Most artists trying to break into the music industry burn out before they even hit their mid twenties. Seeing someone step out front and centre in their fourties, armed with real life experience and something interesting to say, is always a breath of fresh air. That is exactly what is happening with Brisbane artist Nicholas Pound (AKA Sonic Keys) and the release of his latest EP, In The Driver’s Seat. We asked Sonic Keys what sparked the urgency to go all in now?
"My passion and motivation for music have been with me since my 20s. Back then, I was entering karaoke competitions, building my confidence and developing my skills as a performer. That journey eventually led to one of my proudest achievements — representing Australia at the international finals in Burma in 2017. As incredible as that experience was, it also made me realise I still had plenty to learn and another level to reach. I was fortunate to receive guidance from an amazing mentor, the late Ketrina Baird, who helped me improve my breathing, diction and stage presence. Her encouragement and expertise made a lasting difference to me as a performer. Losing both my parents was a turning point in my life. Although I'd always had the drive to pursue music, by 2023 I still hadn't released an original song. Their passing reminded me just how short life can be and how important it is to follow your ambitions while you have the opportunity. One thing I've never wanted to live with is regret. I'd much rather give something my best shot than spend years wondering what might have been. In some ways, I'm also grateful that my musical journey has taken a different path. Unlike many artists who experience widespread attention, cameras and the pressures of the industry in their 20s, I've had the opportunity to grow and understand myself first. With more life experience and knowledge behind me, I feel better equipped to make decisions about my musical direction, the opportunities I pursue and how much of the spotlight I want to embrace. If there's one message I'd love people to take from my journey, it's that it's never too late to follow your passion or make your mark. Age doesn't have to define your opportunities, and success doesn't have to happen according to someone else's timeline. Sometimes the most important thing you can do is believe in what you're capable of, take that first step and give yourself the chance to see where it leads."
Before putting this EP together, tracks like "The Long Way Home" and "Angels" (Duet with Aria Cook) were appearing on international unsigned charts and attracting praise. We asked what it was like to work with local producer Stuart Stuart the art of balancing international ambition with staying grounded here in Australia.
“I had the pleasure of working once again with the incredibly talented producer Stuart Stuart, and it was fantastic to collaborate with him on this project. I wanted to work with Stuart again because I knew he had the creativity and experience to bring these five songs to life, and he certainly delivered with flying colours! I'm incredibly grateful for his hard work, talent and contribution to In The Driver's Seat. Having previously released several collaborations, I think there's naturally a certain level of expectation from listeners and followers when you take the next step with a project like an EP. For me, it's important to keep growing as an artist, investing in yourself and finding ways to improve with every release. A song might begin with a simple idea at the piano, but it's about taking that initial creation and developing it into something even greater. That's something I always strive for with my music. Reaching international audiences has always been one of my ambitions, alongside continuing to build my presence here in Australia's fantastic music scene. We've seen plenty of artists achieve just as much success overseas, sometimes even more than in their home countries. Having originally come from the UK, I've always felt a strong connection to the European music market, particularly its appreciation for pop music. Countries such as Germany, France, Switzerland and Italy have especially captured my interest, and I genuinely believe there's an audience for my music in those markets. Of course, that doesn't mean forgetting about Australia or the wonderful people at Local Sounds! The support of local music communities is incredibly important, and I believe we should always be championing independent and unsigned artists, wherever they come from. After all, every established artist started somewhere, and sometimes a little support can make a world of difference."
What stands out on In The Driver’s Seat is that it does not feel like a random mishmash of singles thrown together. We asked Sonic Keys whether this collection of songs had a theme or story that holds them together.
"That's a really good question! All five songs on the EP were developed during a songwriting retreat in a beautiful cabin in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, at Montvale at Montville — the very same estate where my wife and I got married. A special shout-out to Clive and Annie, who own the estate and kindly allowed me to spend a few days there. It was the perfect setting to escape, reflect and get creative. One thing I was taught early in my songwriting journey was the importance of having a concept when creating an album or EP. Something that connects the songs, gives the project a sense of direction and takes listeners on a journey through the stories you're trying to tell. Having experienced some difficult and traumatic events earlier this decade, particularly losing my parents, I wanted this EP to carry a message about moving forward. Life can throw some unexpected challenges your way, but you still have the opportunity to choose your direction, pursue what you're passionate about and take a chance on something you've always wanted to do. Sometimes you just have to test the waters and see where they take you. From memory, I arrived at the cabin with just one song idea already in mind, One By One. The other four tracks came together while sitting at the piano, drawing inspiration from artists and sounds I've always admired. For Make My Move, I had influences such as Kygo and Sombr in mind, while In The Driver's Seat drew inspiration from Jamiroquai, George Michael and Lime Cordiale. Better Days was influenced by artists including Merril Bainbridge and Sara Bareilles. As for Coming Back To You, that one simply came to me while sitting at the piano one morning! Altogether, I came away from the retreat with seven song ideas, five of which eventually made the final EP. Of course, writing the initial melodies and ideas was only the beginning. I spent a considerable amount of time refining the lyrics during the recording process with Stuart Stuart, with some valuable input from my wife, Nicky, who helped make sure the words flowed naturally and the messages stayed focused. Like many songwriters, I sometimes start with melodies and lyrics that don't necessarily make complete sense, but they help capture the feeling of a song. The real work comes in shaping those ideas into something meaningful. By the time we reached the final stages, I think we all understood what each song needed to say. It was really about finding those last few words and making sure everything came together. Looking back, the concept for In The Driver's Seat really took shape during those days at the cabin. While the songs explore different emotions and experiences, they're all connected by the idea of taking control of your own journey. You're in your own lane, with the open road ahead of you. There will always be bumps, obstacles and unexpected turns along the way, but what matters is having the courage to take the wheel and give it a go. And even if the journey doesn't go exactly as planned, at least you can look back knowing you took that chance rather than wondering what might have been. That's really the heart of In The Driver's Seat."
The track, "Make My Move," feels like the emotional starting point for the EP as it communicates a hurdle that needs to be cleared before moving on to “Better Days”. Sonic Keys shared with us his thoughts on this.
"I think the biggest hurdle was overcoming that hesitation and self-doubt that can sometimes stop you from taking the next step in life. For me, music had always been a passion, but for many years I found myself wondering whether I should take it further or whether I'd left things too late. Around 10–20 years ago, most of my opportunities to pursue music came through karaoke and smaller songwriting competitions. While those experiences helped build my confidence, I always knew I wanted to do more. Losing my parents really changed my perspective. It made me realise that life is too short to keep putting things off or waiting for the perfect moment, because sometimes that moment never comes. As I mentioned earlier, regret is something I've always wanted to avoid, and the longer you put something off, the easier it becomes to wonder what might have been. That's really where Make My Move comes from. It's about finding the courage to stop overthinking, believe in yourself and take that leap of faith, even when you're not entirely sure where it might lead. Essentially, it's about taking that all-important first step and going for it! Musically, I wanted the song to feel uplifting and energetic rather than overly serious or reflective. The piano and vocal hooks help capture that sense of optimism, excitement and possibility. I think we've all experienced moments where we've wanted to make a change, pursue an ambition or take a chance, only to hold ourselves back for one reason or another. Hesitation can be an incredibly powerful force, and sometimes the biggest obstacle standing in our way is simply taking that first step. The message is really quite simple: don't spend your life wondering what could have happened. Sometimes you've just got to make your move!"
Listing classic piano giants like Billy Joel and Elton John right alongside 90s dance outfit Massive Attack is an interesting mix of pop and alternative influences. We asked Sonic Keys how he manages to balance the various influences and sounds on this EP.
"A bit like a juggler trying to balance pins, balls and knives all at once! Nah, just kidding! One of my biggest musical inspirations in recent years has been Norwegian artist Kygo. What fascinates me about his live performances is how he combines traditional musicianship with modern electronic technology. He'll have a grand piano on stage alongside launchpads and DJ equipment, seamlessly bringing those elements together without losing the musicality behind it all. Artists like Fred again.. have also shown how electronic music can embrace modern production techniques while still maintaining that raw, organic and emotional connection with listeners. I remember being particularly inspired by artists like Kygo and Avicii, who managed to bring strong melodies and musical arrangements to the forefront while incorporating contemporary electronic production. For me, that's a fantastic combination, and it's something I've always wanted to explore with my own music. As I've grown older, I've also started thinking more about longevity as an artist. I want to create a recognisable sound that can evolve with the times without losing its identity. And who knows, heaven forbid, I might still be performing in my 60s or 70s! If that happens, I'd love to know I could still sit down at a piano, perform these songs and have them connect with an audience just as much as they do today. I genuinely believe there's a timeless quality to music that balances memorable melodies with modern production. We're already seeing songs from major Scandinavian artists continue to be celebrated and remembered years after their release, which shows how lasting that combination can be. Ultimately, I'd love to develop that same sense of longevity with Sonic Keys, while contributing something distinctive to Australia's independent music scene. For me, it's not about choosing between the piano and electronic music. It's about bringing the best of both worlds together and creating something that can stand the test of time."
Anyone who has ever carried amplifiers, keyboards, and cables into a venue knows that converting a perfect studio sounds into live room is challenging at best. Sonic Keys outlines how he is preparing to launch his new music into the real world.
"You'd think going from the recording studio to performing at a live venue would be pretty straightforward, right? Absolutely not! I really wish it were that easy, and I'm sure plenty of other artists would agree that they're two completely different experiences. My studio setup is quite different from what I use for live performances. For starters, I always try to visit a venue beforehand to get a feel for the space, check the logistics, see what equipment and facilities are available and introduce myself to some of the staff. I'm naturally a bit of a planner when it comes to live events, and I've found that a little preparation can make a huge difference on the day. For my live setup, I've got all the usual essentials, including my keyboard, speakers, cables and other equipment. Then there's my more customised setup, which includes my computer, Novation Launchpad and iPad. The iPad is particularly handy because, as I'm getting older, remembering three or four hours' worth of song lyrics isn't quite as easy as it used to be! Haha! Don't worry, my memory is still pretty good! One of the biggest challenges is getting the sound right. Whether I'm using my own PA system or the venue's equipment, everything needs to be checked and balanced to make sure the audience gets the best possible experience. I'm a performer rather than a professional sound engineer, so this can sometimes be one of the trickiest parts of the whole process! Remember how I mentioned introducing myself to the venue staff beforehand? Well, this is where those relationships can really come in handy. Having people around who know the venue and its equipment can make a world of difference when you're trying to get everything sounding just right. Once everything is set up, tested and ready to go, I can finally relax and enjoy what I came there to do — perform! That's the rewarding part, when all the preparation comes together and you can focus on connecting with the audience. But honestly, everything from organising the logistics and transporting equipment to setting up, soundchecking and finally singing that first note is a project in itself. It's a completely different world from working in the studio, and both require their own skills and preparation. And believe me, you haven't truly experienced the joys of live performing until you've had to set up all your own equipment for a gig! It's definitely character-building, but it's all part of the adventure!"
Any experienced live performer eventually comes across a gig where everything that can go wrong does or the crowd are disengaged.We asked Sonic Keys what cover song he pulls out of his back pocket to keep the crowd entertained.
"Oh yes, I've definitely found myself in this situation a few times! In fact, it happened earlier this year at the Petrie Hotel, where I had to rethink my approach because the crowd out on the terrace seemed to want just one thing — The Angels' classic Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again! No matter what I played, they kept coming back to that one! One of my go-to songs when I need to grab an audience's attention is my version of Bill Withers' Ain't No Sunshine. It's not a particularly long song, but it certainly has a way of stopping people in their tracks. There's that famous section with the 24 repetitions of "I know", and keeping the timing and rhythm consistent throughout can be quite a challenge! I've found that audiences can become almost mesmerised by it, which is an amazing feeling as a performer. Sometimes that's all it takes to completely shift the atmosphere. I actually gave it a go at the Petrie Hotel, and it worked for a little while! The crowd settled down and started listening, but before long, the requests for The Angels came flooding back. Haha! Sometimes you just can't please everyone on a Friday night! More recently, I tried something a little different at Lefty's open mic, combining Ain't No Sunshine with Gnarls Barkley's Crazy in a mashup. That really caught people's attention and helped create the right atmosphere for me to introduce two acoustic versions of my original songs from the EP, Make My Move and In The Driver's Seat. It was fantastic to see how a familiar song, presented in a slightly unexpected way, could encourage people to listen to something new. I absolutely agree that every live performer needs a couple of reliable go-to songs up their sleeve. They're incredibly useful when you need to win over a crowd, change the mood or simply get people to stop and listen. I've also learnt that what works brilliantly at one venue might not have the same effect somewhere else. Every audience is different, and sometimes it's a matter of experimenting, reading the room and discovering what connects. That's one of the biggest lessons I've learnt from performing live — you can prepare as much as you like, but every audience is different. Sometimes it's about thinking on your feet, trying something unexpected and finding that one song that changes the atmosphere. It doesn't always work, but when it does, it's an incredibly rewarding feeling. That's what makes every live performance a different experience!"
With the EP available now and local launch dates just around the corner, the real work of keeping momentum going begins. Sonic Keys shares his plans for where he wants to take the project over the next twelve months:
"Great question! I think the first priority is to give In The Driver's Seat the opportunity to find its audience. We've put an enormous amount of work into these five songs, and I'd love to see just how far they can travel, both here in Australia and internationally. I've always had ambitions to reach audiences in places like the UK, Europe and North America, so continuing to build relationships with radio stations, music platforms and industry professionals overseas is definitely high on my list. Closer to home, one of my biggest goals over the next 12 months is to focus more on live performances. Gigs have been a little quieter than I'd like recently, so I'd love to get back out there, perform at more venues and introduce Sonic Keys to new audiences. There's something special about connecting with people through live music, and I'd really like to build a stronger following through regular performances. As for a full-length album, it's certainly something I'd love to explore in the future! I'm constantly coming up with musical ideas. Sometimes all it takes is hearing an interesting chord progression, and before I know it, I'm sitting at the piano working on another song! Creating this EP has taught me an incredible amount, particularly about combining my piano roots with contemporary pop, soul and electronic influences. One thing I'm especially proud of is that I feel I've finally discovered the musical direction and sound I want Sonic Keys to be recognised for. If I were to create a full-length album, I'd certainly want to build on that foundation while continuing to experiment and evolve. I'm also really interested in exploring more songwriting collaborations, both for my own releases and potentially for other artists. Co-writing is something I'd particularly love to develop, especially working alongside artists who might have a great musical idea but need some help bringing a song together. I believe there's always something new to learn from collaborating with different songwriters, musicians and producers, and I'd love to contribute my own experience and creativity to that process. For now, though, I'm not putting unnecessary pressure on myself to rush straight into another major release. I'd rather give this EP the attention it deserves, take everything I've learnt from the experience and continue building towards the next chapter of my musical journey. The journey certainly doesn't end with In The Driver's Seat. If anything, I feel like I'm only just getting started! I've found a sound I'm proud of, I've got plenty more ideas waiting to be explored, and I'm excited to see where the road takes me next!"
In The Driver's Seat EP is proof that taking your time to grow into your skin before releasing a record pays off. And if you get the chance to catch Sonic Keys live pull up stool, listen and don’t ask for the Angels.
Sonic Keys “In The Driver’s Seat” is now playing on Local Sounds
https://localsounds.com.au/song/sonic-keys/in-the-driver-s-seat
SoundVerge Editorial
Independent music journalism
