At the age of 70, Nira Amba, a dedicated songwriter and composer, has recently embarked on a new journey with the creation of his YouTube channel, MusicByNira, which showcases a significant body of his work spanning over four decades. With a growing subscriber-base and more than 70 compositions already shared, Amba’s channel offers a glimpse into his diverse and rich musical career. Let’s dive into a conversation with the composer himself to learn more about his musical journey, influences, and future aspirations.
Nira, it’s great to have you with us. Can you start by telling us how you first got involved in music?
Thank you for having me. My father was a singer, a really good one, who loved the ballads of the ’50s and ’60s. Growing up in a house filled with music, it was almost inevitable that I would develop an interest. I was 11 when I got my first guitar—an old solid electric that was so heavy I could only play it sitting down. I started writing my own music shortly after.
Over the years, how has your approach to music evolved?
I’ve always been more intrigued by the creative process than by performing. I did enjoy my time playing in a university band, but once we split after graduation, I focused primarily on writing and composing. For years, music was a passionate hobby while I worked as a business consultant. Only recently, as I turned 70, did I decide to actively share my work, hoping to reach a broader audience.
Your YouTube channel features a variety of genres. How would you describe your musical style to someone who has never heard it?
It’s difficult to pin down my music to a single genre because it encompasses everything from blues, folk, and soul to rock, pop, and disco. I was born in Sri Lanka and moved to the UK when I was just three years old, in the late ’50s. This early exposure to Eastern music has profoundly influenced my compositions. I’m particularly fond of what I call East-West Fusion, which combines Indian rhythms and instruments with Western melodies. My aim is to create music that offers something for everyone, whether they want to relax or dance.
What do you hope listeners take away from your music?
More than anything, I hope listeners find something in my music that resonates with them. Although all of my tracks are essentially demos, it would be wonderful if other artists saw potential in them for professional releases. That’s the dream, really.
Do you have any current projects or plans for the future that your fans should know about?
At the moment, I’m remixing tracks for my YouTube channel from a little studio in my lounge in Nottingham. As for new projects, that’s a bit challenging with most of my equipment still in storage. For now, there are no shows or releases planned; I’m just focusing on writing and composing.
As our conversation came to a close, it was evident that Nira Amba’s enthusiasm for music burns as brightly as ever. His YouTube channel, MusicByNira, not only showcases his enduring commitment to composition but also extends an open invitation to listeners everywhere to discover his rich array of musical creations. Whether you’ve followed his journey for years or are just encountering his work for the first time, Nira Amba’s music promises a distinct experience, weaving together diverse genres and generations with every note.
