Aaron Nathans' specialty is writing songs about nothing. And yet, they're clearly about something.

This Delaware-based acoustic guitar player picks small things to write about, like grapefruit, squirrels and politicians. Nathans, who recently relocated from Madison, Wisconsin, deftly evokes a sense of place, balancing emotion with a wicked sense of humor.

He released his debut album, "Same Old You," in spring 2005. The new folk-rock record crackles with honesty and heartfelt storytelling. It offers a vast sweep of music, from a Rockwell portrait of a New England morning to cold nights in the American West.

Nathans' song, "I Remember Howard Dean," was selected by National Public Radio for its election-week edition of the online program "Open Mic" in November 2004. On the title track of the new CD, he tells the story of a heavy metal rocker who finds religion. It's one of his most popular live numbers, along with his groovy, cheesy rocker "Senator McCain."

"Same Old You" was created with the unlikely Madison production team of Tom Blain (Amy Curl, Nob Hill Boys, Harmonious Wail) and guitar guru Bradley Fish, now living in Israel.

The album includes songs co-written with Eric Hester and Dale Kidd. "Same Old You" includes guest performances by Bradley Fish, Amy Curl, Doug Brown, Erin O'Brien, Andrew Nath, and Madison Area Music Award-winner Beth Kille of Clear Blue Betty.

His songs have been covered by Mark Croft, Stephen Lee Rich, Greg Winkler, Nancy Rost and Amy Curl.

Aaron Nathans is a native of New Jersey, and grew up in Bexley, Ohio. He is a journalist and lives in Wilmington with his wife, playwright Debra Neff Nathans.

Among his many Madison-area live shows, Nathans has appeared at Songwriters in the Round at the Casbah, Hilldale Brat Fest, and has been an occasional host of the "Open Mic that Would Not Die." He has performed in Minnesota and at Chicago's Uncommon Ground.

He is a four-time finalist in the Midwest Songwriting Competition, and was selected in 2005 as a finalist in the SolarFest Songwriters' Showcase in Tinmouth, Vt.