This week Candy chats with singer-songwriter, Thando. Born in Zimbabwe, Thando spent her early life travelling between the farmland and townships of the country whilst creating shows with her two older sisters. This desire for the stage was pursued further when her family immigrated to Ngunnawal country, the capital of so-called Australia. Here the possibility of a music career became real.
Currently based in Naarm [Melbourne] she is known for her electric presence and powerhouse vocals as a singer and performer. Thando is a brilliant collaborator and features on Sampa the Great’s debut album ‘The Return’. If she isn’t shaking it up with her art, Thando can be found mothering her beautiful daughter and fighting for representation in Australia.
Discussion Points
Assimilation as a survival tactic
Globalisation and the music industry
The politics of palatability in Australia
Benefiting from the colony a migrant settler
Body positivity and self-love
Quotes
‘someone’s body is nobody’s else’s business’
‘my music was played more when I was the token black person…but the day I started writing and releasing music about my experience as a black person in this country…there is an air of discomfort’
‘Be better and move on’
‘you can be an artist and political’
‘cultural architect’
‘as you climb it gets whiter and whiter’
Biography
Zimbabwean born and Melbourne based singer-songwriter, Thando, has been gracing stages around Australia with her electric presence and powerhouse vocals.
With her 2018 breakthrough single ‘Numb’ featuring REMI, Thando has since gone on to open for Allen Stone, Leon Bridges and R&B master Maxwell. Featured on Sampa the Great’s debut album ‘The Return’, her collaborative projects will continue well into 2020 with the pending release of her new EP ‘Life in Colour’. The multi-dimensional performer is forging forward to solidify her status as Australia’s newest first lady of R&B.
Links
Watch, Listen and Learn
Music
