Bio

NICKY MORAN

Singer-songwriter

"I've always wanted to sing. There have been many years of yearning and learning to write meaningful songs. Initially on piano... then they started coming thick and fast  while I was facing my greatest challenge. Life changing songs emerged from 2006 to present, with 10 self released gospel albums plus 2 more: "Salt" and "Light" waiting to be born. 

"These original songs bring encouragement on our journey with hope, wholeness, love and identity. They encompass contemporary gospel lyrics with flavours of country, rock, gospel, blues, soul, reggae, disco and throwbacks to the 70s & 80s power ballads."

Nicky has faced her own personal lockdown, being severely ill in her 30’s. Unable to do much she played piano and along her long road to recovery encountered Divine inspiration and unlocked “her true heart voice”. She says “Unlocked is about letting go of old behaviours and unlocking new mindsets that focus on positive affirmations”, something she has been focussed on ever since regaining her health Unlocked reminds us that positive affirmations are good for the soul, something we all need post emerging from the 2020 pandem

A prolific artist, writing, recording and touring at a pace that is hard to keep up with, Nicky is about to embark on her next tour, her second this year. Since 2014 Nicky has toured New Zealand and started touring prisons, the only female artist to do so, performing ~500 gospel shows in various forms on the inside of the wire to male and female NZ prisoners.  

Given her Country/Rock/Gospel/sound and ability to express her thoughts, and passions through her music one could almost call her the female, Kiwi, Johnny Cash.

The most recent album Unlocked by Nicky Moran contains 15 tracks inspired by and written mostly during NZ lockdown 2020. Unlocked was released in  2021 featuring the single Gonna Turn which was released after Moran featured as a finalist in the NZ Country Music MLT Songwriters award in June 2021. 

Starting with country blues, rock and americana, the tracks breeze through latino and 70s disco and includes a throw back to the 80s rock ballads. It concludes with praise songs and a final love song 'The Key’ (penned to her husband) which features orchestral backing. 3 songs feature top Gospel choir singers from Hamilton NZ and there are several guest instrument artists on the album. 

Containing faith filled lyrics with intimate and passionate moments found in each song intended to help us all gain strength, build life and purpose. Come on the journey, be renewed and restored inside the songs and get your faith on!

New Press release

YOUR PROMISES ARE FOR ME

SINGLE RELEASE

Embargoed until 7th April 2022                                              

Your Promises Are for Me is the third single taken from Nicky’s 10th Gospel album “Unlocked”, which was written during New Zealand’s first lock down and released in Spring 2021.

 

Moran describes her song ‘Your Promises Are for Me as “a way to hold onto our own personal peace and remain confident in the end things will work out for good.” ‘Your Promises Are for Me has a nostalgic

warmth, positive declarations and a feeling of safety and comfort and fun.

This is a pop song with a “dollop of joy, encouraging us to gain insight wisdom and revelation, be bold and courageous to avoid fear and find that the Lord is the safest shelter.” You will want to dance!

Nicky has faced her own major challenges in life being severely ill in her 30’s. Unable to do much for a time due to ill health she worked on piano and song writing and along her long road to recovery encountered Divine inspiration. She discovered ‘her true heart voice’. As she says “my songs are about life, love, how we are precious, the journey of hope and healing, and how to get to know the Almighty.

On regaining her health Nicky has become a prolific artist, writing, recording and touring at a pace that is hard to keep up with. For the last 6 years Nicky has toured New Zealand prisons, performing over 350 times on the inside

Given her country /Gospel sound and ability to express her thoughts, and passions through her music one could almost call her the female, Kiwi, Johnny Cash.

For more information please contact Nicky on 0212162016 or nmoran@xtra.co.nz

Social media links for Nicky Moran:

Facebook @voicewithspirit 

Website: https://nickymoran.com/home

Instagram: @nicky.moran.14

YouTube: http://bit.ly/NickMoranYoutube

ENDS

Notes

Gonna Turn reached the finals of the 40th MLT Song Writing Award and was performed on stage by Moran at the final and was released as a single on 4th June 2021.

 

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Press Release

Press release

Embargoed until 27 August 2021                                                                                  20/8/21

 

NICKY MORAN – UNLOCKED - ALBUM RELEASE

FRIDAY 27th AUGUST 2021

 

Unlocked, the 10th Gospel album from Nicky Moran, was mostly written and composed during lockdown. It reveals the contemplation and reflection invoked by that unprecedented event and features her recent single Gonna Turn, which she performed for the first time at the finals of the 40th MLT Song Writing Award in June 2021.

 

Unlocked contains Christian themes of praise, redemption and contemporary worship. It is an uplifting combination of catchy and sometimes unexpected sounds. A mix of ’70’s/’80s pop with a sprinkling of Americana, Country Blues, Rock and even big Orchestral ballads. Guaranteed to get you dancing along, whether it’s to Holy Is Thy Name, which goes from zero to groovy in 5 seconds flat, or the Beatles-esque Faith Come AliveJesus Our Reality features rhythmic flamenco guitar and Better Than Life Itself has a beautiful Orchestral flavour which is both inspiring and empowering.

 

Nicky says: “the songs keep morphing and developing. I’m influenced a little by Johnny Cash, but working with a choir and hearing fresh flavour in my songs compelled me to try new sounds, new ideas.” Moran is at her most creative during quiet times of reflection, musings, prayer and contemplation. During our lockdown in New Zealand: “the Scriptures poured out of me when I was still and quiet and not rushing in the everyday ordinary life things.” 

 

Nicky has faced her own personal lockdown, being severely ill in her 30’s. Unable to do much she played piano and along her long road to recovery encountered Divine inspiration and unlocked “her true heart voice”. She says “Unlocked is about letting go of old behaviours and unlocking new mindsets that focus on positive affirmations”, something she has been focussed on ever since regaining her health. Unlocked reminds us that positive affirmations are good for the soul, something we all need post 2020.

 

A prolific artist, writing, recording and touring at a pace that is hard to keep up with, Nicky is about to embark on her next tour, her second this year. For the last 6 years Nicky has toured New Zealand prisons, the only female artist to do so, performing 450 gospel shows in various forms on the inside to male and female prisoners.  

 

Given her Country/Gospel sound and ability to express her thoughts, and passions through her music one could almost call her the female, Kiwi, Johnny Cash.

 

For more information please contact Catherine at info@AskCatherine or Tel 0223507147

Social media links for Nicky Moran:

Facebook: @voicewithspirit

Website: https://nickymoran.com/

Instagram: @nicky.moran.14

YouTube: http://bit.ly/NickMoranYoutube

Press Coverage

 

The Other Side 

Nicky Moran – Gonna Turn (2021)

 

https://www.theothersidereviews.com/nicky-moran-gonna-turn-2021/

 

 

With inspiring messaging, Nicky Moran is encouraging us to change our lives and embrace hope, kindness and forgiveness in ‘Gonna Turn’. This is a message that many of us need to drop the chains of our old existence and fully take on the light of a new life or positive changes. Using a mixed country, folk and gospel sound, she touches your spirit in a way that pours her passion into your soul.

Since she was a young girl, Moran has wanted to sing and spent years learning and honing her musical skills. While hit with significant health issues, she encountered divine inspiration which infused her with hope, healing and light. Through her music, she looks to impart these feelings and help listeners find peace, purpose and passion in their own lives.

 

Gonna Turn’ has a wonderful country vibe to the melody. The beat has your foot tapping to it while your head has to bop along. While there is a really great country vibe, this is woven around a folk rock sound that comes through in the depths of the guitar lines. The piano adds a shimmy and sway to the music that makes you think of folk acts of old. You can hear the passion Moran has for what she does in the music is it works its way into your veins and sinks into your cells.

As you’re grooving to the earthy tones of the melody, her vocals grip your spirit and pull. Through her performance, you are filled with a sense of light and confidence that makes it possible to take on the changes you need in your life. There is a gospel element to the vocals, but this has been artfully threaded into the track to bolster the resilience of the human spirit. The confidence you get from listening to the track will have you ready to face the world and embrace any changes you need to make.

Nicky Moran uses the passion and power of her style to fill you with the confidence to change your life with ‘Gonna Turn’. There is a wonderful weaving of country, folk, rock and gospel in the melody that has you grooving to the sound. Her vocals bring the inspiration hit of the lyrics while sliding into your veins.

 


Rising Artists 

 

https://risingartistsblog.com/2021/07/21/gonna-turn-by-nicky-moran/

 

For the first time in a very long time the world was hit by something unimaginable and as we slowly try and crawl back to what our lives were post-2020, we have to be reminded that positive outlooks can do wonders for the soul. Those reminders can come in a variety of forms; notes left on the fridge, texts from loved ones, or songs like “Gonna Turn” by New Zealand’s Nicky Moran. 

There has been a song in Nicky Moran’s heart since she was just a kid and while she spent two decades writing and playing piano, nothing stuck until her life took its own unexpected turn. After battling some health issues and finding solace in her community’s support, she was inspired by a sort of divine spirit. From that came songs that guided her from the shadows and into the light, and onto brighter days. 

“Gonna Turn” is just the latest positive note from Nicky Moran. A song that stands on a solid foundation of Americana and folk, but soars to new heights thanks to the myriad of positive turns it encourages throughout. In the end, hopefully moving all who listen to turn their lives around for the better. Which is what Nicky Moran has done with her music for many years, as she is still the only artist in New Zealand to tour prisons. Touching the lives of those society often forgets for several years now, Moran’s folky gospel has moved many. 

Those who love their folk with a gospel touch can check out “Gonna Turn,” available now on all major music and streaming sites. Also, keep those eyes and ears open for Moran’s 10th gospel album, ‘Unlocked,’ out soon. 

Written by Kendra Beltran


Mango Wave 

https://mangorave.blogspot.com/2021/07/news-nicky-moran-gonna-turn-2021.html

New Zealand's singer and songwriter Nicky Moran will publish her tenth album "Unlocked" this year. The award-winning artist is well-known for her concert tours in prisons. Moran's mission is to spread hope, love, and peace amongst those who need a second chance.

Nicky Moran magically mixes Country and Soul, and thereby creates a powerful Rock Gospel. The gifetd musician uses gorgeous harmonies and soul-touching choruses to enchant her audience. "Gonna turn" is positivity-spreading piece of joy and hope, and you don't even have to be religious to enjoy it.

 


MUSIC MANAGERS FORUM AOTEAROA:                                                                                                                                      40TH ANNUAL MLT SONGWRITING AWARDS FINALISTS ANNOUNCED, MEMBER NEWS, INDUSTRY NEWS 

Event Details: 7pm, Thursday 3rd June, 2021 Tickets: https://www.nzcountrymusicawards.co.nz/attend 

With just 5 weeks till their much-loved event, the NZ Country Music Awards are proud to announce the Top 10 finalists of the MLT Songwriting Awards; an award that celebrates the unrecorded songs of NZ & Australia. The annual NZ Country Music Awards are held in Gore and recognise the best of the broad genre of Country Music in the Southern Hemisphere. Audiences who gather in the South each June witness the announcement of the Tui for Recorded Music NZ Best Country Artist, APRA Best Country Song and the MLT Songwriting Award Winner with performances from the finalists for all three awards. 

Jeff Rea, Chairman of the NZ Country Music Awards Committee and the first ever MLT Songwriting Awards Winner (1980), is excited to be celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Awards with a finalist list of world-class songs. “I’m amazed at the ever increasing standard of songs entered in the MLT NZ Songwriting Award and this year with close to record high entries of 117, we can’t wait to hear the top 10 finalists perform their song on the theatre stage,” (Jeff Rea, NZ Country Music Awards Chairman) 

The Official Top 10 Finalists for the 2021 MLT Songwriting Awards are: 

Look But Don’t Touch – Marian Burns (Auckland) 

Gonna Turn – Nicky Moran (Hamilton) 

If You Were a Bird – Jenny Mitchell (Gore) 

Imperfect Lovers – Mia Jay (Napier) 

Trouble Finds a Girl – Jenny Mitchell (Gore), Tami Neilson(Auckland), Chris Wethey (Christchurch) and Tali Enjalas Jenkinson (Christchurch) 

Old Bones and New Strings - Carylann Martin (Otaki) 

Alexandra Road – Chad Robinson (Queenstown) 

What It Does – Michael Young (Auckland) Dixie Dolejs(Auckland) 

Downsizing – Eric Reid (Pelican Waters, Australia) 

Tired as a Possum – Ron Mitchell (Gore) 

The NZ Country Music Awards are delighted to be nearing a sold out theatre for their event and welcome and encourage music lovers of all ages to secure their seats as soon as possible. 

Budding songwriters of all experience levels are also invited to attend the MLT Songwriting Seminar on Thursday 3rd June (10am – 2.30pm). The Seminar will feature guest speakers Ant Healy (APRA), Country Music superstar Kaylee Bell and award winning folk songwriter Jenny Mitchell.

https://www.mmf.co.nz/news-pages/2021/4/28/40th-annual-mlt-songwriting-awards-finalists-announced 


MUSIC MANAGERS FORUM AOTEAROA:  HAMILTON MUSICIAN AND SONGWRITER REACHES FINAL OF MLT SONG WRITING AWARD. MEMBER NEWS 

Local musician and songwriter, Nicky Moran has reached the finals of the 40th MLT Song Writing Award, to be held in Gore in June. 

Nicky is among 10 songwriters short-listed for the finals. She describes her song ‘Gonna Turn’ as “helping us to change from the old to the new life we are destined for. A life which is full of hope, kindness and forgiveness.” 

Nicky will be travelling to Gore to perform her song in the final on 3rd June. Her performance will come straight off the back off the prison tour, where she performs in all NZ prisons for free, something she has done annually since 2014. 

Nicky has said “I feel very humbled to have been shortlisted for the final and am excited to perform on the night in the company of other such talented songwriters.” 

‘Gonna Turn’ will be released as a single on 4th June 2021. It will also appear on her 10th Gospel album “Unlocked” due for release Spring 2021.

https://www.mmf.co.nz/news-pages/2021/5/7/hamilton-musician-and-songwriter-reaches-final-of-mlt-song-writing-award?gploaded=true&gploaded=true&gpcheckthirdparty=true


 

MUSIC NET NZ: NICKY MORAN – GONNA TURN - SINGLE RELEASE. FRIDAY 4th JUNE 2021 
  
Gonna Turn is the first single taken from Nicky’s 10th Gospel album “Unlocked”, which is due for release in Spring 2022. 
  
Moran describes her song Gonna Turn as “helping us to change from the old to the new life we are destined for. A life which is full of hope, kindness and forgiveness.” Gonna Turn has a country/Gospel, folk/rock flavour “inspired by the change music can bring to lives. I see it as a vehicle to finding hope, purpose, peace and passion”. 
  
Gonna Turn reached the finals of the 40th MLT Song Writing Award and will be performed on stage by Moran at the final, and will be released as a single on 4th June 2021. 
  
Nicky has faced her own major challenges in life having recovered from severe illness in her 30’s. Unable to do much for a time due to ill health she learnt piano and along her long road to recovery encountered Divine inspiration. Shediscovered her “true heart voice”. As she says “my songs are about life, love, how we are precious, the journey of hope and healing, and how to get to know the Almighty” 
  
On regaining her health Nicky has become a prolific artist, writing, recording and touring at a pace that is hard to keep up with. For the last 6 years Nicky has toured New Zealand prisons, performing over 350 times on the inside for prisoners.   
  
Given her Country/Gospel sound and ability to express herthoughts, and passions through her music, as well as her empathy with prisoners, one could almost call her the female, Kiwi, Johnny Cash. 

https://www.muzic.net.nz/news/11236/hamilton-musician-and-songwriter-reaches-final-of-mlt-song-writing-award


 

STUFF: HAMILTON GOSPEL SONGWRITER NICKY MORAN AMONG FINALIS FOR NATIONAL PRIZE

Hamilton gospel musician Nicky Moran has reached the finals of the 40th MLT Song Writing Award. 

Moran is among 10 songwriters short-listed for the finals of the award, which forms part of next month’s MLT NZ Gold Guitar Awards. 

She describes her song Gonna Turn as “helping us to change from the old to the new life we are destined for. A life which is full of hope, kindness and forgiveness.”

 She will travel to Gore to perform her song in the final on June 3. Her performance will come straight off the back off her annual prison tour, where she performs in all New Zealand prisons for free – something she has done each year since 2014.

 https://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/125146651/hamilton-gospel-songwriter-nicky-moran-among-finalists-for-national-prize

Press photos

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