The Nautical Theme A Modern Folk Duo from Dayton, Ohio
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Hailed as "Wild Open Harmony Folk Music", The Nautical Theme has been captivating audiences with cinematic melodies since 2017. Plunging the depths of emotion these two voices soar and dive in such a way that upon their first pairing it was clear that something contagiously haunting was about to make waves.
Fortunately for The Nautical Theme's Tesia Mallory (vocals, keys) and Matt Shetler (vocals, guitar) a mutual friend had the insight to bring these voices together in 2014 to fill out the lineup for a fledgling indie rock project. However, it wasn't until a few years later that a focus on the power of their melody and harmony matched with articulate arrangements began to truly shine. The Nautical Theme, the modern folk duo co-fronted by Mallory and Shetler, played their first show in their hometown of Dayton, Ohio in March of that year. That first show, the Sideshow 12 music and art festival held at Yellow Cab Tavern, was promptly followed by writing, performing many regional shows, and recording, culminating in a debut album, Float, which was released in April 2018.
RIYL:
The Civil Wars
Jimmy Eat World
The Oh Hellos
The Lumineers
Gregory Alan Isakov
The Smashing Pumpkins
Mallory and Shetler set out to create their second album with a sharper focus on the duo's strengths - straightforward songwriting, lush melodies, and engaging dynamics. Returning once again to the comfort and schedule accommodating space of Ready Shet Go Studio, they completed ten new songs. To expand the concept of the album title, Lows and Highs, Mallory and Shetler made a deliberate choice to build out the arrangements for half of the songs, which included adding live drums to several of the tracks. The drums were recorded by long time friend, previous musical collaborator, and supporter of the band, Justin Crim and were tracked by Micah Carli at his Popside Recording studio. Carli was once again tapped by the band to mix the album. John Naclerio (American Authors, My Chemical Romance, Brand New) lent his talents to master Lows and Highs.
"This powerful song has incredible impact on the listener. We are so proud of Tesia and Matt for creating music that is so insightful."
- Art Jipson, Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative
"Enthralling sophomore album, Lows+Highs"
- Don Thrasher, Dayton Daily News
"This release is a great example of the acoustic folk duo's work and there are many reasons to love it"
- Theo Gainey, Daytonlocalmusic.com
"What you will remember most is the wonderful way their voices intertwine to create lovely and breathy music"
- Alan, The Rocking Magpie
"On this record their voices and vision blend brilliantly, displaying meaningful lyrics, honest vocal arrangements and authentic expression of the challenge of everyday life."
- Art Jipson, Off Shelf
"One More Left" Song Premiere, Ghettoblaster Magazine
"The new album sees vocalist/keyboardist Tesia Mallory and vocalist/guitarist Matt Shetler broaden their stunning harmony-rich folk-pop sound with fuller, more dynamic arrangements"
Justin, Atlas and the Anchor
"The whole thing has a nice pop polish to it without being too commercial. The harmonies in particular really lift the overall sound into something more than the sum of its parts."
- Harold Hogan, Americana UK
Friday, July 29, 2022
MusicNights in the Old Village
Bellbrock Park
57 N Main St, Bellbrook, OH 45305
6:00 PM
Free
Saturday, August 13, 2022
Clifton Opera House
5 Clay Street, Clifton 45316
7:00 PM
$10
Saturday, August 20, 2022
Dayton Porchfest
34 High St, Dayton, OH 45403
3:00 PM
Free
Saturday, September 10, 2022
Troy Porchfest
2:00 PM
431 Lincoln Ave., Troy, OH
Free
Friday, September 16, 2022
Bock Family Brewing
8150 Washington Village Dr, Dayton, OH 45458
Free
Digital and physical copies of our music, T-shirts, stickers, and more. Take a look and find something you like.
Recorded at Shetler's Ready Shet Go Studio, Float was mixed by Micah Carli, formerly of Hawthorne Heights (Nightbeast, The 1984 Draft) and mastered by Jake Bryant (Dangerkids, Cinema Century). The album and the duo's performances gathered up a handful of positive reviews from places like Soundblab, Americana UK, and Tuned Up. Don Thrasher (Guided By Voices, Swearing at Motorists, Smug Brothers) graciously placed Float in the top 20 albums released from Dayton in 2018 in his yearly round up article for the Dayton Daily News. The Nautical Theme also found radio play on several stations throughout the year.
"Intensely Bittersweet Love Songs of Immense Proportions"
Alan, The Rocking Magpie
"Wild Open Harmony Folk Music"
Bill Golembeski, Soundblab
"Inspiring and Cinematic"
Justin, Atlas and the Anchor
"Fine & Musically Accomplished
Example of Modern Folk"
Jonathan Aird, Americana UK
"Incredible Harmonies and Some Stunning Melodies"
Vicky Caswell, Thinking Lyrically
In the Top 20 Releases from Dayton, OH, 2018
Don Thrasher
"The Duo's Folk/Americana Sound is Memorable and Lush"
Ryan Getz, Tuned Up
We want to thank all of the kind and wonderful people at the following stations and sites that have added our music to their rotations and playlists.
WYSO 91.3, Yellow Springs
WUDR 99.5 / 98.1, Flyer Radio
WLFC 88.3, Findlay's Indie
WTUD, Tiffin University
WHIO 95.7, The Sunday Edge with Todd Hollst
Inhailer
Gems of Dayton
Ohio Music
Ohio Artists to Watch 2019 Edition
Discover Dayton
Local Discover, Promowest
Ohio Unsigned Artists
Frame the Stage | Within The Spotlight
Would you like to add our music to a station rotation or playlist? Let us know and we'll be more than happy to help you out!
Saturday, June 25, 2022
Chardon Love Fest
Chardon, OH
Friday, June 24, 2022
Trojan City Music
106 E Main St, Troy, OH 45373
Thursday, June 23, 2022
Levitt Pavilion Dayton
134 S Main St, Dayton, OH 45402
Age Nowhere
The Nautical Theme
Saturday, June 11, 2022
3rd Annual For Dayton by Dayton
Riverscape Metropark
237 E Monument Ave, Dayton, OH 45402
Saturday, May 21, 2022
Dayton Sideshow
Yellow Cab Tavern
Thursday, April 21, 2022
Yellow Cab Tavern
Thursday, April 7, 2022
Wandering Griffin
3725 Presidential Drive, Beavercreek OH
Friday, March 4, 2022
Bock Family Brewing
8150 Washington Village Dr, Dayton, OH 45458
Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022
Blind Bob's
Alyssa Hanson
The Nautical Theme
Charlie & Amanda
Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022
Winterfolk Fest
Yellow Cab Tavern
700 E 4th St Dayton Oh 45402
The Katawicks
Biscuits & Gravy
David & Heather
Charlie & Amanda
The Nautical Theme
Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021
Showcase Thursdays at Yellow Cab
Yellow Cab Tavern
700 E. Fourth St.
Dayton, OH 45402
7:00 PM
Friday, Dec. 3, 2021
Hatch Artist Studios
105 N. Center St.
Springfield, Ohio 45502
7:00 PM
The Nautical Theme
Vivian
Thrusday, Nov. 18, 2021
Hannah's Going Away Party at Yellow Cab
Yellow Cab Tavern
700 E. Fourth St.
Dayton, OH 45402
7:00 PM
Friday, Oct. 22, 2021
Mother Stewart's Brewing
The Nautical Theme
XL427
Daniel Dye
Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021
Southgate House Revival
10:00 pm
Friday, Oct. 1, 2021
Sweet Cheetah Publicity 9 Year Anniversary Show
Blind Bob's
21+
The Nautical Theme
Extra Arms
The 1984 Draft
The Color Fred
Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021
Dayton Porchfest 2021
145 McClure St.
Dayton, OH
4:00 pm
Check Dayton Porchfest 2021 for more information.
Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021
Rock Piqua
Downtown Piqua
1:00 pm
Saturday, August 14, 2021
For Dayton By Dayton
Riverscape Metropark
Wednesday, August 11, 2021
Kaleidoscope
WYSO 91.3 FM
Sunday, August 1, 2021
Sunday in the Park
Oak and Ivy Park
Wright-Dunbar Village
3pm - 6pm
TBD
Thursday, July 15th, 2021
Showcase Thursdays at Yellow Cab
Yellow Cab Tavern
700 E. Fourth St.
Dayton, OH 45402
7:00 PM
Saturday, June 26, 2021
Eichelberger Amphitheater
Huber Heights Farmers Market
8625 Brandt Pike
Huber Heights, OH 45424
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Thursday, May 6, 2021
Showcase Thursdays at Yellow Cab
Yellow Cab Tavern
700 E. Fourth St.
Dayton, OH 45402
7:00 PM
Saturday, April 17, 2021
Plain Folk Café
10177 State Route 132,
Pleasant Plain, Ohio 45162
7:00 pm
Friday, April 2, 2021
Hatch Artist Studios
105 N. Center St.
Springfield, Ohio 45502
7:00 pm
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
Troy Hayner Cultural Center
301 West Main Street, Troy, Ohio 45373
7:00 pm
Free Tickets, Reservations Required:
Troy Hayner Reservations
Sunday, May 31, 2020
Eichelberger Amphitheater (Live Stream)
8625 Brandt Pike Huber Heights, OH 45424
2:00 PM
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative
WUDR 98.1 FM
4:00 pm
Listen to WUDR Online Here
Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020
Dayton Battle of the Bands
The Brightside Music & Event Venue
905 E. Third Street
Dayton, Ohio 45402
7:00 pm
Get Tickets Now
The Katawicks
The Nautical Theme
DeadwoodAlley
The American Landscape
December 20th, 2019
7th Annual Songwriters' Solstice
Gem City Catfé
1513 E 5th St, Dayton, OH 45403
Achilles Tenderloin
Meg Cavanaugh
Vivian
The Nautical Theme
Brandon Berry
Anna Baugham
Boo Lee Crosser
Sam Stone
Kevin Milner
November 27th, 2019
The Nautical Theme at Opening Night - Gem City SoberBar Pop-Up
Lore
116 W 5th St., Dayton, OH
Alec Snead
The Nautical Theme
DJ Etch
November 1st, 2019
The Nautical Theme at The Coffee Pot
The Coffee Pot
537 S Broadway St #101, Greenville, OH 45331
Saturday, October 12th, 2019
Yellow Springs Street Fair
1:00 pm, Soin Stage
More info at Yellow Springs Street Fair
Saturday, September 14th, 2019
Troy, Ohio Porchfest
More info at Troy, Ohio Porchfest
Saturday, September 14th, 2019
Yellow Springs, Ohio Porchfest
More info at Yellow Springs, Ohio Porchfest
Saturday, August 24th, 2019
Dayton, Ohio Porchfest
More info at Dayton, Ohio Porchfest
Friday, August 2nd, 2019
Art in the City
More Information about Art in the City
Sunday, July 28th, 2019
Singer Songwriter Series
Jimmie's Ladder 11
936 Brown St, Dayton, OH 45409
The Nautical Theme
Kevin Milner
Shades of Grey
July 6th, 2019
Independence District Day! - The Oregon District
501 E. Fifth Street, Dayton, Ohio 45402
Friday, June 14th, 2019
Peach's
104 Xenia Ave, Yellow Springs, OH 45387
The Nautical Theme
Stringus Khan
Saturday, March 2nd, 2019
Sound Valley Winter Music Festival
The Brightside Music & Event Venue
905 East. Third St., Dayton, OH 45402
Main Stage:
Nightbeast
We Are the Movies
The Story Changes
Lioness
RIND
Acoustic Stage:
BJSR
Paige Beller
Knavery
The Nautical Theme
Zack Sliver of Yuppie
Thursday, Jan. 31st, 2019
Sofar Sounds Cincinnati
Fifty West Production Works
7605 Wooster Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45227
The Nautical Theme
Joshua Powell
The Ophelias
Friday, Jan. 4th, 2019
Northside Tavern
4163 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45223
Michael Moeller
The Nautical Theme
Willow Tree Carolers
Friday, Dec. 21st, 2018
Holidayton 2018
Blind Bob's
430 E 5th St, Dayton, Ohio 45402
The Story Changes
Abertooth Lincoln
YARDBOSS
The New Old-Fashioned
Jasper the Colossal
The 1984 Draft
The Raging Nathans
c.wright's Parlour Tricks
King Serpent
The Nautical Theme
Saturday, Dec. 8th, 2018
Oregon Express
336 E 5th St, Dayton, OH 45402
The American Landscape
Neo American Pioneers
The Nautical Theme
Saturday, Nov. 17th, 2018
Special In-Store Performance
Herzog Music
811 Race St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
The Heisey Glass Company
The Nautical Theme
Acousticsteveo
Charlie Jackson
Age Nowhere
Hooligan Ghosts
Goodnight Goodnight
Team Void
Thursday, Nov. 15th, 2018
5 Year Anniversary Celebration
Star City Brewing Company
319 S 2nd St. Miamisburg, OH 45342
Brenna Geyer
Paul Monnin of Age Nowhere
The Nautical Theme
Max Nunery of The Repeating Arms
Greg Van Bebber
Stringus Khan
Friday, Oct. 12th, 2018
Hannah's
121 N Ludlow St, Dayton, OH 45402
Marjorie Lee and The Lovers
Saturday, Oct. 6th, 2018
Yellow Springs Porchfest
Wednesday, Oct. 3rd, 2018
Northside Tavern
4163 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45223
Marjorie Lee and The Lovers
Saturday, Sept. 22nd, 2018
Fall at the Round Barn - Vintage & Made Market
Fairfield County Fairgrounds
157 E Fair Avenue, Lancaster, Ohio
Friday, August 31st, 2018
Star City Brewing Company
319 S 2nd St. Miamisburg, OH 45342
Jeremy Garrett of the Infamous Stringdusters
Stringus Khan
The Nautical Theme
Thursday, August 30th, 2018
The Listing Loon
4124 Hamilton Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45223
St. Mary, St. Michael
The Nautical Theme
Saturday, August 25th, 2018
Dayton Porchfest
St. Anne's Hill Historic District - Dayton, Ohio
Friday, August 17th, 2018
Un Mundo Cafe
117 S Fountain Ave, Springfield, OH 45502
XL427
The Nautical Theme
Thursday, July 19th, 2018
Star City Brewing Company
319 S 2nd St. Miamisburg, OH 45342
Saturday, July 28th
The Root Cafe
15118 Detroit Ave. Lakewood, OH 44107
Saturday, July 28th, 2018
The Summer Market
Veterans Memorial Park
Avon Lake, Ohio
at Rte. 83 & Lake Road
Tuesday, June 26th, 2018
Peach's
104 Xenia Ave Yellow Springs, Ohio
Sunday, June 3rd, 2018
Singer Songwriter Series
Jimmie's Ladder 11
936 Brown St, Dayton, OH 45409
Tod Weidner
The Nautical Theme
Kent Montgomery
Saturday, June 2nd, 2018
Coffee Amici
328 S. Main St. Findlay, OH 45840
Saturday, June 9th, 2018
Yellow Springs Street Fair
Soin Stage (Near Mills Lawn Elementary School)
South Walnut St. & Xenia Ave., Yellow Springs, OH
Saturday, April 21st, 2018
Jimmie's Ladder 11
936 Brown St, Dayton, OH 45409
The 1984 Draft
Kyleen Downes
Friday, February 16th, 2018
Dayton Music Scene
Filming for Dayton Music Scene broadcast, DATV
Wednesday, February 14th, 2018
J.D. Legends, Franklin, OH
65 Millard Dr, Franklin, OH 45005
Saturday, February 3rd, 2018
Uncorked Akron & High Street Hop House
22 N High St, Akron, Ohio 44308
JAN. 13, 2018
Madison Live
Covington, KY
OCT. 21, 2017
Oregon Express
Starving in the Belly of the Whale
The Nautical Theme
Bloody Tambourine and the Musical Mafia
David Payne
OCT 10, 2017
The Nautical Theme Live On WUDR Flyer Radio
WUDR Flyer Radio 99.5/98.1
Dayton, OH
OCT. 7, 2017
Tipp City Limits
Tipp Roller Mill
Tipp City, OH
SEP. 23, 2017
Coffee Amici
328 S. Main St. Findlay, OH 45840
SEP. 23, 2017
The Nautical Theme Live On WLFC
Findlay, OH
SEP. 16, 2017
Un Mundo Cafe
117 S Fountain Ave, Springfield, OH 45502
Jill & Micah
The Nautical Theme
AUG. 27, 2017
Jimmie's Ladder 11
936 Brown St, Dayton, OH 45409
MAY 24, 2017
The Nautical Theme Live on Kaleidoscope
WYSO 91.3
MAY 12, 2017
Sideshow 12
Yellow Cab Tavern
700 E 4th St, Dayton, OH 45402
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