Nic Swales

"Nic Swales is one of those songwriters and guitarists you need to keep your eye on in the next little while. With the release of his new recoding, Bohemian Summer, Nic is poised to take his well deserved rightful place on the rich tapestry that is the Canadian Independent music scene."
Glenn Meisner
Music Producer CBC Maritimes - Direct Quote from Glenn Meisner

Awarded to Nic Swales

Nic Swales has been selected as a Suggested Artist in the March 2007 round of the Song of the Year song and lyric competition. Song of the Year receives entries from all over the world and only those artists whose collective works display consistently noteworthy creativity and talent receive such recognition.

Nic Swales has also been selected as a "Runner Up" in the July 2007 round of the Song of the Year song and lyric competition. Song of the Year receives entries from all over the world and only the most noteworthy artists receive such recognition.

For more information about Nic Swales please visit www.myspace.com/nicswales
- Song Of The Year

"Very strong vocals and creative guitar make Bohemian Summer a fantastic record"
Rob Jenkins
Music Director 106.3fm Sarnia ON. - Direct Quote from Rob Jenkins

Dennis Field is surrounded in a mess of recorders, digital processors, speakers, monitors and a mixing board. There is only enough space in this tiny control room in the basement of his west-end Halifax home for a swivel chair.

Through the window mounted above the mixing board is a roughly 194 sq metre studio equipped with more than 80 instruments that either lean against the walls or wait in storage.

The studio is home to Denmark Productions, which has been rated one of the best recording studios on the east coast of Canada, despite its size. It has been nominated for eight "best studio" awards, including one for this year's East Coast Music Award.

Field built the studio in 1988 with his then-partner Mark Bryden. Since the early '90s, he has operated it on his own, recording almost 300 bands in the region, including the Jimmy Swift Band, the Chronicles and the Porcelain Gods.

More than a producer

Nic Swales sold his house and moved to Halifax to record an album at Denmark Productions. Photo: Courtesy of Nic Swales
Field says he offers artists a chance to produce a professional record with professional equipment in an intimate atmosphere. The audio engineer, who has helped judge the Juno Awards since 2000, says he has his finger on the pulse of the national music scene, which helps him produce cutting-edge material.

He's a 10-time music awards nominee in the best technician/engineer category, and winner of a 2004 Music Industry Association of Nova Scotia award. He says a professional recording is "crucial" for an artist's career.

"Sending in a home recording to a manager or publisher would do more harm to your career than good," says Field. "That's the first thing they're going to see with your name on it, and if you think you're going to get the job, you're not."

Field says he often helps artists prepare their records for distribution after production. He presses CDs, designs leaflets and converts audio files to MP3s, allowing musicians to post their work online. And he often links artists with managers, publishers and record executives.

"That way, they're linked up, geared up and ready to get on their feet so they can start getting their name out there," he says.

Pop-rock artist Nic Swales started recording his album Sunny River at a studio in Sarnia, Ont., but became frustrated with the direction the project was taking. He shopped around for other studios closer to home before finding Denmark Productions.

Swales later sold his house and moved to Halifax to finish his record.

"It was a really big risk coming here, but it was one I was more than willing to take," he says. "Dennis just has more experience; his facility is better and has more gear...

"Right now, I'm focused on producing a professional record. I'm confident in the collection I've put together, and all of the other things that will help me get my name out there are hinged on a good recording."
- By Reid Southwick <Reid.Southwick@gmail.com>

Dennis Field is surrounded in a mess of recorders, digital processors, speakers, monitors and a mixing board. There is only enough space in this tiny control room in the basement of his west-end Halifax home for a swivel chair.

Through the window mounted above the mixing board is a roughly 194 sq metre studio equipped with more than 80 instruments that either lean against the walls or wait in storage.

The studio is home to Denmark Productions, which has been rated one of the best recording studios on the east coast of Canada, despite its size. It has been nominated for eight "best studio" awards, including one for this year's East Coast Music Award.

Field built the studio in 1988 with his then-partner Mark Bryden. Since the early '90s, he has operated it on his own, recording almost 300 bands in the region, including the Jimmy Swift Band, the Chronicles and the Porcelain Gods.

More than a producer

Nic Swales sold his house and moved to Halifax to record an album at Denmark Productions. Photo: Courtesy of Nic Swales
Field says he offers artists a chance to produce a professional record with professional equipment in an intimate atmosphere. The audio engineer, who has helped judge the Juno Awards since 2000, says he has his finger on the pulse of the national music scene, which helps him produce cutting-edge material.

He's a 10-time music awards nominee in the best technician/engineer category, and winner of a 2004 Music Industry Association of Nova Scotia award. He says a professional recording is "crucial" for an artist's career.

"Sending in a home recording to a manager or publisher would do more harm to your career than good," says Field. "That's the first thing they're going to see with your name on it, and if you think you're going to get the job, you're not."

Field says he often helps artists prepare their records for distribution after production. He presses CDs, designs leaflets and converts audio files to MP3s, allowing musicians to post their work online. And he often links artists with managers, publishers and record executives.

"That way, they're linked up, geared up and ready to get on their feet so they can start getting their name out there," he says.

Pop-rock artist Nic Swales started recording his album Sunny River at a studio in Sarnia, Ont., but became frustrated with the direction the project was taking. He shopped around for other studios closer to home before finding Denmark Productions.

Swales later sold his house and moved to Halifax to finish his record.

"It was a really big risk coming here, but it was one I was more than willing to take," he says. "Dennis just has more experience; his facility is better and has more gear...

"Right now, I'm focused on producing a professional record. I'm confident in the collection I've put together, and all of the other things that will help me get my name out there are hinged on a good recording."
- By Reid Southwick <Reid.Southwick@gmail.com>

Cathy Dobson

A new album in the works and enough gigs to keep him out of trouble is making Point Edward’s Nic Swales a happy musician these days.

“Sarnia has a vibrant music scene,” says the 37-year-old, who’s been pursuing a solo career and playing with local bands for decades.

“There’s no fortune or fame here but it’s really nice to be part of what is going on. This is home and I’ve got history here.”

Swales, an electrician with Local 530 by day, likes nothing better than writing songs and performing by night. He describes his style as a hybrid of folk, pop and rock.

Growing up in Point Edward, he graduated from Bridgeview and SCITS and left briefly in 2007 to check out the musical possibilities in Halifax.

“I wanted to get myself out of my comfort zone,” said Swales.

It worked. In 13 short months, he released an EP called Sunny River, then a full CD named Bohemian Summer.

“That was 16 songs in one year with an independent studio called Denmark Productions,” he said.

But the lure of steady work brought him home where he was already an established musician.

He’s married now with no plans to leave any time soon and said he’s content to play solo or as part of the cover band “The Ropers” whenever he can.

Swales also says he shares a sense of responsibility when it comes to keeping Sarnia’s growing music culture alive.

“I think the reason it’s so strong is because younger generations see the commitment older musicians have made to stay here and immerse themselves in music.

“As time progresses, there’s more and more people willing to stay and the quality gets better and better,” he said.

Swales is ready to return to the studio with Adam Miner, owner of downtown’s DNA Studios, and record some newly-written songs for his next project. He’s got an eye on a CD release in the fall.

He’s also having a bit of fun working with his old high school band on the upcoming SCITS Alumni Revue slated for April 23.

Swales credits SCITS’ drama teacher Dan White for teaching him how to perform to a crowd way back when.

“The SCITS auditorium is where I really cut my teeth, doing the Revue every year in high school,” he said.

“Dan White taught me to sing to the back of the room.”

He’s rounding up his former bandmates known in the ‘90s as, “Hey, That’s My Bike,” and resurrecting some of their grunge tunes.

Meanwhile, his next gig is on First Friday when Swales performs solo on acoustic guitar and harmonica at The Cheeky Monkey record store.

“His style of songwriting and singing is warm and inviting,” says Mary Anne Peloza, owner of The Cheeky Monkey. “It leaves you wanting more.” - The Sarnia Journal