Schwalger a.k.a. The Nomad, whose new album is topping charts, is performing at Water Bar on March 23.
During his short return to Wānaka Schwalger will also run a Q&A workshop at Mount Aspiring College about the album-making process, from the concept to touring.
At the Wānaka show, the second-to-last gig in his eight-show album-release tour, he will be performing his newest album, Infinite, a compilation of 16 of his favourite songs from his extensive career in music.
"I basically created a folder, went into my hard drive and dropped all of the tunes I thought would be a really good representation of the 25-year anniversary release.
"I had a look at it ... there was 16 there and I was like ‘oh that’s handy’."
Wānaka held a place in his heart and he would enjoy returning, he said.
"Wānaka is such a special place.
"It will be nice to see some really cool people again."
During the five-hour show, the experienced DJ will be joined by support acts MC Antsman with band Rhombus, Michelle Lang and Helen Carter (Live Sax) and Pops, Hardy & C:She B2B.
Schwalger started his career in the late ’80s in his hometown of Dunedin.
He made a move to Christchurch where he started making his own music in 1995. He then continued to Wellington and Melbourne, still creating music until 2011 when family called.
"My dad was living down in Kingston. His wife got really sick with cancer so then I moved to Wānaka to be closer to him."
Schwalger stayed in Wānaka for three years before moving to Westport to find a peaceful setting for his creative pursuits.
In 1998 The Nomad released one of New Zealand’s first drum and bass albums, Movement, which was co-produced by Tiki Taane.
He went on to make six more albums and his 1999 record Second Selection won a 2000 BNet music award for best dub hip-hop reggae release.
Schwalger has held workshops throughout his career, hoping to teach and inspire people. And due to his recent album’s success, he is hoping Mount Aspiring College pupils will learn a few things.
Infinite has gone from concept, to design, to selling out and going number one on the independent charts and number two on the New Zealand charts."
Schwalger will be speaking at the school on the Friday afternoon of his show.
His Wānaka show is one of eight gigs in his album release tour.
He also played in Auckland, Christchurch, Whanganui, Abel Tasman, Nelson and Karamea and the final show will be in Wellington.
Tickets for his upcoming show are available at Cosmic ticketing.
— Milo Long
