Musician tunes in to Nambour’s artistic heartbeat

Border collie, Teddy, ‘chew-ns’ the ukelele for owner Andrea Kirwin, who has set up shop in Nambour’s Queen Street.

by Cameron Outridge

NAMBOUR’S burgeoning arts and culture reputation has been boosted by the arrival of Peace Run Records & Agency. Owner and renowned singer, songwriter and producer Andrea Kirwin couldn’t resist setting up shop in the quaint Queen Street location.

“I love Nambour. I’m always out there promoting Nambour,” she said. “I think it has such potential to be like the Melbourne of Queensland. It’s got all this culture and art scene vibe.

“I got into music through jamming at cafes in Canberra at uni. So, that’s the energy I was looking for, some- where close to a hub where people come to relax. So it was a perfect fit moving in to Queen Street next door to Husk & Honey Cafe.”

Andrea teaches music on guitar, vocals, keyboard and ukulele and mentors emerging singer-song- writers. And her online events, staged from the shop, have been drawing wide interest. “So, I do live-stream boutique concerts on our little stage here, where we sell tickets for a virtual concert that you can watch anywhere in the world, direct from Queen Street, Nambour.

“Our aim is to do these shows and give the videos — which are really top, top quality — to the artists. We pay them to play, just a small fee at the moment because I’m investing my own money into it. 

“But my goal is to start paying them really well, plus create footage for them so they can continue to promote themselves.”

Andrea’s entrepreneurial journey to Peace Run Records began as an independent singer-songwriter when she realised she would have to produce her own music. “Record labels don’t come to your door and offer you lots of money to record your own music,” she said.

“So, I set up Peace Run Records through the NEIS (New Enterprise Incentive Scheme) back in 2009. And the name originated from basically running your music career peacefully, along with a family life and doing it within a community.

“It’s always been a goal of mine to make music but not have to tour, because touring is really not as glamorous as you think it is. It’s a big investment and, because of the amount of entertainment available to people, crowds aren’t going to gigs like they used to. 

“I did three tours with the release of my three albums and I lost money every time because of the outlay of flights for bands and things like that. So, live-streamed concerts are a way of engaging with an international audience through the internet. And we don’t have to spend nine months of the year away from our families.”

Teddy in on the Act

Interestingly, Teddy, a 10-week-old Wheaten border collie has quickly settled in to life in Queen St and comes to work with Andrea. The former SmartPups dog trainer said she would train Teddy to help out.

“I’ll be training him to be, basically, a music therapy dog where, when kids come in to learn, they might be feeling a bit anxious, and they can cuddle Teddy. 

“It helps bring out their voice because, often, when you feel nervous, it constricts your vocal cords. Having a dog always relaxes people and moves them into being present.”

Div 10 Cr David Law said he was thrilled to hear about Andrea’s business and encouraged by the creative talent being drawn to Nambour.

“Working with people on the Special Entertainment Precinct, even prior to the election, and watching what they have been able to achieve in spite of COVID is amazing,” he said. 

“There are a couple of venues that are on a musical journey at the moment and having Andrea launch Peace Run Records recently adds to the momentum. 

“I think Queen Street has got a lot of potential to become this entertainment heartbeat from the middle of Nambour outwards.”

Virtual Blues Concert November 5

Peace Run Records & Agency will present their first Thursday night blues livestream concert on Thursday 5 November featuring Sunshine Coast Blues pocket rocket Olivia Ruth, Howlin’ Matty Rogers, the unforgettable Karl S Williams and the Coast’s Godfather of Blues, Barry Charles. Livestream tickets $20.