Behind the music - Nick J. Harvey

RTÉ News​

12-06-2025

Melbourne blues singer and composer Nick J. Harvey has released his new single, Be Careful with the Bacon, Steven. We asked him the questions . . .
"This song is a slice-of-life exploration," he says. "A journey through the ups and downs of the early day. It reflects the push and pull of habit, the contrast of dark and light, the struggle always wrapped in the ever moving and the ever present urban ambient noise of life."
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
Music was always in the air - I just had to find my way into it. My father and grandfather were both guitarists, so I grew up surrounded by the sound of six strings. My grandfather was inspired by Django Reinhardt and the jazz of the '30s and '40s. My dad leaned into early Elvis, raw rock 'n' roll, reverb-drenched surf licks, and those memorable guitar instrumentals from bands like The Shadows.
I was walked away from a six-figure career to chase a sound only I could hear. For a while, I lived a double life - corporate by day, musician by night. I had the title, the salary, the supposed security. But there was this low, constant hum of dissatisfaction - a quiet truth that wouldn't go away. Something out there…. beyond the maze of grey partitions. Music never stopped calling, even when I tried to silence it.
I believe music still has the power to cut through the digital noise. I'm still a passionate believer in music's ability to connect us, to shift our mood, to lift us up. I remember as a teenager sitting in a friend's parents' lounge room, gathered around a massive stereo with a few mates, listening to records. It was a communal, almost revelatory experience, everyone locked in, transported, no phones, no distractions. Just the music.
How would you describe your music?
Maybe it's some sort of cinematic blend of blues-rock. I'm chasing the raw, emotional textures of blues and early rock 'n' roll, but with the punch and impact of classic '70s rock production layered guitars, big dynamics, and a sense of space that lets the emotion breathe. You'll hear echoes of the '60s and '70s - Floyd, Zeppelin, The Doors, Howlin' Wolf but filtered through a modern lens. It's guitar-driven, but it's not just about riffs or speed. It's about feel, space, and storytelling through sound.
Who are your musical inspirations?
It all started with the blues. Howlin' Wolf, Josh White, Robert Johnson - those voices carried weight. They didn't just sing; they confessed. Those old records taught me early on that music isn't about speed or flash; it's about feel, truth, and soul. I followed those roots into the English blues movement of the '60s - John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, and the folk revival that sat alongside it. Around the same time, I fell in love with early rock 'n' roll - the raw energy of those first Elvis and Little Richard records, the punch, the swagger, the aggression. There was no overthinking - just guts and groove.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
I'm not sure if it was the first, but one of the most impactful early gigs I saw was Phil Para, playing Hendrix covers in this seedy corner pub with carpet that had long since seen its use-by date. The place smelled like beer and history - and the music hit like a freight train.
What was the first record you ever bought?
It was Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd on vinyl. I didn't even have a proper record player at the time - I just knew I needed to have it. The artwork, the mystery, the mood - it felt like something sacred. I didn't fully understand it on first listen, but I knew it meant something. That album became a kind of teacher. It showed me how music could be spacious and emotional at the same time. It wasn't trying to impress you. It was trying to reach you.
What's your favourite song right now?
Probably Ramble On by Led Zeppelin. I keep coming back to it. I adore the bass playing. There's something timeless in the way it blends folk, mysticism, and groove - all in one track. It's got this restless energy, like it's always moving forward but never really landing anywhere for long.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"I asked for water, and she gave me gasoline" - Howlin' Wolf. That line hits like a hammer. Blues poetry at its rawest. Wolf's voice is a gravel of truth.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Have a Cigar by Pink Floyd. It's got this perfect mix of swagger, sarcasm, groove, and a seriously cool guitar solo. Oh man, Gilmour really digs deep into that Strat. He's squeezing pure sonic juice out of it.
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Alan Corr