Highway Mail puts Westville’s Nibs in the spotlight

IN the build up to the launch of his anthology album, A Circle of Swallows, the Highway Mail chatted to the talented, local guitarist, Nibs van der Spuy.

At what age did you start playing musical instruments?

I picked up the guitar at age 14 and started with Beatles and Stones songs; and from early on started writing my own.

How long have you been in the music industry and when did you start recording your own music?

I have been in the industry for 25 years and released my first album in 1995 with my band, Landscape Prayers. We recorded four albums and I have 12 solo albums.

Did you foresee yourself taking up a full-time career as a musician?

I knew I was going to be a full-time musician from age of 14.

What are you still hoping to achieve in your musical career?

I still want to play around the planet and cover most countries who will have me. I believe I have a message in the music that needs to be heard in all four corners of the globe.

If you weren’t a musician, what would be your profession?

Maybe a pilot like my father, or a travel writer.

Describe a typical day-in-the-life-of for our readers:

I am an early riser and start with strong black coffee, pray and read devotional passages. I then take care of online bookings and business, followed by random intervals of picking up my guitar and working constantly on musical ideas. I eat at random times as well. I always find an hour or two in the day, usually in the late afternoon, to go for a cycle, followed by walking the dog. In the evenings I listen to music and keep on playing my guitars.

Do you ever get nervous before a performance?

I always get those butterflies, but it is a good thing which keeps you on your toes.

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What is the weirdest thing you have encountered in your career?

Weird, but good! I shared a backstage area with Ben Harper, Bonnie Raitt, Jack Johnson, Taj Mahal and Eric Burden at a festival in Australia.

What encouraged you to put together an anthology album?

I feel that a new musical season is opening up for me and I needed to document my musical journey thus far, before setting sail again.

Which one of your songs is your favourite to perform live and why?

I love to playing Anna Rosa, as it is always a challenge to play. It has huge stretches and weird finger style patterns across the fret-board. It is always a mini musical travelogue of KwaZulu-Natal up to Mozambique.

Do you feel vulnerable at the launch of an album?

No, at this one (Circle of Swallows) it is material that people know and have requested over the years. It is very different when you present the world with a new set of songs, because they could lean either way.

What is on your 2020 horizon?

I am touring France, the UK as well as another SA tour and will record a new studio album.

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