Songwriter, Nancie Shipper has been living and breathing music since her days at Primary School. From the early prompting of her father to get guitar lessons, her love of music saw her penning songs of her own from as early as 10 years of age. Fast forward 10 years, and Nancie is receiving accolades, having her music played on major stations, and touring nationally.
Nancie’s first foray into music began with local guitar lessons, however these were quickly cast aside when the opportunity arose to take singing lessons at school. Nancie recalls, “I was so excited! I rocked up two hours before my lesson started.”
In these early days, Nancie took inspiration from singer/songwriters, Taylor Swift and Kasey Chambers and began writing songs of her own. “They were terrible!” she exclaims, but her passion for music and song writing pushed her to persevere. This passion was also what influenced her to come to Emmanuel College, so that she could be involved with the Kool Skools program (now Southern Sounds). “Kool Skools was amazing! I did it every year from Year 7. I learnt so much. When I started, I didn’t even know what a metronome was!” Nancie says.
Kool Skools was amazing! I did it every year from Year 7. I learnt so much.
Throughout her time at Emmanuel, Nancie was an active music performer at school events, but this keenness to hone her performance and stagecraft saw her playing and singing at venues far beyond the school gates. From the early age of 12, Nancie was playing pub gigs, which also rewarded her with a local following and the catalyst to begin recording music of her own. “I’d play a gig and people would ask for a recording. Dad said, ‘Well why don’t you?’ So I did.”
Nancie began uploading the songs she had made to the Triple J unearthed site. In July 2017, Nancie released Corner Store, the first single from her album Sleeptalking, which attracted the attention of Triple J and was chosen as an Unearthed feature artist. 2017 also saw Nancie named as an Unearthed High finalist and the Live at the Steps winner.
Throughout 2018 and 2019 Nancie continued building her catalogue of songs, gained a spot in the BIGSOUND showcase, and made the most of opportunities to tour. Among all the performers and bands she supported, she was most excited to tour with Alex Lahey. “She was someone I looked up to when I started doing indie rock. I was obsessed with her music.” Nancie explains, “It was also my first time doing a proper tour. Playing all these cities I’d never been to before. I always felt like part of the tour family.”
2020 has allowed Nancie to take a bit of a break and find new inspiration. “I play a lot of piano at the moment. It’s been a good change of scenery. [With the guitar] I felt like I was creating the same tempo, the same strumming patterns... It’s completely changed my writing.”
Today, Nancie continues to take inspiration from female artists. “I identify with that. More representation in the industry of each and every gender, so everyone feels represented. I wouldn’t have felt that I could have a career in music if they weren’t there.”
Although quite tight lipped about it, Nancie is excited about the new project she is working on, “ It’s been a big year for me in discovering who I am. Not just as a musician, but as a person.” And while we wait for what this will be, we can still listen to Nancie’s most recent tracks When you get Home, and Take Out the Trash on Spotify, iTunes or Bandcamp.
