8 minute read
Coffee with a Coastie Former Hi5 member Nathan Foley
coffee WITH A Coastie
FORMER HI5 MEMBER NATHAN FOLEY
Spending a few years on the Central Coast as a kid was enough to anchor him to the Coast. And whilst the initial years of his career took him back to Sydney, it was only a matter of time before the Coast was calling him back again.
Your gorgeous son Jackson is almost 2, you’ve posted pictures and videos on social media of him playing your piano and listening to music with headphones. Does he love daddy’s music? What’s his favourite song of yours?
Absolutely, Jackson has loved music for so long now, but I really do think it’s what we expose to our kids. I’ve had him sitting on my knee while I play piano and always getting involved while I play guitar. The early years of development for a child is so crucial, and music is my everything and hopefully Jackson will pursue it one day too. Jackson loves my song “She Devil”, he watches the music video over and over again.
Do you think Jackson will get into music?
Hmm, not sure. Deep down, I hope he will, but I’m never going to be pushy though, whatever he decides, I’ll support him 100%.
How do you juggle family life and writing/touring?
Definitely no touring yet, because of Covid, but I always wondered how it would work before the little guy came along, but it just does. My family have added to my life in such a positive way, so instead of having one love (music), I now have two. Juggling both has been a blessing.
Twins run in the family on your wife’s side. Would you like to add to ‘Team Foley’?
We’d love to one day, but the way the world is right now with so much uncertainty, we are just taking our time and enjoying Jackson at the moment.
Out of all the places you visited touring over the past 20 years, what made you choose the Central Coast to settle down? How long have you been on the Coast?
I LOVE the Coast. I was actually born in Liverpool (NSW) and grew up in Ingleburn. My folks and I moved up to the Central Coast when I was 10 years old and lived at Toukley for a few years until Sydney started beckoning me for work. I ended up going to Newtown High School of the Performing Arts to continue my “normal” studies around other people that also were in the arts. Newtown was great as there was so much individuality. Australia is such a massive sports driven place that I wasn’t really understood or accepted at my previous school. I was taunted daily for wanting to be a singer and for trying to fulfil my passion as an entertainer. As I grew older, the coast once again was calling me, so I moved back up in 2004 and bought a house. I haven’t left since. The Coast has everything and it’s a great place to raise kids too.
You started in this industry at a very young age, singing in clubs and doing the School Spectacular, how old were you when you wrote your first song?
I was 10 when I started doing professional shows, clubs/corporates, they were a great starting point to learn my craft as an artist, especially working with bands. The first song I wrote was “What’s happening to this world of ours” which is an environment song that I recorded and it was chosen in a song writing competition. My school at the time, Toukley Primary School and I, were invited to compete at Darling Harbour and perform the song.
The second song I wrote was a song called “The good times” in which I wrote about my school friends and teachers.
Both songs are on an album I recorded back then. You never know, I “may” release it one day.
How did you get into music? What drew you to music?
The Jackson 5 were the start of my passion for music. The first time I heard them, I tried to mimic every
word Michael Jackson sang and weirdly enough, we sounded so much alike at that age. I never had any vocal training (still to this day) but what I did have was a passion and drive.
My folks were driving me all over the place entering me in singing competitions from Sydney to the Coast. I won many, one of which was a Talent Show at Bateau Bay Shopping Centre. I sang Michael Jackson’s “Ben” and won. Another was at Roselands Shopping Centre in 1991, where two producers were there from the Coca Cola Schools Spectacular. They invited me to audition as a soloist for the Show. Anyone who doesn’t know about the show, it’s the biggest variety show in the world for public school kids and was held at the Sydney Entertainment Centre in front of 12,000 people. Mum and I had never heard of it at that time, but we drove down and I auditioned. The next thing I know, I’m singing a duet with an 80 piece orchestra in front of thousands of people. School spectacular was definitely the start of my professional career on a larger scale.
Then one thing led to another, word of mouth and shows started coming my way. Shortly after that, at 12 years old, I was chosen to sing solo at the Premier Gala Concert at the Sydney Entertainment Centre where Human Nature, Connie Mitchel (from Sneaky Sound System) and more, were doing the backing vocals for me. It was a crazy time but it just made me strive and want more.
Who was your greatest musical influence growing up? Have you met them?
I have so many! I think my biggest would have to be Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson & John Farnham. The thing with me is that I listen to so many diverse artists, they have all influenced not only my song writing but also how I perform. I’ve met John Farnham but unfortunately never had a chance to meet MJ or Stevie. Fingers crossed.
What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone starting out in the entertainment industry?
The best advice I can give is to not be driven by fame or fortune. Always be driven by passion and the love for what you do. With the way social media is today, anyone can be famous for doing absolutely nothing. It’s so important to not be drawn in by just the icing on the cake. Work hard at your craft and be the best that you can be, and don’t
worry about “likes” or “followers” or what everyone else is doing.
It’s been a challenging year for everyone, it’s not something that anyone could have predicted. You’ve had over 18 months of cancelled gigs, what have you been focused on during this time?
It has been hell for all of us. Who would of thought that the whole world would have been effected for as long as it has? It’s been challenging personally, especially with my upcoming album being delayed over and over again and numerous shows being cancelled, though I really do thank God for my family. They have kept me sane through all of it to be honest. I’ve been writing more, and doing loads of home improvements. Maybe I should audition for The Block or House Rules (haha).
What is a typical day for you during lock down?
I definitely try to keep my mind active by writing, going for walks in my local and home renovations. I also love to cook so I try to come up with different recipes to feed the family when I can.
You’ve released two songs since Covid, ‘Hurricane’ and ‘She Devil’. When you released Hurricane at the end of last year, did you think back then, that almost 12 months down the track, we’d all still be in the same situation, and you’d still not be performing live shows?
You know, I honestly thought that 2021 was going to be the year of normality again but that was wrong. I should of had my album finished and touring by now but I’m hoping 2022 will be my year. Wishful thinking. I can’t wait to release my album, it’s going be a killer and I can’t wait to share it. Hopefully by November/December.
I read on Facebook She Devil has just reached over 53,000 streams on Spotify, congratulations! And you’ve been working on another album, will we have this for Christmas? What can we expect from the next album?
It’s actually hit over 60,000 now! I’m stoked. Spotify is all new to me. I come from a generation of vinyls, cassettes and CDs, when you had to physically go to a shop to buy a hard copy but I’m told my Spotify is doing ok. Even if it was just one person listening I’d be happy.
Once we are out of lock down, what’s the plan for Nathan Foley?
I’m praying that theatres, clubs and festivals will re–open so we can once again share our passion with the world. The entertainment industry has been hit hard so let’s all hope for a speedy recovery. Once it’s all over I’ll be touring NZ and Australia.
Fast forward 15 years, where will Nathan Foley be?
You know, I used to think about the future and where I wanted to be but I was always presented with different hurdles and detours that led me to other amazing opportunities. Honestly now, I just live for today and enjoy the day to day. The future is something we can never plan I believe, so lets just breathe, enjoy the simple things in life and you never know where life will take you.
Maybe in 15 years time we will be doing a Hi–5 reunion tour with our walking sticks =)
