Nate Perry & Ragged Company push life to the limit on ‘Till the Well Runs Dry’
Boston alt-rock Americana band soundtracks a collective desire with personal tales on a soaring new EP out Tuesday, September 23
New Artist of the Year nominee at the 2024 Boston Music Awards perform at Lowell Summer Music Series on September 14 and The Cut in Gloucester on September 20
Photo Credit: Collin Heroux [hi-resolution images]
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2025 performances include Boston Calling Music Festival, New England Americana Festival, Levitate Backyard, and various stages around Massachusetts
BOSTON, Mass. [September 23, 2025] – Listening to the music of Nate Perry & Ragged Company is often like sifting through an old photo album. Each lyric, each hook, each song acts as a snapshot, a certain moment or event frozen in time, captured for historical record and a place within life’s timeline. But what makes an image come alive is the personal sentiment that swirls around it, our human ability to recall the details that came before and after, and the emotion that not only led us to that very moment, but also helped influence and impact all that came after it.
As the Boston alt-Americana band readies its sophomore EP, a dizzying spell of rock and roll and outlaw country titled Till the Well Runs Dry, set for streaming release on Tuesday, September 23, the snapshots from the lyric book of frontman Nate Perry come alive in panoramic color.
And these tales, these anecdotes and stories of taking life by the reins and putting plans into action, are augmented by the sheer relatability to Perry’s engaging stories. The vocalist and guitarist may be singing about his own life, from growing up in New Hampshire to joining the Army to becoming the person he is today, but they reflect back a universal feeling we all possess about wanting something greater, something more substantial, something more fulfilling.
“This record abandons the lament of my previous songs and takes more of a ‘get after it’ approach in the lyrics,” Perry admits. “Previous songs were about being in a place, mentally and physically, that I wanted to get out of, and this EP is full of songs just talking about doing it. There are callbacks to how life was, but these songs convey the struggle and desire of getting started and arriving at the place you want to be.”
Till the Well Runs Dry, produced by Brian Charles at Rare Signals in Cambridge, Massachusetts and led by glistening spring single “Count on You” and barnstorming summer banger “Tonight,” is the follow-up to the young band’s well-received 2024 debut EP The Otherside of Everything.
In the time between releases, Nate Perry & Ragged Company – rounded out by Sam DeMello on drums; Connor Milligan on bass and backing vocals; Ollie Nash on keys and backing vocals; and Mike Chandler on lead guitar – have become one of the most talked about bands in the Boston music scene.
They’ve become fixtures on the festival circuit, holding court and turning heads in the spring at Boston Calling Music Festival and being tapped to appear and promote the event on TV news magazine and New England staple Chronicle as well as WBZ-TV / CBS Boston’s Road To Boston Calling special.
In a remarkably short time, the quintet has performed everywhere from New England Americana Festival to The Fallout Shelter (where the artwork to “Count on You” was photographed) to Levitate Backyard to Team Haverhill’s River Ruckus. A few days before the EP drops, they debut at The Cut in Gloucester on September 20. And ahead of the EP release, Nate Perry & Ragged Company return to Team Haverhill’s River Ruckus on September 13, and play the Lowell Summer Music Series with Big Head Todd & The Monsters on September 14.
“Till the Well Runs Dry is a statement to ourselves and our listeners of how far we've come and how hard we've worked to get this going,” Perry adds. “We feel a real strong momentum from the attention we've received so far, and this record is the culmination of our dedication and desire to continue to climb. We know exactly what we want and we feel like we have officially started chasing it.”
The chase began for the quintet as soon as it formed a few short years ago, and the path that delivered Nate Perry & Ragged Company to this moment has been steady and focused. Perry, an Army veteran, grew up listening to old Johnny Cash and Springsteen records traveling around in a truck with his father, and rediscovered his love of country and Americana while stationed in Kentucky back in the 2010s.
On weekends, he and his soldier buddies would make the short trip down to Nashville, but while his crew was simply looking to party up and down the wild stretch of Lower Broadway, Perry was transfixed by the energy and urgency of The Music City’s dive bars and honky tonks.
Perry brought a bit of Nashville back with him to Boston, and soon linked up with Chandler through craigslist. After a previous project came to an abrupt end, Nate Perry & Ragged Company was born, with DeMello, Milligan, and Nash quickly solidifying the quintet. The chemistry was instant, the energy palpable, the shared vision seemingly within reach.
That was apparent on The Otherside of Everything, a record infused with twang and blues that took the campfire storytelling ethos of alt-country and shifted it into rock and roll overdrive, highlighted by the relentless propulsion of “Maria,” the yearning ache of “Evergreens,” and the country gallop of “All I Need.”
Now with Till the Well Runs Dry, its title taken from a lyric in spotlight single “Disappear”, finds the band cranking up the intensity, leaning more into the alt-rock and indie side of the musical spectrum without losing that sense of time-honored Americana. The rocking is a little harder, because hey, these are harder times. Once again, the narrative message and storylines of Nate Perry & Ragged Company are those that reflect all our lives.
“There's a spirit of a fight that flows in each song,” Perry notes. “Not necessarily with another person or even with myself but more of a refusal to surrender to the ‘way it is’. Some songs highlight the process of getting there and others are about holding onto it for dear life.”
Perry says the EP title echoes that approach – “It's telling our listeners and ourselves that we gotta keep going till there's nothing left. Don't stop when it gets hard, give it all you got.” – and the music drives the point home even further.
Just ahead of Boston Calling back in May, the band unveiled “Count on You,” a euphoric, synth-addled anthem that roared with an effervescent grandeur, breaking the band out of its creative comfort zone and approaching more mainstream territory. The song detailed the importance of a partner to help navigate the rough waters that these days feel increasingly turbulent.
“‘Count On You’ is a musical jump for us that breaks us out to the edge of the genre we've embraced,” Perry says. “It identifies us as a band that fits into categories but is not ruled by them. It shows our growth and willingness to try new things but doesn't change the feeling of the music.”
A few short months later, they celebrated a head-turning appearance at New England Americana Festival in June with “Tonight,” a bluesy, bar-soaked romp centered around a feeling of helplessness and desire to break free from restraint. It contained enough unbridled energy to appeal to the rock and roll scene and just enough twang to keep the Americana crowd honest.
The remaining trio of songs on Till the Well Runs Dry follow similar lyrical themes, but continue to push Nate Perry & Ragged Company’s eclectic sound into a usually disparate spectrum of Americana, outlaw country, roots, alternative, pop, and indie rock.
“Having these songs all work together on an EP is the defining element of this record,” Perry states. “The songs may sound different, but they all sound like Nate Perry & Ragged Company.”
The weathered “Between the Lines,” a heartfelt power ballad that shines with classic Americana ambition, recounts his time leaving the Army, with Perry addressing his younger self with a stern sense of newfound awareness and street smarts. “It's literal at some points and figurative in others,” he admits. “It takes the point of view of a paternal figure speaking to his son as he grows into a man, and how plans rarely work as expected and how that's no excuse to quit. It's directly inspired by conversations with my own dad.”
The propulsive “Disappear,” with a sonic lineage to Springsteen, was penned by Perry as an act of personal rebellion, taking a stand and confronting the things that once brought him down. “It's about finding love and a bit of light at the end of the tunnel when you realize you can start living again,” he offers. “It's a lyrical description of how I felt when I switched gears and started getting after my dreams. Instead of waiting around till they're gone.”
And soaring EP closer “How Much it Matters” follows a similar thematic path, about looking back on a lifestyle of living fast and not caring about the future, giving in to short-term gratification and excess while a voice in your head suggests there’s something more out there awaiting. “It's not an apology or confession,” Perry warns, “but more of a statement about how living like that didn't set me up for the long term and all the opportunities I missed by living carelessly.”
Those three new songs, paired with the previous singles, paints a portrait of a songwriter growing increasingly more comfortable in his own skin, and a band forming a special kind of cohesion and chemistry.
“We continue to improve personally and as a group,” Perry concludes. “We're genuinely friends and have great mutual respect for each other. We disagree about things as all bands do, but when it's time to step up and show out, we deliver. The time between our debut and now has been a near constant ascent in both songs and live shows. We've accomplished massive goals and have shown ourselves to be a band that has the work ethic and ability to keep growing.”
And that's fueled by the connections each member feels towards one another, and the growing connection between Nate Perry & Ragged Company and its audience, which can be found at each show rocking the band’s t-shirts and singing along to each lyric with an impassioned energy.
Because when the audience rocks out, they’re looking up at the stage; and when they sing Perry’s lyrics back to him, they’re also looking back at themselves.
Media Contact: Direct press inquiries to Michael O’Connor Marotta at michael@knyvet.com,
and reach Nate Perry & Ragged Company at nateperryandraggedcompany@gmail.com.
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Nate Perry & Ragged Company is:
Nate Perry: Lead vocals and guitar
Sam DeMello: Drums
Connor Milligan: Bass and vocals
Ollie Nash: Keys and vocals
Mike Chandler: Lead guitar
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‘Till the Well Runs Dry’ production credits:
Written by Nate Perry & Ragged Company
Lyrics by Nate Perry
Produced by Brian Charles at Rare Signals in Cambridge, MA
EP artwork photo by Collin Heroux
EP artwork design by Mike Chandler and Lance Fullin
EP artwork graphic by Wes Allen
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‘Till the Well Runs Dry’ artwork:
Photo by Collin Heroux; design by Mike Chandler and Lance Fullin; graphic by Wes Allen
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Nate Perry & Ragged Company short bio:
After leaving the Army in 2018, frontman Nate Perry returned to the Boston area with a new mission: To start a band. Stationed near Nashville, Perry had initially focused on a military career, but his time in Kentucky and Tennessee reignited his long-held passion for music. During his time off, he immersed himself in Nashville's live music scene, captivated by the musicians on stage who were living the dream he longed to pursue.
Back in Boston, Nate soon connected with guitarist Mike Chandler, a seasoned player whose previous band had recently disbanded. Together, they began shaping a new musical direction. To complete the lineup, they brought in drummer Sam DeMello, bassist Connor Milligan, and keyboardist Ollie Nash. This collaboration birthed Nate Perry & Ragged Company, a dynamic new force in the Americana-rock scene.
Since forming, Nate Perry & Ragged Company have been lighting up the Boston music scene and beyond, playing shows that highlight their infectious songwriting and electric guitar-driven sound. In 2024, they released their debut EP, The Otherside of Everything, which rapidly garnered over 10,000 streams, a testament to their growing popularity. New single “Count on You” dropped ahead of appearing at Boston Calling Music Festival in Spring 2025, followed by “Tonight” ahead of the New England Americana Fest and Levitate Backyard. Sophomore EP Till the Well Runs Dry arrives in September 2025.
Nate Perry's journey from the Army to concert stages is a testament to the power of finding and following one's passion, turning the muse of Nashville into the sounds of a rising Boston band.
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Nate Perry & Ragged Company live this fall:
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Media praise for Nate Perry & Ragged Company:
“Modern, explosive, rockin’...” _Geoff Wilbur’s Music Blog
“Americana sweethearts.” _Hump Day News
“The way this band conquers is formidable.” _End Sessions
“This Boston-based band brings Americana and alternative rock to Boston Calling, grounding their sound in bluesy riffs, acoustic textures, and rock melodies.” _Boston.com
“Nate Perry & Ragged Company previewed a busy summer with their sure-footed roots rock…” _Boston Globe
“‘Tonight’ is the perfect vehicle for the band’s country, alternative Americana sound, the new single a heady mix of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers ‘Damn the Torpedoes’ vibes, with a side of early, Rolling Stones blues.” _Music Love Music
“Three bands unknown to me were so impressive I’ve started a deep dive into their music. Two are Boston-based and would be great additions to the Newport lineup in 2026. Nate Perry and Ragged Company, a tight quintet with rootsy Americana/Springsteen flavors, delivered a toe-tapping, butt-shaking 30 minute show.” _Item Live
“It was recommended that I go see Nate Perry & Ragged Company on the [Boston Calling] Orange Stage, and I loved their genuine rock & roll sound.” _Culture Beat
“Nate Perry & Ragged Company were one of the biggest and most surprising discoveries for us at this year’s Boston Calling. The Boston Americana outfit blew away everyone lucky enough to see them on the Orange Stage, and if you missed them, they just released a new single sure to clue you in on how great they are. ‘Tonight’ is the definition of country-rock. It has all of the twang you need in a country song but with a rock edge and a fantastic guitar solo to boot.” _If It’s Too Loud
“Kind of R.E.M.-era Athens meets alternative country’s Nashville. It’s a brand of energetic Americana that seems to infect the standout Northeast Americana outfits much more than it does the best of the genre I hear from other parts of the country.” _Geoff Wilbur’s Music Blog
“If you’re already a fan or are just now joining us, ‘Count On You’ is both a refresher and a starting point that mixes both The Killers and The Cure-type flourishes (Hot Fuss/Wish respectively) meant to give listeners the warm and fuzzies with the old world Americana Rawk that Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band STILL do so well today. … ‘Count On You’ is a masterclass on genre-blending and blurs the lines between Pop, Alternative, Country, Folk, Rawk and more for a timeless tune that’s sure to be a blast to hear live across stages this Summer.” _Rock And Roll Fables
“Nate Perry & Ragged Company, embodies everything that is good about music, they write inspiring and well crafted songs combined with powerful and electrifying live performances.” _The Whole Kameese
“[Nate Perry & Ragged Company] deliver their own brand of high-octane alternative rock, full of strong melodies and fist-pumping choruses. Opening number ‘Maria’ embodies the very ethos of the band, with Perry’s passionate vocals and Chandler’s stinging guitar solo positioning their sound in a similar area to the Gaslight Anthem or even Blacksmoke Cherry just minus the southern accent. Following tracks ‘All I Need’, and ‘Another Day’, continue at a gallop, each with their own infectious chorus, before the radio-friendly ‘Evergreens’ offers a slight change of pace. The EP finishes with the heavy blues of ‘Preacher’, which draws comparison to the iconic rock bands of the seventies such as Bad Company.” _Americana UK
“Nate Perry & Ragged Company bring a big country sound and a little alt-rock energy to what’s primarily an energetic Americana style on The Otherside of Everything. Kind of R.E.M.-era Athens meets alternative country’s Nashville... ‘Another Day’ is another alt rock-meets-Americana number. …Stylistically, what if John Mellencamp rocked along with the grainy, barely-constrained energy of a rollicking Bruce Springsteen song? Well, its sound might be something like this.” _Geoff Wilbur’s Music Blog
“We can’t believe we are late to the party with Nate Perry & Ragged Company… The Otherside Of Everything is that perfectly poured glass of beer and the perfect sunset all rolled into one but… set to music. There is this real familiar feel on the EP that really makes the listener feel connected to the music. We found ourselves almost singing along instantly.” _The Whole Kameese
“Nate and his band, Ragged Company, are on a steady rise, and their five-song EP, “The Otherside of Everything”, is clear proof. A collection of tracks that feel both classic and fresh, the EP — recorded at Rare Signal Studios by the renowned Brian Charles — strikes a perfect balance between polish and raw emotion. At its heart is Nate’s voice, which stands out for its sincerity, strength, and natural fit within the band’s sound. He doesn’t just sing; he connects.” _New England Americana Fest blog
“All hail the singable chorus. Nate Perry & Ragged Company serve one up on our highlighted track ‘Maria.’ It’s just one piece of the puzzle, along with twang-laden verses, a bridge to recoup momentum, and a guitar solo at about the three-quarter mark that bleeds tastefully into the grand finale where the band dutifully repeats the lyrics they’ve taught you throughout the song, except this time you join in, because you remember things, and then we all take a swig of beer.” _Hump Day News
“A Boston-based group that finds its inspiration from the rootsier end of the American music spectrum. Lining their work with acoustic guitars and bluesy riffs, their work can also feel pretty anthemic and ready for a big crowd.” _Graeme Bentley, Boston’s 92.5FM The River
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Press Contact: Michael O’Connor Marotta at michael@knyvet.com
Band Contact: Mike Chandler at nateperryandraggedcompany@gmail.com
HOMEPAGE . SPOTIFY . BANDCAMP . INSTAGRAM . FACEBOOK . TIKTOK . YOUTUBE . LINKTREE
