Meet Natalie White | Music Composer & Creative Specialist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Natalie White and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Natalie, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Everything I’ve ever pursued or will ever pursue is fueled by a resolute desire to express myself creatively. That is what drives me—not money, not recognition, nor any other tenet of “hustle” culture. And I tend to get bored easily. Since childhood, the things that interest me most engage my imagination. Whether I’m composing and producing music; working with textiles; doing visual design and animation; for me, it’s all about getting ideas out of my skull and realizing some tangible result. I decided to build a career that gives me the autonomy to work with creative folks who inspire me on projects that stimulate my imagination.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Pumashock Arts is my creative services business. I specialize in brand identity and design; and music composition for video games, short film, and animation. As for creative branding, I cut my teeth professionally at a large corporate branding firm before becoming a freelancer. I worked with high-profile global brands from General Motors to Northrop Grumman. Now, I’m part of the creative team at Decent DAO, a premier on-chain DeFi venture studio. I recently scored an animated series pilot called “MINE” which is part of the Rise Home Stories project and premiered at the 2021 Tribeca Festival. I also have an extensive history of performance and recording experience at home and abroad, including my appearance on ABC’s American Idol spin-off “All American Girl.” These days, I’ve prioritized a newfound passion for video production, game development and digital animation. I’m currently working with Unreal Engine 5, developing interactive mini-worlds that offer new ways to experience my original music. I’m hoping to attract more opportunities to combine music with digital design going forward.
I enjoy tinkering on other instruments (beyond the piano, my first love); my latest obsession is a 6/6 cross-strung harp. I’m also an avid needlecraft enthusiast and have a distant dream of publishing my designs one day.
My journey has been anything but linear or “normal.” And it certainly hasn’t been easy. But I take pride in the way that I’ve leveraged each opportunity to forge a path all my own. I’ve amassed a broad collection of experiences across creative spaces, which I believe has shaped a fresh perspective and an unconventional approach to projects. I’m a classic jack-of-all-trades whose output eschews any label.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m a bit of a recluse, but there are a few spots in the city that always lure me out of the house:

Condesa Coffee – Can’t beat that baked oatmeal!

Three Taverns Imaginarium – Love having an ice-cold pint out in the sunny yard.

Freedom Farmers Market – Such a cozy setting that offers lots of variety without feeling overcrowded and overwhelming.

The Craftivist – Great selection of high-quality yarns and notions. Kind and helpful staff. Protect this place at all costs.

Gato – My favorite brunch in the city!

Woo Nam Jeong – One of my go-tos for a spicy Korean feast.

East Atlanta Family Dentist – I really like my dentist. That’s all.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Yes! First and foremost, I have to shout out my partner (in business and in life), Rob. He has been the most amazing force of encouragement, love and support in my life and my endeavors. It’s also pretty lucky that he’s an incredible musician in his own right—his natural gift for audio engineering and massive knowledge of music across the globe has elevated my professional capabilities exponentially. He’s my best friend and we make a great team. If you need some magical ears on your audio, he’s the guy.

Another big shoutout goes to my favorite ATL homie, Ariana: https://www.instagram.com/arianacriverag/. She’s a spectacular artist and graphic designer who creates with so much passion and integrity. She has a joyful energy that’s just infectious—the kind of person you can’t help but fall in love with. I’m so honored to have her as a friend and creative kindred.

One more shoutout goes to my mentor and honorary “big bro,” Teo. He is a visionary creative director, super funky bassist and devoted educator. I’ve had the pleasure of performing with him on stage, and I’d wager that few in the world could match his energy and charisma. He works relentlessly, using his craft to effect change in the world, and he still finds the time to listen and lend some encouraging words when I need it most. Check out his STEAM programs at DEILAB: https://www.deilab.com/.

Website: https://www.pumashock.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pumashock/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pumashock/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/home

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Pumashock

Other: I co-host a music podcast with local DJ and fellow musician Tara Davies called Record Store Society. Check us out: https://www.recordstoresociety.com/