Hi this is Nadia. I'm 24 years old born and raised here in the Northern suburbs of Melbourne. I've always had an interest in music though my true passion lies with cars, eventually I hope to build a business from my love of cars.

Being unemployed for the last 3 years had left me with practically no self-esteem. So when I was asked to choose a work for the dole project, I chose the creative music program in the hope to gain a little self-esteem. When I started the program, I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to do the things that James asked us to do, such as writing songs (even though I have been writing poetry for many years), I didn't feel that I was good enough to attempt doing such a popular thing as writing songs and singing them. Through the project I have learnt a lot, not just about song writing, but also about believing in myself. It was never part of the course structure, but by listening to what the others had to say, I have realised that so long as you believe you can do something, constantly try until you succeed, happiness will follow.

My song Tears of Pain was originally just a quick exercise in class to help us learn how to write songs from personal experience. It turned out to sound good and James asked if I would put it on the album. I didn't have a problem with that until I couldn't work out a chorus or any other verses so if it was going to stay like that it wasn't worth it and that's where James and Con come into the picture. James asked everyone in the class to try and think of a chorus and Con come to the rescue with the chorus. While we were recording the song, I felt that it needed to be longer as it didn't say everything I wanted it to. I no longer had the momentum to keep it going and that's where James stepped in, even though my words were good they didn't flow, so James helped me to arrange my words so that they flowed with the rest of the song. The idea behind it was pulled from experiences that I have lived through though some of which is slightly exaggerated. The song is an inspirational song about how dark life can get for everybody no matter who they are and how you do come through it to see the light in the end. Whether it takes days, months or even years it does get better. Only now can I truly believe what I have been saying to others for years: hold on tight, never give up and believe that it will get better, no matter how hard it may seem. This song took me three months to write, and it was a challenging and insightful experience.

I have written another song: DESERVE BETTER. Unfortunately this song has not been finished in time. Though a new project will be starting soon, so I will be returning to finish what I started, so keep your eyes open later this year for the next album.

Thank-you all for listening to the album I hope you enjoyed it as much as we enjoyed making it for you. If you would like to contact me you can do so by e-mailing me: .

  – Nadia