HORSHAM father-son duo Ryan and Aussie Nicolson have had a bit of 'lockdown fun' over the weekend, with the boys recording a cover of Neil Young's classic Rockin' In The Free World.
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Father Ryan 'Red' Nicolson said the idea came to the pair on a lazy Sunday afternoon in the shed.
"On Sunday we were just in the shed, not doing a lot and we just decided to do a full song," Red said.
Musical talent runs in the Nicolson family. Red said he first picked up a guitar at his son's age, eventually moving to Melbourne after school and playing in bands.
"I was in some garage bands just mucking around, just as a hobby more than anything," Red said.
"We used to play a few gigs here and there nothing too serious."
Red and his family moved back to Horsham when Aussie was born. Growing up, Aussie would play his father's acoustic guitar for fun.
"We decided to buy him a drum kit for his 8th birthday," Red said.
"Everyone thought we were absolutely crazy, giving him a drum kit, but he took to it really well.
"I taught him a few bits and pieces, but I think after two weeks he was a lot better than I was, so we put him into lessons. He picked up a lot, he does pick up a lot by ear and off Youtube videos."
As Aussie's interest in drumming grew, he took over an old bar in their back shed and converted it into a recording studio.
"I don't mind because it keeps him off the computer playing games and off the streets getting into trouble. It is really good for him," Red said.
Red said when Aussie first started to take an interest in music, their next-door neighbour lent them equipment.
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"Our next-door neighbour used to work in recording studios in Melbourne, so he has a lot of equipment that he was nice enough to lend Aussie in the early days," Red said.
"That really got him interested and set him going from there."
Aussie now maintains a fully-fledged studio in the shed, where the pair records music for the internet.
"When started recording drums I didn't have a lot of stuff. I was running around the house trying to find different microphones to use. I ended up finding two SingStar microphones for the Playstation 2 and I started recording drums on those," Aussie said.
"I've now got an audio interface, an actual drum mic kit, which are microphones made specifically for drums. It's a lot better to record and I can get a better sound out of my drums now."
Aussie has a Youtube account which he uses to post music, mostly drum covers. In 2018 Aussie had his first taste of live performance with Horsham band Johnny Thunder and the Lightnings.
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Red said he was proud to see his son up on stage.
"The guys from Johnny Thunder and the Lightnings have been good supporters of Aussie," Red said.
"They always get him up on stage to play when we go to their gigs. There is a few other bands who have really supported him along the way, they think that it is great that the younger generation is into the old classics."
The pair also played a bushfire relief show at the Dooen Hotel for last year's Australia Day.
Aussie said he enjoys playing to an audience, and he was not as nervous on stage as he thought he would be.
"Having all those people there it's really fun when it's really loud and you can do whatever you want. Since the drum stage is at the back I can just sort of do my own thing," Aussie said.
"Whenever I play on stage it's just got a different feeling. It is hard to define.
"Since I knew the song that I was playing it really wasn't that bad. I wasn't that nervous."
In the future Aussie hopes to take his music further.
"Music is kind of the only thing I like to do. I enjoy learning stuff with music, it is enjoyable," Aussie said.
His father said he recommends all kids learn a music instrument and believes it is a good hobby for kids to pick up.
"I'd say to all parents that they should go out and buy their kids a musical instrument. It's just one of those things, it is something different to do," Red said.
"I know when I was a kid we had a lot of people around the town and a lot of friends who played musical instruments here or there.
"I have noticed with Aussie, being the same age I was, it is not as common as it was in those days. So it is harder to find people to jam with."
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