The Eighth Note is 8 quick Questions with Wellington Musicians. A chance for us to catch up with people & see what they’re up to, or introduce you to a new musician/band and their music. Up next is Nick Hyde, who released debut alum ‘The Mountain’ late last year.
Who are you? Tell us a bit about your music:
I am a songwriter from Wellington that writes melodic acoustic songs from the heart. I started playing Guitar when I was 15 after seeing a Radiohead concert and always wanted to be a professional musician after that, but life got in the way. I gave up music completely in my early/mid twenties and didn’t play for a about 14 years, but then I rediscovered my love for music during the Covid pandemic and wrote 50 songs in a two year period, so decided I needed to record an album and just go for it.
What have you been working on lately? Any new tracks or albums on the way?
I’ve been writing songs for my second album which will be recorded in the first half of the year and released sometime between August and October.
Where is the best place people can follow you & find your music?
Spotify, & Instagram.
What were the 3 most influential albums to you growing up?
Metallica – Ride the Lightning.
Smashing Pumpkins – Mellon Collie and the infinite Sadness.
Michael Jackson – Bad.
Which other Wellington musician (s) would you most like to work with?
Sig Wilder & friends.
Scott Maynard (Zero Cool).
Olivia Campion (Yumi Zouma, Revulva, Mystery Waitress).
Toby Lloyd.
What’s your favourite Wellington venue to play in?
I played a gig at the Welsh Dragon Bar which I really enjoyed, but I would love to play the Opera House one day or open for a big act at the stadium.
In your songwriting or composing (or the band’s songwriting) how do the compositions and songs take shape?
I come up with a chord progression first, then sing a melody over the top then write the lyrics. Then I will practice that song so it becomes second nature and it might change further in that time period. Usually the songs just come and I can finish them in a couple of hours, but sometimes they can take longer where I just write a section at a time.
Where/when is your next gig?
I played a Gardens Magic gig in January, but nothing scheduled at the moment.