NICK LATTA
SINGER/SONGWRITER - AUSTRALIAN MUSICIAN |
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Nick
Latta’s humbling experience in winning the
King and Queen of Song - original
song competition 2008
[and 2009] at
Noosa, Queensland was a wakeup call for this talented
musician. Receiving a standing ovation for his performance
and winning first prize gave Nick
a massive
confidence boost, but he is
still
a little shocked about being selected.
Finding
it difficult to make his mark in Sydney, Nick has made the
brave decision to relocate to Noosa, leaving his family and
friends.
Reflecting on his experience in Noosa while residing in
Sydney:
“I never felt so good in my entire music career as apposed
to playing in Sydney” and he could not wait to return.
“I’m
ready to quit my job [that pays the bills]. It might work
up there [Noosa] for me, it might not, but it’s a chance I’m
willing to take … I want this to work!” he explains.
“Sydney
is very difficult, that is why I have moved to Noosa. I
never got the response [in Sydney] that I get from people in
Noosa…”
So now
Noosa’s music scene is delighted to have Nick as a resident. |
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Playing music since childhood beginning with
percussion then turning to singing and learning the guitar, he has
been in the business for about fifteen years.
Like most musicians, Nick’s writing is inspired by
his life experiences including day-to-day occurrences and
relationships. He has been song writing for about six years and
performed monthly gigs at The Basement in
Sydney.
Despite several
setbacks, Nick is strongly committed to the music business: “I think
ninety per cent of original artists [entertain] solely because of
their passion … I know in
Sydney there is certainly no money in it! There is no reward
other than appreciation from your audience…”
His dreams of
building a successful music career will definitely not be compromised in any way to achieve this. Feeling strongly,
he commits to being true to himself and would never pretend to be
something he’s not in order to sell records.
“What I produce
is because of me, not because of what the market wants or what the
market will pay for. [Being true to yourself] is very difficult for
musicians but I will never change.”
Nick values the
opportunity to perform with some very talented musicians and enjoys
“just playing music in general, being able to play music comes from
[the heart] and to play for other people: that is a highlight for
me.”
“Music to me, I
think, is very important in most people’s lives. And being able to
provide good music that they can connect with is a gift that not a
lot of people can give”, he says.
Even though Nick
doubts that he will ever be signed to a record label, he is happy to
continue making music, for that is his passion.
So what does Nick
hope to achieve now he has moved to Noosa?
“I’m looking
forward to a simpler lifestyle for one, and just to play music.
Just play my guitar and sing to make a living”.
Associated article:
King and Queen of Song
www.myspace.com/nicklattaband
Nick's non
profit/charity involvement is providing funding to support
a child in Africa.
Article and photo by
Chrissy Layton, AusNotebook Music & Creative 2/2/09
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