Feature - Nambour’s Musical Threads

Nambour is a town with a vibrant music scene. It also has the privilege of being a Special Entertainment Precinct, opening the town to a world of possibilities in music.

by Rebecca Mugridge

Aaron from Bad Habit Records is one of the passionate people right at the heart of Nambour’s music scene. 

“We have an incredible array of artists and bands that play here, and people who back them.I also have loads of enthusiastic and talented young people coming in my store, where they can be immersed in the culture and find opportunities to play with some impressive professional bands,” Aaron says.

“I’ve been involved in music since I was a teenager myself, and Nambour felt like somewhere where you could make things happen; ready for something a bit more gritty and underground. 

“Nambour being a bit more working-class, you find people are a bit more open. It just has this good space for interesting stuff and is starting to get a name internationally now too as a good place to come and play. 

“We are trying to build a robust culture of music. Every month or two we have an international band come through. The next coming up is a 1980s UK goth band, who played with The Cure.”

Aaron says the hardest part for music events is getting the word out there. “The skillset for promoting a show is so much harder than people expect. Social media is saturated with sponsored posts and AI and whatever you do there just blurs into the general noise. “So, we have gone back to the old school style of putting up posters everywhere and going to other gigs and handing out literal bits of paper to people,” he says. 

Networking is key. “We continually reach out to other people who are doing interesting stuff locally and try to collaborate with them as well. We also like to function as support for all the other people doing it too.”

Aaron speaks highly of the town’s musical youth. “A lot of the stuff we try and do is all ages, there is a nice crew of kids from the high school that come along. Some have started bands and they get to play with an international band just down the road from where they go to school, and that’s really good for them.

“The band that plays the most is a band called Flogg, from Nambour State College.”

It is not surprising that talented up-and-coming bands are emerging from Nambour State College, the school runs Nambour Academy of Creative Arts (NACA), a drama, dance, visual arts and music program - this gives musical teenagers a valuable start in their career.

NACA Head of Music, Elizabeth Clout, says the school’s program launches careers.

“Numerous bands that are currently making significant strides in the music industry have emerged from Nambour State College, having been cultivated within our comprehensive music program…with a multitude of performance opportunities, allowing them to gain invaluable experience and exposure.

“Our students frequently participate in open mic nights, engage in busking, and perform at various gigs across the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.

“Additionally, many bands that have evolved through our program continue to release original music, contributing to the vibrant local scene.”

Nambour State College has a reputation for producing artists, Elizabeth shares,“Notably, Jon Coghill of Powderfinger is a proud Nambour State College Alumni, along with Malia Stirling, who has been touring Australia sharing her music and was also a support performer for Thirsty Merc and Vanessa Amorosi. 

“Furthermore, many of our vocalists who have progressed through the Junior NACA Music Program and Senior Certificate III in Music Program have secured lead roles in the state-level Performing Arts Showcase: Creative Generation, which is presented at the Queensland Convention and Exhibition Centre each year and is also broadcast on television.

“NACA Music is an esteemed Excellence Program designed for students who possess a profound passion and talent for music. Whether they are rock musicians, jazz vocalists, or classical pianists, each student's artistic pursuits are nurtured and supported.”

Since its inception in 2019, the NACA music students have actively engaged with the community, showcasing their talents in various events such as the Battle of the Bands,

Creative Generation: State Schools on Stage, Yandina Street Fair, and Nambour Rummager Markets, as well as performances at local primary schools.

Additionally, students participate in the school’s annual music events, including 'Eats n Beats,' 'Lunchtime Concert Series,' and 'Let’s Get Loud.' 

One student who recently graduated is Charli Caldwell. 

“Currently I am studying a Bachelor of Music at UniSC and I am a year through. This year I have really immersed myself into the professional world: playing gigs and weddings all over the coast with my duo, Charli & V. 

“I adore the Sunshine Coast theatre and music community and it feels like home. Recently I’ve decided to begin my vocal coaching journey. This has always been a dream of mine and I am just overwhelmed at the positive response.

“The NACA program and arts certificates offered at NSC truly helped me come into my own as a professional musician and performer. My confidence boomed. My teachers were phenomenal, and I give it all to them. 

“The NACA program was built from the ground up by the hands of these teachers who just cared SO much. I appreciate them and how they prepared me for the industry and really just life!

“So many talented young students are coming out of this NACA program, that we have a fresh generation. I think Nambour is quirky and vibrant at the same time. The town definitely has the ability to bring a new layer to music on the coast!” Charli says.