Nick Kingswell has for the past ten years or so been backing some of the biggest Australian stars around. From the likes of playing with The McClymonts, Jessica Mauboy and Guy Sebastian, Kingswell is finally stepping out on his own courtesy of his debut album Over Easy. Having just spent an extensive period living in L.A., jetlagged, yet excited about his first solo tour, from his parents’ house in Phillip Island Kingswell chats to me about what life on the road is like and how it is to be front and centre on-stage rather than a right-hand man.
“Tex man! It feels great to be back on home soil. I just got in from L.A. last night and so now I am back home preparing for the tour which will take me around the country over the period of two months. Los Angeles is a very crazy place to visit because there is so much happening and so many Australian success stories, from the likes of Chet Faker. He is really massive over here at the moment and to be in the thick of it as it’s happening is pretty swell, too.”
The majority of this trip to the US for Kingswell has been about scrounging around for gigs and trying to get airplay on college radio, which has been a massive success with this album. One of the coolest things about being in L.A. or NYC, as Kingswell relates, is the music royalty that you might bump into along the way.
“I was watching this guy called Zane Carney at Café Hotel in Hollywood last week and bumped into James Valentine of Maroon 5 fame. We went and got kebabs and chatted about guitars and various bands as we walked back to our home. It was a pretty cool moment, I must admit.”
Growing up on Phillip Island, although it may seem like a sheltered musical beginning, Kingswell actually thrived in the surfing and football culture that seemed to go with the music scene. “One day when I was about 7, we were asked to bring a guitar to school and my mum had a nylon string guitar. It just happened. I started playing and since then (as clichéd as it is to say) have never looked back,” Kingswell laughs about his musical beginnings.
Together with Alex Gibson, Imogen Brough, Daniel March and Liam Gerner, Kingswell is touring around the country for the first time as a solo artist playing his own songs. Having worked relentlessly to bring a cracking solo show and energetic sound, Kingswell can’t wait to unleash on Geelong next Sunday, the 8th of February.
“Imogen and Alex have been kicking goals ever since The Voice aired and it will be awesome to go on the road with such talent. It will be cool to be playing my own stuff for a change. I don’t want to fit into a particular format and success for me isn’t about a record deal or fame.
“I know that from performing on The Voice people might have some preconceptions about what I am going to be. But come down and hang out, it’ll be a sweet night of honest songwriting and the next wave of great Australian talent.”
If the recorded album is anything to go by, the live show is sure to be electric. Don’t miss this one, Geelong!
When & Where: The Barwon, Geelong – February 8; Babushka Bar, Ballarat – February 11; and The Loft, Warrnambool – February 12
By Tex Miller
