Justin “Ned”Landers

I was born in Orange, but I grew up out west in Cobar — Dad was a shearer’s cook and farm hand. A lot of the places out there you couldn't get TV, so our only entertainment was Mum's records and I just loved listening to them. I used to sit on the lounge room floor with the record player in a little red suitcase picking out the records and then play them — I loved it.

After high school I moved back to Orange to work at Email and met Eddie Freedman. Eddie was a well-known guitarist and we played together in various bands for about 18 years.

Since Ed and I moved on, I started writing my own songs and I love it — having an idea and seeing it grow into a song.  I released an album in 2017 with four originals and I'm writing a new original album at the moment — the first single will be available from 12 July.

Performing is not really about me. I like to bring joy to people; that's my thing. Sure, I get a kick out of it, but it is really about providing entertainment and seeing people be happy.

If nothing ever comes of the songs I write, it doesn’t really matter to me, because I’ll know that I gave it a go and enjoyed doing it… but if they do go somewhere, well and good! That's a bonus!