My Fantasy Band: Nathaniel Rateliff

Vocals - Otis Redding and Rebert H Harris, Edward Allen and W R Johnson

Otis Redding would be the lead vocalist, which really needs no explanation. The other three were members of the Soul Stirrers, one of Sam Cooke's early bands. The background vocals on some of that stuff makes me kind of weepy sometimes, so I'd have them doing that.

Guitar - Eric Campuzano

He played in a band called the Lassie Foundation. He has really great finesse and power, and really great tone at the same time.

Bass - Daniel Spack

He plays in Volcano Choir, which is a collaboration between Justin Vernon and Collections of Colonies of Bees, and he's just a great guy. I'd rather have somebody with a really solid personality on the bass that makes a few mistakes every once in a while.

Drums - Matt Barrick

He drums for the Walkmen. He's a great player and has really great ideas and he's so exciting to watch, he's the kind of drummer who I think probably has trouble staying in his seat. I like their stuff a lot, I've been listening to their most recent record, 'Lisbon'. They seem to get better all the time, it's pretty amazing.

Piano - James Han

He's not super well known, but he's an amazingly skilled player. He actually plays with me sometimes and he also plays in a bunch of other bands as a backing musician. He kind of has a gospel and stride piano background, with a little touch of classical training in there too. He never over-plays and he also happens to be a great organ player.

Nathaniel Rateliff plays the Borderline, London, on 26 May (with support from Pete Roe) for the release of a limited edition live EP on Communion/Daytrotter. See www.nathanielrateliff.com for details. His album 'In Memory of Loss' is out now.