Feature - More Musical Threads

by Rebecca Mugridge

In December 2024 we printed Nambour’s Musical Threads, by Rebecca Mugridge, highlighting the creative talent from the local high school and within the community, plus the support of businesses such as Bad Habit Records. But one story doesn’t cover it, as you will soon see!

 “Nambour has the most diverse emerging music scene second-to-none across the Coast.”

Nambour Councillor David Law is proud of the musical culture in the town. 

“From grass roots to national and international touring acts there is so much going on in Nambour, representing all genres. I am sure that the entertainment zoning has been a significant element in this progression for Nambour’s reputation for music and the arts in all forms. 

“For music, arts and culture Nambour is the place to be now and in the future, and there are many businesses and people based in Nambour involved in the music scene and event production, including ASV audiovisual; Astute Sound; StuffIT and more.” 

One of the most exciting musical venues to launch in Nambour is the gorgeously styled,

The Presynct; a place where you immediately melt into the mood with styled lighting, nods to steam punk and musical themed architecture. A feast for the eyes and ears created by visionary owner and artist Rusty Nyman and her daughter, Cherry. 

Rusty is a musician and Cherry grew up with music all around her. 

“Cherry’s father was a famous musician in the ‘80s, he played with bands like Geisha and Pseudo Echo. I started playing the piano when I was four and I am classically trained. My first job was in a music store at 15,” shares Rusty.

“The past 12 months have been a remarkable but challenging journey. As women running a venue in Nambour’s newly designated Special Entertainment Precinct, we have encountered obstacles — like tradespeople directing questions to unrelated males instead of recognising us as the decision-makers behind this space. It hasn’t been easy establishing ourselves as the first specialised venue in the area.

Together, we have worked tirelessly to build what we have in just one year, and this space is here for people to go, ‘You know what, I’m beat, I need to go out, I need to hear music and then feel good and reset’.

“We tried to make it feel like a homely living room, but a little bit quirky, a little bit steam punk, a little bit indulgent. There is a giant guitar neck on the ceiling with strings.”

She has recently enlisted famous musician OJ Newcomb from the John Butler Trio [and many other career credits] to accelerate The Presynct. 

“Reaching our one-year milestone, we made the strategic decision to bring OJ on board to help us elevate the venue further. This choice reflects our vision for growth, recognising the value of collaboration.

“My goal is to really activate Nambour, to see Nambour like a way cooler, way funkier version of West End. The great thing about The Presynct is that you’ll have someone that is 18 through to someone that is 80. And everyone is hanging out and having a great time. And it doesn’t matter what gender, what age, we do every genre. It has become like a community.

OJ’s experience and musical connections bring an exciting level to Nambour through The Presynct and he is very positive about Nambour’s future.

“It’s going to turn into that place, the Nambour Entertainment Precinct, a creative hub on the Sunshine Coast,” he says.

“We have music coming from Canada, Melbourne, Sydney, Western Australia. We have bands like Cheap Fakes who are favourites at Woodford. We have a couple of Sydney bands coming up, one is a creative folk artist and one is a soul band - they both sell out venues in Sydney and they are coming up to perform to Nambour. 

“We have a band from Newcastle that are currently working with Noiseworks and the producers of Ocean Alley. There is a band coming through called Camino Gold; they have a great sound and are going to be huge! We have a few of the local rock bands and punk bands coming through.”OJ says there is a really active punk scene in Nambour at the moment. “It’s really cool. Reminds me of the UK Punk days, and we also have a local DJ,

Gresham Kidby (DJ KID B) who is bringing authentic original UK Drum and Bass into the venue from overseas and interstate, allowing local upcoming DNB DJs to support some real masters in their genre. Plus, we have a fun variety show called Club Queer. 

“It's quite a buzzing little place!”

OJ believes the opportunities for music in Nambour will continue to grow. “You start building it and creating it and the infrastructure will grow. We are like the heart of the Sunshine Coast.”

OJ loves Nambour and the Hinterland, and lives here too. “I play with the Woombye Snakes, my kids play there, I’m really active and on the committee with that club.

Living in Kiels Mountain where he owns a property and recording studio, Yama-Nui Records, and working in Nambour with The Presynct, he is a prominent figure in the local music scene.At his recording studio he also brings musical talent to the Coast. “We have been operating for 7 years, the engineers working there have won Aria Awards and some have been number one on billboard.

“We have some of the most incredible engineers just in Kiels Mountain – we look after the local talent; we work closely with them and mentor them and give them a lot of industry experience.”

It is an exciting time for the Nambour music scene to have so many talented and passionate people involved, like OJ, who really care about Nambour.

“It is full of creatives. And they are the life blood of what people need in their lives. For me, Nambour is waiting and ready to blossom.”