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Nardia Drayton was destined for the music industry, having grown up surrounded by it—her father, a lifelong musician, meaning she spent much of her early years “sleeping in guitar cases”. Though she originally planned to move to Sydney in the late 1980s to join a band, life had other ideas. Decades later, it was her best friend, artist Tania Murray, who reignited her musical passion by inviting Nardia to sing backing vocals on her country singles, released in late 2021 and early 2022. This pivotal moment inspired Nardia to finally pursue her own songwriting and recording ambitions. Her debut single, You’re Not There, came to life when lyrics began forming in her mind. Without overthinking it, she recorded the chorus on her phone and quickly wrote the rest of the song in a matter of minutes. After sharing a rough demo with renowned artist, friend and producer Michael Carpenter, he encouraged her to record it, so they headed into the studio together. The result was a heartfelt alt country track, enriched by the talents of fiddle player Luke Moller and rising Sydney country artist Bonnie Kellett on backing vocals. Released on October 21, 2022, You’re Not There received airplay across Australian country radio, including ABC Country, Kix Country, and numerous community and online stations. With over 14 years of experience working in the country music industry as a publicist, record label manager, and independent release consultant, Nardia has contributed to the careers of many emerging and established Australian country artists. She runs her own country PR firm and independent record label, continuing to support the next generation of talent while also pursuing her own musical journey. Balancing her successful PR and label business with her artistic aspirations, Nardia made a unique decision in 2023: rather than releasing music regularly, she would drop one single each year on October 21, in honour of her daughter’s birthday. This approach allows her to savour the creative process while staying dedicated to helping others achieve their musical dreams. In line with this commitment, Nardia returned to the studio with Michael Carpenter in September 2023 to record her second single, Empty Mess, released on October 21, 2023. The song also garnered airplay across Australian country radio on both community and commercial stations. Looking ahead, Nardia is preparing to release her third single, the very catchy alt country tune, Rolling (Like the Wind), again produced by Michael Carpenter and set for release on October 21, 2024. True to her word, she continues to blend her love for songwriting with her dedication to the artists she supports—always with a song in her heart and a promise to keep.