NOT every community can boast its own library of local music stories, but on Tamborine Mountain, one man has made it his mission to capture them before they fade.
For the past two years, Ludek Nemecek has been running the Tamborine Mountain Musicians Interviews Project, a voluntary initiative that maps the lives, stories and sounds of the mountain’s music makers.
The idea grew out of JB’s Mountain Music Shop, where shop owner John “JB” has been selling instruments, giving lessons and hosting a Saturday morning internet radio show for more than a decade.
“JB plays heaps of local music, and I thought we could fill the program with something extra by interviewing local musicians,” Ludek said.
“That’s how it started in 2024. The first interview was actually with JB himself – he’s a bit of a legend here on the mountain.”
Since then, Ludek has interviewed 27 musicians, aiming to reach up to 40 by the end of the year.
Each fortnightly session traces a performer’s early influences, their reasons for calling Tamborine Mountain home, and their thoughts on the local music scene.
“The interviews really have everything,” he said.
“We talk about their childhood, what inspired them, their lives on the mountain, advice for young musicians and even memories of friends who’ve passed away.”
Interviews are broadcast live on TMFM radio and later uploaded online for musicians to share with family, friends and fans.
“Many of them have never done a radio interview before, so it’s often their first experience behind a microphone,” Ludek said.
“For some, it’s a little nerve-wracking at first, but it’s also a valuable tool for their bio and promotion.”
Ludek believes the project is helping shine a light on a talented community.
“We have nearly 7000 people here, but not everyone knows about the local musicians playing in pubs, distilleries and other venues,” he said.
“Some are touring artists, others are just starting out, but they all deserve to be appreciated.”
The project is set to wrap up by year’s end, though Ludek says there may be opportunities for future revivals.
In the meantime, he hopes more musicians step forward to share their stories before the final interviews are recorded.
