Forte

If you still would like to order a copy of CONDUIT you can do that here. Cheers! 

I'm a conscious musician with a message. I would love you to help me musically communicate ideas of Authenticity, Mindfulness and Compassion to the world? Can you jump on board? I've recorded an album called "Conduit" and I'm calling on your support to release it.

Have a listen to the podcast my interview on Radio Adelaide's Songcatcher show and WOW FM's This Is Our Sound.

I'm very excited about the future. I find myself now heading in a direction that I never thought I could have gone. It has been quite a journey to this point! I've grown and learned so much! This is my dream coming true!

I tried this ten years ago when my name was Nik. I released an EP of original music but my ego held me back from pursuing a career in music. I have done a lot of work on myself since then and found a strong sense of purpose to make a positive difference in the world using my musical ability.

I began travelling Australia in 2012 so many things in my life changed that I decided that my new chapter needed a new title - Forté. I have relaunched myself as a musician and am ready to bring my heart and my music to the world once more.

I'm aligned with White Ribbon Australia in working to end mens violence against women. I wrote and recorded a song for White Ribbon called "Active Peace". Here are the lyrics

It is alright to have feelings
Show Vulnerability
Saying no to all violence
Living peacefully
And for this we are respected
Take responsibility
We are here to be supportive
Love your community


One thing I found was an appreciation for singing in a group. I asked members of my community to join me on the album and the following people sang on "The Universe Provides" and "Active Peace".

Aaron Simonson, Alastair Robertson, Claire Chittleborough, David Bagshaw, Eliza Richter, Helen Massey, Joshua Phillips, Katie Evans, Liz McCarthy, Max Brown, Meredith Hall, Michele Ignalio, Paula Kelly, Rebekkah Sparrow Lord, Rose Pullen, Sam Morris, Serrin Rutledge-Prior, Teri, Theo Vandersman, Tyrone of Light & Zac Lee (Conducted by Rachel Bruerville)

I have gathered a wonderful group of people together to create a beautifully recorded album of my original music. The results are striking! Heather Frahn has the ability to coax the absolute best out of the people she works with, myself included. I am very grateful to her for agreeing to produce this album. Anthony Stewart has tracked and mixed this recording with precision and care, rising over and above his role as engineer.


An expression of my thoughts and feelings just before I recorded the vocals for the final song, "Untouched"


As I write this, we have finished the first mix of the album and chosen 12 of the 17 songs to be included on the CD. The album is to be mastered mid August and pressed onto CD early September.

Track Listing:
1. Father (overture) 
2. Clearer Sight 
3. Untouched 
4. Officially Single
5. The Best That I Can Be
6. Active Peace
7. Father
8. Every Setting Sun
9. Gratitude
10. Right Now Right Here
11. Schedule It In
12. The Cycle
13. The Universe Provides
14. Father (finale)



To give you an idea of the instrumentation:
Lead Vocals, Mandolin, Waldzither, Classical Guitar and Acoustic Guitar by Forté
Backing Vocals by Heather Frahn, Rachel Bruerville & Ria Loof
Bass Guitar by Paul Allan a.k.a. Flex
Bodhrán by Gillian Murray
Cello by Rachel Bruerville
Clap Sticks by Heather Frahn & Forté
Cymbal Rolls & Shakers by Heather Frahn
Didgeridoo & Clarinet by Burke Stacy
Double Bass by Theo Vandersman
Drums by Paul White
Electric Guitar on “Untouched” by Forté
Flute by Kane Stewart
Lap Slide Guitar by Heather Frahn
Lead Guitar on “Schedule It In” by Anthony Stewart
Lead Guitar on “Gratitude” by Chris Finnen
Percussion by Caellyen Bruerville & Heather Frahn
Piano on “Every Setting Sun” by Claire Chittleborough
Piano on “The Best That I Can Be” by Heather Frahn
Recorder by Mark Thiele
Trumpet by Josh Chenoweth


A slideshow of photos taken during the first two weeks of recording my debut studio album, "Conduit". So happy to be collaborating with these wonderful people! Set to an instrumental version of my song "Gratitude" featuring Chris Finnen.


I'll give you a rundown of the amount of investment so far (all well worth it)

Recording: $11,000 We have spent around 30 full days in the studio tracking and mixing.
Musicians: $3,000 I have ensured that I have fairly paid all of the musicians (even if they didn't want to be)
Production: $3,000 Heather has been very generous with her time and her payment is but a token of her value
Photography $750 Lee Knowles Photographer is an absolute top class professional and a lovely guy

I've just about invested all of my life savings into this project and so now I'm offering you the opportunity to get involved.

Thank you for reading.

The remaining costs to see this project through to fruition are:

Original Artwork $500 Nick Dalwitz is working on a custom concept for Conduit
Cover Design $500 My wonderful and talented brother is working very hard on the booklet (I'm getting family rates)
Mastering $1000 Neville Clarke at Disk Edits right here in Adelaide will ensure that the album sounds it's best.
CD Replication $2200 I'll be getting 1000 CDs made with environmentally friendly cardboard covers

I applied for a grant for the Album Launch strategy to capitalise on the media interest that having a new release can generate. I was unsuccessful in getting the grant due to funding cuts and so will have to self fund the launch publicity.

What this means is that getting assistance in the final stages of producing the album will help me get my positive message out into the world.

Thank you so much for being part of this! I'm very grateful for your support.