Singer/songwriter lives for music, loves Nambour

27 Apr

Community Profile: Andrea Kerwin

Andrea Kirwin is a Singer/songwriter based in Nambour. She writes, records, produces and performs her originals and also runs her independent record label, Peace Run Records, from her Queen Street premises offering music lessons, mentoring and a booking agency for boutique local artists.

• Star Sign: Capricorn.

• Favourite Car: A double decker bus fitted out with a stage and PA.

• The last television show or movie you loved? The Holiday

• One thing on your bucket list? Visit Ireland, my heritage on my father’s side is Irish and I’d love to visit County Cork where they are from.

• Best advice you have ever received: As a musician, don’t move to the major cities - try to make it in your hometown and once you’re selling out gigs at $20/ticket music industry people will start paying attention — Dennis Dunstan, Turn Up Conference 2015.

• What has been your most memorable moment? Each livestream concert has been super special and I’ve felt privileged to have each artist perform at Peace Run.

• What’s one thing you love about your job? How hilarious and truthful 6 year old music students can be.

• What is something people don’t know about you? My middle name is Viti which means Fiji.

• What one thing would you like to see happen in the local area? The activation of the Special Entertainment Precinct with support from all levels of government: Local, State and Federal. Nambour needs a boost to reinvigorate our town centre. David Law and MP Rob Skelton are on board and Sunshine Coast Council are also interested in assisting so there are exciting times ahead.

• What would your friends/family say is your most annoying habit? I’m always working/gigging/teaching/doing admin/writing grants/planning events etc

• Best local activity & why? For me, I love a good coffee from Husk and Honey, grabbing a burger from Down Town and playing Pinball at the parlour.

• Best thing about your town (apart from the people)? Nambour is real, authentic and down to earth. I love having a shop on Queen St and supporting the local businesses. It’s like a village. We all support each other.

• Is there a local business, community group, club or person you’d like to give a shout-out to? Husk and Honey cafe! Tash and Alisha do such a great job bringing good food and coffee to my daily life and the people who come to my shop for music lessons, mentoring and meetings. I’m just sad they’re closed on weekends!

• What’s your connection to Queen St? My Fijian Grandmother’s name was ‘Radini’ which means Queen. Also my Australian Great grandmother’s nickname was Queenie. So it’s a perfect spot for me to have my HQ.