The Baker's Dozen #38 Nigel Wearne

Welcome to the first Baker’s Dozen of 2023. We’ve revamped things a little and Australian singer/songwriter/guitarist and luthier Nigel Wearne kindly stepped up to the plate for the first at bat. Nigel recently showcased at the Americana UK Music Festival in London and completed an extensive UK tour alongside sometime duet partner Lauren Housley. Nigel talked guitars, songwriting, Aussie legends Cold Chisel, Tom waits and also gave us an insight into the making of his upcoming album ‘The Reckoning’.

1. What is your earliest musical memory?

 Standing in the kitchen at the farm where I grew up with my two older brothers, me holding a tiny little kids ukulele. I would have been about 2.

2. Do you remember the name of your first band?

 The Fuzz; a scuzzy Uni covers band. 

3. Which current artist do you find the most impressive and why?

 As far as contemporary songwriting goes, I'm a big fan of Anna Tivel. She's the classic storyteller but with a unique spin on it. Her album The Question kinda blew my mind. I'm also a big fan of Laura Marling. 

4. Do you sit down to actually try to write songs or wait until inspiration strikes?

 A bit of both really. Sometimes I'll sit down to try and write a song, other times it'll come at the most inconvenient moment. I often write a note at the top of my song manuscripts about what I should have been doing… for example ‘should be cleaning’ or ‘should have been doing my tax’. I’m not sure how it started, but it’s something that’s stuck. 

I tend to go through phases where I'll write a whole bunch and then other times where I work on other creative endeavours. Many songs hit the editing pile and some stick from the get-go. I feel like living is training for songwriting, and I find it also helps to try and write regularly as this makes sure I’m in form when true inspiration comes.

When the pandemic hit, I had a bag of songs written and ready to record, but with the extended lockdowns in Australia, I couldn’t get into the studio. So I ended up writing a bunch of new songs and it turns out they’ve got a bit of a different flavour; more blues/jazz oriented. I’m calling it Americana-noir. I guess having more time at home playing a lot of electric guitar led to a bunch of rollicking, critiquing, truth speaking minor-key ditties. The original batch of songs got bumped, and the new ones are going to be on my new record; an awakening if you will, aptly titled The Reckoning. Stay tuned folks…

5. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self?

 To start writing songs earlier and to listen to Tom Waits. I would have loved that stuff as a kid.

6. You're stuck in a lift with your musical hero (living or dead) and they ask you to play them something - who is it, what do you play and why?

Speaking of Tom Waits… I'd play him one of my songs called Beautiful Blue. It’s got that after-dark feeling, so hopefully he might dig it.

7. On the road, do you have any pre-show rituals/superstitions?

Not really. If I have time to get something delicious to eat, I’m happy as a clam. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen on tour… Time is of the essence and there’s a sound check to do! 

8. Should music be free?

If you're talking in a financial sense, no. Audiences and industry are demanding the highest quality content and constant output. To record, promote and pay other creatives and arts workers properly, it costs a lot of money. Artists need to be able to cover their costs and make a living from their craft. I also think for audiences to truly appreciate art there needs to be some sort of exchange and part of this is financial. The other exchange that happens is the connection between the artist and the audience. Sharing of stories, spreading truths; building a community. None of this happens if the artist can’t support themselves and has to find a different job. Money keeps the creative engine running. 

9. Can you remember the first record you bought and what have you bought recently?

The first record I bought was Last Stand, by Cold Chisel. I bought Rattle and Hum by U2, shortly afterwards. Many of your readers have probably never heard of Cold Chisel, but they are an iconic Australian band from the late ’70s & ’80s. Check out the song Khe Sahn; it’s a beautifully written ode to a Vietnam War vet. You’ll find it on any Juke Box in Oz and though it doesn’t have a chorus, you can still sing along. Don Walker wrote it and he’s one of my all-time favourite songwriters. I think my most recent purchase was Australian artist, Lucie Thorne’s beautiful record titled Kitty & Frank. It’s absolutely stunning; y’all should check it out. 

10. What was the last song that made you cry actual tears? 

Circle Wars, Kelly Joe Phelps. In fact, many of his songs are tear jerkers for me. Such a rare talent; so sorry to see him go last year (Vale KJP). If you’re not familiar with his music, do yourself a favour and take a listen. You won’t regret it. All of his albums are amazing; a real gift. Finger-picked, poetic songwriting that’s chock full of vibe. 

11. In the digital age, we have more music and video at our fingertips than ever before. Do you have any guilty pleasures or recommendations in film or TV?

The Eddy on Netflix. Watch it. It’s amazing; some of the best live music sequences I’ve seen on the screen. And here’s a hot tip for your readers. Check out Kath and Kim; an Aussie comedy. It’s totally brilliant and though it seems exaggerated it’s really not… it’s quite hilarious. 

12. Your house is on fire. You already have your loved ones slung over one shoulder and your guitar in one hand. With your other hand, you can rescue three CDs or LPs…What are they?

Hang on? I have many guitars! I must have already run a few of them outside… I build my own guitars and banjos, so they’re all pretty special to me. I’ve been building instruments for about 20 years now and I’ve got quite a collection, so I’d need a few extra arms to carry them out… As for the LPs, I’ve got a signed Live in Melbourne, Stephane Grappelli album that I found in an Op Shop (charity store as you call them… it’s short for Opportunity Shop) and a couple of signed Peter Rowan albums from the 70s. I’ve also got an early pressing of Dave Brubeck’s Time Out. The rest can be replaced.

13. What is the most important thing to you that you can see from where you are right now?

My 1968 Gretsch Streamliner. It’s a beautiful ole thing. I bought it in 2018 and it needed quite a bit of love. Since then, I’ve done a neck reset, fingerboard level, new frets, installed a Bigsby vibrato (after all, it is a Gretsch!), added a 6 way tone switch and made a solid brass saddle and nut. It really does play like a dream and many, many songs have been written on this grand guitar over the last 5 or so years. In fact, during the lockdowns, I played this guitar almost exclusively for 18 months. It really helped shape the sound of my upcoming album ‘The Reckoning’. It sounds amazing through my old Aussie made 1961 Moody BA40 amp.