51 Questions with Nigel Hartagan

Written by D. M. Needom 1/12/2024

1. Tell me a little bit about yourself.

Nigel Hartagan: I'm the Bass Player for Sambuka Fedora. I was voted Sexiest Man Alive three times in Pop Hits over in the UK. Some people think that I'm a sex god incarnate; my wife once said I was a walking cock, or maybe that was me. Truth is, I'm just a man who knows how to please women. However, now I just please one, Ava.

2. Why did you choose this author to tell your story?

NH: D. and I have a special connection. I can't explain it, but we haunt each other's dreams. 

3. What do you look like? 

NH: My hair has some blonde highlights mixed in the natural chestnut brown. It's about shoulder length and pretty messy. I'm about 6'1 and about 11 Stone. Sorry, this is a US publication. I'm about 154. I should eat better, but you only sometimes get to eat properly with my lifestyle. No, sometimes my appetite is for other things. Sorry, we were talking about my looks. I have amber-brown eyes and, as I said before, a killer smile and a strong chin. That helps make a good smile great.

4. Describe your best and worst attributes.

NH: My face, of course. Women tell me my eyes are dreamy, and they love my smile. Worst, I have a bit of an addictive personality, and I can be a tad jealous. 

5. What is something no one knows about you? 

NH: That I believe in love at first sight. It was love at first sight with Ava, but the feeling wasn't mutual. She had misgivings. It was totally my fault, as the Rockstar ego was on.

6. What is the greatest challenge you've ever faced? 

NH: Snorting too much blow and ending up in a coma. When I woke up, the days after were the most challenging. It was hard to avoid temptation and admit that I failed on some levels. However, one of the hardest things was waking up and wanting to apologize to someone I had hurt so badly but discovering they weren't in my life. (He smiles wistfully.) Well, she wasn't just yet. 

7. What is your biggest weakness?

 NH: Maybe it's my jealousy of Russell Langford, one of my best mates. He used to have a thing for my wife. Wait, I shouldn't say that. That's not what you meant, was it? Let me change that. A bird with a nice set of jubbles or, for you, Yanks, a broad with a nice rack. I do enjoy a little cleavage.

8. What is your hidden talent?

NH: Well, if I told you, it wouldn't be so hidden. I will say this: it's reserved only for my wife. I often show her how talented my fingers and tongue are. Trust me, I don't suck until I think she's ready, and then I have her seeing stars as she climaxes over and over. We played a wicked game of 20 questions, and I edged her close but stopped before giving her what she wanted, which was me. When I did, she couldn't get enough, as my cock is just as talented.

9. What is your greatest accomplishment?

NH: Some would say being the bassist for Sambuka Fedora, or even being nominated for a Grammy or winning sexiest man. Honestly, the truth is marrying Ava. She let me find the real me under all the rockstar bullocks.

10. What is the worst pain you ever felt?

NH: I woke up from a coma and wanted to see my wife and kid, only to discover I wasn't married. However, that pain went away when I found my wife from my dreams was real. Hell, I even claimed her, and we're married now.

11. Tell me about your significant other.

NH: She is the most amazing woman. When she walks into a room, I can't help but smile. We share this bond. When we touch each other, there is this energy that we share. I can feel it even with the slightest touch. There's no one else in the world I have a bond like this with, and I know she's my one, and nothing will ever change that. 

12. What do you see when you look in the mirror? 

NH: Someone who finally has his life on track. I have everything a man could want, and I'm grateful.

13. Are you an introvert or an extrovert?

NH: I like my alone time, but in my line of work, there are times when you are required to be an extrovert, no matter what your mood is. I admit, though, I haven't been so friendly a few times lately as the fans have verbally attacked Ava.

14. What is the biggest risk you've ever taken? 

NH: I've taken many, though the biggest one recently was taking Ava to Caleb's party. His parties are always out of control with drugs and sex. I lost a girlfriend once after one of those parties. So, taking Ava was a massive risk as I wasn't sure how she'd handle the drugs or all the public sex. Fortunately, it all worked out, but the aftermath wasn't so pleasant for her. (He stops for a moment in thought.) Honestly, it brought us closer together.

15. What scares you about your future?

NH: That I will fall back into bad habits and lose Ava and our life.

16. What is your dream career?

NH: I'm living the dream.

17. What are you most passionate about?

 NH: Music, performing, and, of course, Ava.

18. What makes you tick?

NH: Music, it always has. Of course, now there is something, or should I say someone else, that gets me going. 

19. Tell me about your parents?

NH: Dad was great and always supportive. Willing to take me and my mates to our gigs if we needed him to. He helped me make my gear custom to my liking, and I couldn't ask for more than that. 

My mum was great at times but could be my harshest critic, especially when I started nicking a few of her best blouses.

20. What was your childhood like? 

NH: It was normal, or at least seemed that way. Dad was very supportive. Mom had moments when I was trying to get this all started that she believed in me, but she could also be my worst critic. Though sometimes, I think my mum wishes I was more like Russell (Langford). Oh well, I can only be me. 

 21. What were you like in high school?

NH: We didn't have a high school. The equivalent was O levels, but I didn't care for it. Art and music were more for me, though I finished. 

Outcast all the way. I hit my cool phase while working at the club and met Cami. That whole adventure is in My Daze with the Dark Muse, but you might not like what you find if you choose to go there. 

22. What is your happiest childhood memory?

NH: My best mate Russell, he's a really cool guy. He got tickets for Tristan, his brother and my lead singer, and me to go see David Bowie with him at Hippodrome in 1977. It was his gift to me for my fifteenth birthday. It was the Idiot World Tour, and Iggy Pop was on the bill besides Bowie. They were pure genius. 

After the show, the three of us waited outside the backdoor to try and meet them, and we did. Man, to have your idol look down at you and smile. It was just the most mind-blowing experience. Sometimes, when meeting fans after a show, I remember that moment and know they're living their dream. 

 23. Do you have children?

NH: We're expecting our first this summer.

24. Tell me about your house or apartment.

NH: Which one? I have three. I have a house in London and a Condo in New York, and Ava and I have just set up residence in LA right off the ocean. 

I can tell you about my London home. I have a lovely Victorian Grade II listed house built in 1840 by the architect George Basevi, a distinguished architect of the mid-19th century. It has six floors, and besides the master bedroom, it has six bedrooms. It has a lovely garden out back, and well, I don't need all those bedrooms, so I now have a music room and an art studio. It was too big of a place for just me, but now, with Ava and what I hope is the first of many kids, the house won't seem so big as it will be filled with the pitter-patter of little feet. 

25. Who are your best friends, and why? 

NH: Ava is at a certain point, but then there's Rusty, Mason, Tristan, and all my other bandmates. Then I have a friend who looks out for me named Terry. Why are they my friends? Because they all have a role to play in my life.

26. What is your favorite book of all time? 

NH: The Story of King Arthur and His Knights is a true classic. My parents names me after the King. A proper royal name, but one that caused a lot of ridicule when I was a kid. Some of my best memories are when my folks would take turns reading it to me repeatedly until I could read it. I still have my battered copy of it tucked away in my house. It is always an excellent way to get out of being homesick for a bit. Though I can recite some of it to you.

27. What is your favorite food? 

NH: Steak, a good filet, grilled cooked to medium rare with butter smeared across the top and a nice baked potato with all the toppings. A meal to die for.

28. Do you feel like the music of your youth influenced who you are today? 

NH: Definitely. Had I not gotten into Bowie or Roxy, I would've never picked up a guitar. Their music and looks inspired me and gave me a dream. They gave me the confidence that a geek with acne and glasses could make it. I didn't have to be perfect, but eventually, I became just that.

29. Did anyone or anything influence your sense of style? 

NH: For years now, I've influenced styles. Because of that, I get free clothes. The free clothes are what influence my style. So, anyone who wants to dress me is more than welcome. 

30. If you were a dog, what breed would you be? 

NH: Some kind of lap dog, as I would love just to spend the day in Ava's lap and her petting me. Oh, to be that pampered pooch.

31. What are the five items you could never live without?

NH: Ava isn't a thing, but could I bring her? No, Ava, hmmm. Okay, my Kubicki Ex Factor 4 Drop D, Fretless Bass, so I can continue to play. It's one of my favorite basses to jam with still. Let me think about this. Something that means everything (he pulls out a winged heart locket with a stainless pick behind it.). This is because when Ava gave it to me, she said it was her heart. So, I know I couldn't live without that. It has a wedding picture, and the pick is for our baby, due in July. So that is three. My wedding ring; as much as I love my freedom, somewhere deep down, I like being married. My ring is my tether to my actual reality and Ava. I know you said no, but bullocks to that. While Ava isn't a thing, I say Ava because when she isn't around, it feels like part of my soul is missing. Last is my sketchbook, which has art pencils inside. I could either draw or write in it. Between the bass and the sketchbook, I would always be energized. 

32. Do you consider yourself a hero? If so, why?

NH: I am a hero in Ava's eyes. I know she sees me as her King or at least her prince who came in and claimed his queen.

33. Do you consider yourself to be a "good person"?

NH: I think I am. I do good for everybody when I can. There have been times in the past that I have been a cad and treated people, especially women, in not the best way, but I have reformed and tried to do good by others as often as I can. 

34. What's your favorite animal? Why? 

NH: Lion, because like me, he is the King of the jungle, and I'm certainly a king.

35. Who would you want to play you in the movie version of your life?

NH: I think David Bowie. I mean, women fancy him as much as they fancy me. Ava, well, she could play herself; I know she'll be an actress one day anyway.

36. What song should be your theme song? The one that will play every time you walk into a room. 

NH: I used to say Lust for Life by Iggy Pop, but now It is 20th Century Boy cause I do move like a cat. However, it has a special meaning to me now. If I had the pleasure of hearing it every time I walked into a room, my mind would go to the first night I danced with Ava. 

37. Tell me about your "superpower"? 

NH: Think we covered that earlier, under hidden talent. ( He winked.) However, my (bass) playing has lingerie tossed my way almost nightly when I am on stage. Will that change now since I'm married?

38. What is your secret fantasy?

NH: Rather dull. I continue to make music so that Ava and I grow old, raise our kids, and experience grandkids. Like I said, it's rather boring.

39. Where would you go on your dream vacation? Who would you take with you? 

NH: I'd love to go to Bora Bora or maybe Bali. Being surrounded by all that beauty would be amazing. While we had a blast in Gibraltar. I long for the day when we can resume the honeymoon, and this would be our perfect destination. It would be the ideal peaceful romantic getaway where no one could bother us.

40. Do you believe there is a fine line between love and hate? Why or why not? 

NH: Yes. Rusty is one of my closest friends; I love him like a brother. Though there have been times right before Ava and I married that I hated him. I hated what he had done and was still doing to Ava. 

41. What does happiness mean to you? 

NH: Currently, being with my wife in our home and just relaxing. There is a peace to it. Though I am looking forward to going back on the road. I hope Ava can travel with me because there would be no happiness in my hotel room at night without her.

42. What makes you laugh out loud? When was the last time you laughed until you cried?

NH: On our wedding day, Ava and I had a good laugh and ended up wearing cake as we fed each other. I had the photographer take a picture because it was too fucking funny. We didn't cry but came close. 

43. Do you consider yourself to be a sexual "vanilla" or a more exotic flavor?

NH: I'm certainly not vanilla after what I told you earlier about my skills. Hell, I made Ava come while we sat at an outdoor cafe for our pre-wedding dinner. We're also a member of the mile-high club, so vanilla isn't even a thought or an option. Tantric or bondage are the options I play with. 

44. Do you have a kink or fetish? If so, why do you think that particular act is so exciting to you?

NH: I think I just answered that.

45. Where is the craziest place you have had sex?

NH: Let's see a dressing room at Madison Square, Hotel Balcony on our Wedding night, a VIP section at the Palladium, and a bathroom on a private jet. I'm sure we'll add more to that in the future.

46. What is your favorite sexual position? 

NH: I used to say Doggy style. I admit it was wrong of me, but it was as if I was screwing someone I didn't want; well, I didn't have to see their face and could think it was someone else, even if it felt different. With Ava, there isn't one fave, as I've enjoyed everything we've tried and look forward to more things to come, and I mean that in every sense of the word.

47. What are three things you want to be remembered for and why? 

NH: Being a great bassist. Being a good husband and father, but I don't know if that's possible. I hope it is, but time will tell.

48. What is your life philosophy? 

NH: Make the most of every moment because it is a gift.

49. Do you have a motto?

NH: Enjoy every moment because it is better to burn out.

50. Imagine yourself as being 80 years old. Tell me where you're at and what kind of person you are.

Nigel: When we weren't touring or making music. Ava and I sitting on the porch somewhere watching our grandkids playing, maybe even great-grandkids; who knows, the world is full of possibilities.

51. Is there more to your story? 

NH: Of course, so much more. Life is an adventure.