Forging a career in music

Nick Hohepa grew up in Napier. His mother taught him to sing and to play a range of instruments including piano, saxophone, clarinet and guitar. His father collected musical instruments and supported him in his musical career, which is set to take off: his single and video Baby Hold On were released in New Zealand in the first week of July. Check out his MySpace page: www.myspace.com/nickhohepa

actv8: Is there a role-model who inspired your chosen career path?
Nick: "One influence was Willie Nelson. I saw an interview on TV and it said, ‘Willie Nelson, singer-songwriter'. It didn't say ‘singer and part-time scientist or car salesman'. I thought, ‘That's it! Music is the thing I absolutely love doing.' So I quit my day job and went full-time. It wasn't easy, but I took the risk, burned my bridges and gave myself no choice but to make it happen."
Do you have any tips for actv8 readers whose parents consider music to be a very risky profession?
"My parents used to let me bash my drums or jam hard in the bedroom while they watched TV. Some of the greatest times I've had with my family are when we get the guitar out and sing together and enjoy each other's company. Instruments are not cheap and some parents would be hesitant about buying their child an electric guitar and amplifier worth $12,000 or a five-piece drum kit for $10,000. But if their child expresses interest in playing guitar, getting a decent quality beginner's instrument for about $120 is an investment in their future."

You have a Certificate of Science, majoring in biology and microbiology. Do you have any advice for students tempted to leave school early to pursue a music career?
"Sometimes I wish I'd actually pursued music as a career right from leaving school, but don't regret my choice. I enjoyed learning about science and I don't regret gaining any of the knowledge. In fact, I think it's made me a better musician. Science has given me a nice balance, helped me gain a better appreciation for my art and I never get food poisoning! But I had to figure out for myself whether music would be my chosen career and it did take me a while. I feel as though I've succeeded already by identifying and following through with my passion for music. I also made sure that my choice was wise by testing my talent in public. I recommend seeking professional advice from career advisors and music industry professionals."
What are your feelings about copyright?
"This is an issue of trying to find a balance and compromise so music fans don't get classed as criminals and artists don't get ripped off. The digital age is still in its infancy and so are the controls to police copyright infringement. I'm sure the technology will eventually catch up in order to protect artists losing out."
To what extent does technology help you when you're making music, and what's the most valuable tool in your songwriting arsenal?
"Technology is important but that doesn't mean you need a $100,000 studio in your bedroom. All you need is something portable and easy to record with at any time. My most valuable tool for writing songs is my acoustic guitar. It's portable, which allows you to take your songwriting tool to places of inspiration, like beaches or parks."
What's the best piece of advice you've ever had?
"Play as much as you can - especially live. Practise, practise and practise because as you've probably already heard a million times, ‘practise makes perfect'."
When can we expect to hear your album?
"I'm working on mixing and mastering the album, which is like putting the icing on the cake. It's scheduled for completion by February 2009, along with three or four videos."