1.Growing Up
I started singing at church in Canberra, and it was stuck from there. Soon enough I was the girl singing the anthem in assembly and doing the talent shows, so it’s always felt right to continue it into my adult life.
2.Inspirations
Jill Scott is my main inspiration – her songwriting style is great on account of being able to resonate with the songs no matter the subject matter. On the production side of things, Ngaiire’s last album Lamentations helped us mould R&B into electronic music.
3.Your Band
My band is made up of mates from JMC Academy in Melbourne. We just started jamming outside of uni and it stuck, and I’m incredibly lucky to know these very talented men and women. The current lineup is made up by Reece Marr on bass, Tom Clarke on drums, Henry James on guitar and production, and Michael Cooper on keys, synths and co-production. Then I have three kick-ass backing singers: Moe, Danielle and Thembie.
4.The Music You Make
Henry James produced this EP and the songwriting was collaborative. I generally write songs as ballads on keys and he translates them into a full band arrangement, and other times he writes a great instrumental and I do my thing over it, then each member brings their own flavour to the tune. Think of the vocal styling of Alicia Keys with choral harmonies over a bed of luscious keys, thick bass and drums and sexy rhythm guitar. Every sound you hear on the record was created by a member of the band, so we can translate that live with real instruments.
5.Music, Right Here, Right Now
The music scene is ripe with musical talent that needs to be exported. I do wish there were more opportunities for local artists to be able to showcase overseas or even secure support slots for internationally touring acts. But I do have to say, live music venues that cut a great deal for artists to play and pay their bills are the lifeblood of this industry, so I hope these lockout laws are overturned soon.
Digital Love Letters by Thando is out Friday June 10 independently; and they play Oxford Circus on Sunday June 12 with Josue and Imogen Spong.
