Last year, less than twenty days after independently releasing his second single, "STILL GOOD", Nathan Oswalt fell into the worst depression of his life. "I've been battling anxiety and depression ever since I started high school, and possibly even before that," he shares. "This time was different." Three days later, on July 29, 2023, the Vancouver, Washington native - who has both autism and Type 1 diabetes - found himself in the hospital after attempting suicide by overdosing on insulin. It was his second suicide attempt in a two-year span, and the first to result in hospitalization. "[The attempt] was more of an urgent cry for help more than an actual desire to end my life, but it was still very scary," Oswalt shares. "I didn't necessarily want to die, but I also knew that I couldn't live like this anymore. The whole ordeal was a major turning point for me."

Over the next few months, Oswalt embarked on a journey of careful reflection, self-evaluation, and rediscovery of himself and his faith. Through frequent therapy sessions, Bible reading, prayer, conversations with family and close friends, and revelatory private writing sessions (the latter of which inevitably morphed into new song material), the neurodiverse aspiring artist ultimately received the help he had so desperately needed for years. "It took a whole heck of a lot of soul-searching to get from where I was then - and from where I had been before - to get to where I am now," he explains. "I've always used songwriting as a means of thought-processing, but at this point in my life, it's evolved into something so much deeper, richer, and more meaningful than just a mere hobby. Now, for me, it's essential."

Following his discharge from therapy, Oswalt set out to put everything that he had learned from the experience into practice. "The whole incident - and its aftermath - was a much-needed wake-up call. Something had to change, and I had to want to change. This time, I did." To that end, he began setting boundaries in his personal life, started developing healthier habits (a consistent daily schedule, for example), and even moved into his own tiny house, constructed in his parents' backyard. He also returned to his part-time day job as a middle school cafeteria worker, more driven and purposeful than ever before. "I told my team about everything," he explains, "and they've been so kind and supportive."

"For the first time in my whole life, I've truly been able to fully comprehend and appreciate that there are, in fact, people in my corner - family, friends, coworkers, therapists, teachers, et cetera - and they all love me and care about me for who I am, while at the same time, they're all gently but consistently pushing me to improve in the areas where I need improvement. For me to actually realize that - and for me to remember that fact on a regular basis - that's a major breakthrough."

Armed with a newfound appreciation for life and gratitude for the people around him, it wasn't long before those people started seeing a profound change in Oswalt's attitude and personality. "A lot of folks keep telling me how proud of me they are," he says. "They're saying stuff like, 'Dude, you're doing so much better. How is that possible?' And I tell them every time, 'God. That's how it's possible.'"

Though he's never been shy about his faith, Oswalt's recent crisis pushed him, in his words, to "dig deeper into what I believe and, more importantly, why I believe what I do." His journey ultimately led him to recommit his life to Christ. "Jesus saved my life. Not just by what He did on the cross to free me from sin and grant me the promise of eternal life, but He saved my life on this side of Heaven twice in the last two years. There's no way to pin my survival - and the change in my heart that followed - on just random coincidence. God did it, one hundred percent."

"The knowledge that the Creator of the universe loves me so much that He sent His Son for me - in spite of all my flaws and failures - is the greatest blessing that I've ever received," Oswalt continues. "I've always believed in God; I've always believed that Jesus died and rose again, but it's taken me so long to really grasp that everything He did, He did for me. And not just for me, but for all those who turn to Him in faith for salvation. To really internalize that in my mind and cement that truth in my heart - that's a Holy Spirit miracle right there."

His faith restored and strengthened, Oswalt has resolved to devote his musical endeavors - and every other aspect of his life - to knowing Jesus more and making Him known to others. "I just want to follow God's plan for my life," he discloses. "Wherever He leads me, that's where I want to be. Whoever he wants me to reach, that's who I want to reach. If He can do what He did for me, He can do the same thing for others, and I believe He wants me to be a vessel that He can use to help people who are going through similar stuff that I went through. Lives - and souls - are at stake. Eternal destinies are on the line. I'm done procrastinating."

Going forward, Oswalt plans to unveil his third single, "WHO KNOWS", on April 19, 2024. Oswalt first penned the track in 2019 - nearly six years ago to the day of its impending release - just before graduating high school. "I was way more optimistic and hopeful about my future back then, before my depression and anxiety reached a breaking point," he reflects. "As a result of everything that's happened since I initially wrote it, this song has taken on a whole new meaning for me. It's about choosing to trust God with your future rather than giving in to fear and doubt over not knowing what the next day is going to bring."

To bring "WHO KNOWS" - which he wrote alongside one of his musical mentors, Steve Hotra - to life, Oswalt teamed up once more with Jonathan Campean (who co-produced and engineered "STILL GOOD") and Ian Manubens (who co-produced Oswalt's debut single, "OUTRUN"). "I've been wrestling for years with the question of whether or not I should release this one," he admits. "A lot of people in my life have heard it already, and they've been suggesting that I record it for years. In the past, I've been hesitant, but after everything that I've been through lately, I've finally made my decision. It's time. This is a key part of my story, my testimony, and it's my God-given responsibility to share that with others."

Following the completion of "WHO KNOWS", Oswalt plans to take some time off from releasing music so that he can focus on honing his craft as a producer and engineer, as a key component of his longtime goal of creating his first-ever full-length studio album. But, as the 23-year-old artist knows all too well, plans can change. "I'll keep everyone updated," he promises. "No matter what happens, I'm just looking forward to whatever the good LORD has in store for me and this musical ministry that He's given me to pursue."

Maybe Nathan Oswalt did die on July 29, 2023 - the old Nathan who had been so hopelessly lost in emotional instability and frequently wrestling with spiritual doubt and social insecurity for so many years. Ever since that fateful day, a different Nathan has emerged - overflowing with humble gratitude for the many blessings that he used to take for granted, firmly rooted in the unwavering truth of Scripture, wholly devoted to his LORD and Savior, and more passionately determined than ever before to spread the Gospel through the musical gifts and talents that he has been entrusted with by the One responsible for lifting him out of the grave of despair and raising him to a joyful, purposeful, beautiful new life. As Jesus Himself declares in John 10:10 (NIV), "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

(And yes, this ridiculously lengthy artist biography was, in fact, written entirely by none other than Nathan myself. If you're still here, kudos to you for reading the whole thing. God Bless!)