Nik Hamby

The TSA-SONGWRITING AWARDS (Australia’s National Country Songwriting Contest) closed at the end of September.  I was encouraged to enter when I read a flyer forwarded to me by email.  There were a number of categories for entries, including a new songwriter section and one for songs about local heroes. Have you written a song with the main subject/theme being to honour some person or Fire Fighters, Ambo, Nurse, Soldier, Volunteers, Drover, Explorer, another songwriter? Then enter that song on the Local Heroes Section. TSA donates half the entry fees of this section to Legacy. When I saw The Local Heroes Section, I thought of "The Greater Prize" song that I wrote earlier this year.  (this one is not yet released but I've played it a few times at Platform 5 and had lots of positive response when I've shared it with online audiences also). I decided to enter a few songs in the TSA Contest. I entered the categories of Local Hero, Country Ballad, and New Songwriter Award...

What an amazing start to the month. I played a double header at Platform 5 on Saturday the 3rd - 12 to 2 pm and then 6 to 8 pm. The lunch-time sets saw all sorts of people rolling in to have a listen.   Even had a walk-by stay for a while.   He was from Townsville and was very complimentary of the songs I played and my performance.  The evening was quieter due to The RiverFire festival in Brisbane. There were still a few listeners enjoying the music and soaking up the atmosphere.  Playing all original works and focussing on melodies and lyrics engages the listeners. So very different to the contemporary music scene.   There are many who try to categorise music but I feel my shows go beyond genre. There is a depth in music when it contains a piece of the writer. It takes on the complexities of the person.  Looking forward to working the magic again when I return to Platform 5 in November!

I had a great night out on Friday. My first “originals only” show. Two hours of music. Two sets of my acoustic songs. “Soulful-Original” was the tagline.   Most songs have already been released but some new offerings were seeing the lights on the stage for the first time. Friends rocked up to check out the music and there was plenty of applause and encouragement.  The venue was great with good food and drinks. My recently acquired PA worked perfectly. Best of all I was asked if I would be ok with more bookings. Can’t get much better than that.  UPDATE:  I'm now confirmed for two sessions on Saturday, 27 August!  I'll be playing live from 12 to 2:00pm and then again from 6:00 to 8:00pm.   Thanks to you all for following my journey. All the best and I hope I’ll see you at a gig - sometime ...

“No Place To Go” released overnight.  I really love this song and I’ve had lots of other people let me know they really love it, too.  I wrote the song initially as an exercise with the I heart Songwriting Club.  That was in December last year.  It took an hour to write but was originally called “Lentils In A Can”! I explored some different production ideas with this song. One of my good friends inspired the re-write and I'm very happy with this later version.  When I sent my friend the re-worked song, he said it made him cry - but then felt better afterwards.  Cant get much better than that - enjoy!

Time to uncover my latest track release - Undercover Killer. This song came out of the songwriting group as a bit of fun and was so well received that I shared with some others and got more encouragement.  I decided to produce and release the song and its been awesome fun working the rock feel and processing the vocals.  Have a listen.  Thanks!

Such a big week! We went down to Melbourne for my daughter's final end of study celebration - and had an awesome day with her on Tuesday.  I played a few songs at Musicland (Fawkner, Melbourne) on Wednesday night, as part of their Biggest Open Mic Night (BOM).  I Played Breathe, The Magician, and No Place to Go. There was some positive feedback and the night itself was a lot of fun.  Lots of Wiggles songs were played cos they had a young guy there who was a big fan.  (It was his first ever live music event due to autism).   That same Wednesday, I'd released my new single, Only 4 You. The song was a Songwriters Club song on the theme of a serenade but ended up being about a guy waiting for something far more. I've had some really good feedback on this one and love the way it travels and unfolds. Have a listen and see what you think. I flew back into Brisbane on Thursday evening, worked on Friday and then then did an hour online concert with Giving Gigs in the U...

Hi all - hope you are all well and safe.  I started my fourth album release program last night.  The first single, "The Mountain", released into all the streaming platforms - at the stroke of midnight.  I already have “Only for You” ready to go (on 25 May) and the third single is also loaded for launch on 15 June.  This first single evolved from a piece of music recorded by Rick Lisk. I worked from that chord progression and created "The Mountain".   There's a video on Facebook which gives a bit of background about the song's development.  (Link to FB at the top of the page.  Worth a look for the stuff that doesn't make it to here). Rick hails from Canada so the song is set amongst snow-capped mountains.  The song follows the life of a single parent with two children.  There is a drinking problem and a feeling of time running faster and faster as the kids grow up. This song inspires me every time I play it.  Enjoy “The Mountain” and...