With 11 albums, international collaborations and a career spanning three decades, The Nomad (Daimon Schwalger) is one of New Zealand's pioneering electronic music producers. Now settled in Nelson, he's celebrating the past while planning for the future.
Tell us how The Nomad came about?
Back in 1998, I was living in Ōtautahi Christchurch. I had just finished a live music project called Locust with Pearl Runga and Ryan Smith, and I decided it was time to branch out on my own. I had been DJing for around nine years at that stage and felt it was the right time to launch a solo project. My first album, Movement, was one of the first drum and bass albums to come out of New Zealand. The local scene really got behind it, and I received a huge amount of support. I toured extensively around New Zealand, and from there the rest is history.
How many albums have you produced and who are some of the names you have worked with?
I have produced 11 albums to date. Two were produced in Christchurch, several in Wellington, one in Melbourne, and the rest on the West Coast of the South Island. Tiki Taane co-produced my first three albums, and over the years I've had the privilege of working with members of Salmonella Dub, Pepsi from Wham!, The Mad Professor, Tehimana Kerr from Fat Freddy's Drop, MC Antsman, Oakley Grenell, and many others.
What was one of the best events or festivals you played at?
One event that really stands out was supporting Moby at the Auckland North Shore Events Centre around the year 2000. It was a huge moment for me because I wasn't only supporting a legendary artist, I was also performing in front of more than 5,000 people. I was incredibly nervous before going on stage. Luckily, King Kapisi was standing side-stage just before my set and asked if I wanted him to MC for me. It was a huge relief and I immediately said yes. Having someone of his caliber up there with me gave me confidence, especially as I was performing tracks from my album 2nd Selection. The gig was a massive success and remains one of the most memorable performances of my career.
What is a special music project you worked on that crossed over into the arts world?
One of the most memorable arts projects I have ever worked on was the opening event for the 2012 Wellington Arts Festival with artist Michel Tuffery. I was the Music Director for a production called First Contact. Michel and a talented team of animators used eight 20,000-lumen projectors to transform the exterior of Te Papa into a giant visual canvas. We spent around six months developing the project before presenting the final one-hour performance. The work explored Captain Cook's voyages around Aotearoa and included historical imagery sourced from Te Papa's collection rooms. We also recorded taonga pūoro for the soundtrack, including instruments gifted to Cook during his journeys.
The scale of the project was incredible, but what made it truly special was the team behind it. Many of us were close friends, and the experience of creating something so ambitious together made it one of the highlights of my career.
Why have you chosen to move to Nelson?
My wife Prue and I have always loved Nelson. The vibe here is incredibly positive, the weather is fantastic, and the local music community has been very supportive throughout my 30 years in the industry as a producer. When Prue was recently offered a job in Nelson, it felt like the perfect opportunity to make the move and call this place home. We still have a house on the West Coast where my recording studio is currently based, so we travel back every couple of weeks. Eventually, we plan to sell that property and invest in a home here in Nelson. For years we visited Nelson for long weekends and holidays, so it already felt familiar. Since moving here, everything has just felt right. We love the people, the energy, and the lifestyle that Nelson has to offer.
What events have you got coming up?
About a month ago I was photographing an event at The Boathouse. While I was there, my creative brain kicked into gear, and I started thinking about how amazing it would be to put on an event at such a unique venue. That idea became The Mid-Winter Showdown, featuring King Kapisi, myself, MC Antsman, and a fantastic lineup of local DJs, along with lighting, decorations, and plenty of positive energy. The idea was to create a community gathering during the colder months where people could come together, celebrate life, and enjoy great music. The event sold out in just under three weeks. I knew there would be interest, but I certainly didn't expect it to sell out that quickly. The response has been incredible and I’m planning 2027 already.
Tell us about your next album.
This year marks 30 years of me being a music producer, so I wanted to create something truly special to celebrate the milestone. I have completed a brand-new 16 track album which has already been mixed and mastered. The lacquer has been cut in the United States and sent to the United Kingdom for stamper production. Once the stampers return to New Zealand, Holiday Records will complete the test pressings for the vinyl release. The artwork designed by my good friend Francis Cheetham based in Paris is absolutely stunning, and I'm incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by such a talented and supportive team of creatives who have helped bring the project to life. The album will be released on vinyl, CD, and cassette tape. We have decided to make it a physical-only release as a tribute to the era when music was something you could hold in your hands. There will be no digital release. Alongside the album, I am currently planning a nationwide New Zealand tour throughout October and November, touring with me will be Tim Budgen who does visual for Shapeshifter, Tim is working on incredible visuals for thew show and Mc Antsman from Rhombus. Everything is coming together really well, and the support I've received has been overwhelming. This is a very special milestone, and I'm looking forward to celebrating 30 years of music with audiences around the country.
