brisbane music

Right now in the Australian dance scene, Brisbane boy Nick Galea is one of the hottest talents going around. From a hectic touring schedule to continuously releasing productions, his name is well-respected by both punters and industry insiders. Brisbane Music caught up with Galea recently to talk music, touring, studio techniques and old-school Mini’s.

BM. Hi Nick thanks for your time today. 2010 has been a busy year so far for you. What’s the most memorable part so far?
Thanks for having me. The most memorable moment of 2010 so far for me would have to be finally seeing the release of one of the tunes that I worked on for a long time in “I Believe” featuring Amba Shepherd. After one week on promo “I Believe” charted at #11 on the ARIA Club Chart, making it the highest chart entry of 2010. When you get a response like that to an original production, it makes all of those late nights and early mornings spent toiling hard in the studio seem incredibly worth it.

BM. You have been getting a lot of support from the big guys in the industry, how do you feel when such notable personalities comment on your work?
It really is an amazing honour to see big industry players supporting my productions. Some of these guys, like James Zabiela and Dave Seaman, I’ve looked up to throughout my entire musical career. When I see them playing my tracks to crowds that are in excess of twenty thousand punters on YouTube, in countries such as Peru, Mexico, England and even Chile, it just makes me think ‘wow’. It gives me the biggest thrill and also fuels me to continue to work hard and make it in this cut-throat industry.

BM. Your profile on the dance scene has been building steam and as such there is a lot of anticipation for your new original tracks, what can you tell us about them?
“I Believe” has just dropped now and it’s a track that is aimed more at a wider audience, yet is equally at home being played on the radio or in a packed nightclub. In a couple of months, I’ll release “Tuning” and “The Warehouse”. These two tracks in particular will see me go back to my club roots, as the singles are of a more progressive house/techno nature. In saying that, I’ve still got a few great full vocal singles on the way. Hopefully, they’ll blow the punters away and really impress them.

BM. What’s your process when developing a track?
When I develop a track it all happens pretty naturally. I generally start off with an idea, for example, it may be a piano hook that I might choose to play. From there, I build the track around that and if I feel the track has great potential, I’ll shop around for a vocalist so that they can work their magic over the track with some lyrics. There’s a bit more to it than that (laughs) but that’s how it happens basically.

BM. How does it feel to be able to put out your own baby? Compared to remixes?
It’s a precious feeling when an original production that you’ve worked hard on gets released. With originals, you’ve started from scratch and built the track up yourself. You’ve worked hard for hours, playing around with different tricks that work and some that don’t. Contrastingly, with remixes you’re using sounds that have already been created so you’re putting your take on something that’s already been made, which, as good as it still is, isn’t as special as an original…especially when it succeeds. In saying that though, I still approach remixes as if it’s my own work and always try and make it my next big record.
BM. What’s the big date circled on your calendar this year?
Everyday’s a big day and each show is just as important as the next, so there’s no particular date that I’m zoning in on. In this industry, it’s all about being consistent and continuously putting out good productions, regardless of whether it’s an original or remix. If I can stay on top of my game production wise, and also continue to put on good shows across the country, then fingers crossed good things will continue to happen for me.

BM. If you wanted to let your fans know one thing about you, what would it be?
I’m really into restoring old 1960’s Mini’s, not too many people know that about me. People find it funny that I drive around in a 1960 Mini that I restored myself, especially when they consider I was a late bloomer and didn’t even get my driver’s license until I was in my twenties (laughs).
BM. What more can we expect from Nick Galea in 2010?
Fans can expect to hear loads of new music coming out from me in 2010. I have a new EP, which is untitled at the moment, but that will be the next original ‘cab of the rank’ so to speak following “I Believe”. There’s also heaps of remixes coming on a variety of different labels so keep an eye out for my remixes of Jump Jump Dance’s new single “Show Me The Night”. Also, my remix of East & Young’s “Reveal” will be released really soon. Other than that, I’ll be partaking in a busy touring schedule so that all of my fans get the chance to catch me live – that’s what it’s all about!

Thanks for your time Nick.

Nick Galea – I Believe (featuring Amba Shepherd) is out next week (14th April 2010) on Beatport and iTunes.

Upcoming dates:
April 9th – The Met, Fortitude Valley
April 10th – East 88, Broadbeach
April 15th – Tomba’s Nightclub, Toowoomba