to! I feel the most comfortable behind a microphone and a guitar. The life I’m living may not be traditional, but it’s mine, and I love every second of it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/natalieumusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natalieumusic/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@natalieuhlenhake5246
- Other: https://linktr.ee/natalieumusic?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=b5c9512e-6a4c-4614-86d3-a479e62657e7
Image Credits
Chelsea Erica Smith, Sarah Jean Layton
