Beats Artistry: Ngaiire
Seriously I haven’t been this excited by a voice since Amy.
Dirty Hercules is the fierce new single from future-folk/soul artist Ngaiire, collaborating with the equally fierce Nai Palm (of Melbourne’s Hiatus Kaiyote). Shades of Erykah Badu are easy to pick up in this track but Ngaiire is not so easily classifiable, her voice resonates with all the rich history of great female soul singers from Billie to Janis, whilst her music takes influence from early twentieth century jazz harmonies as much as from soul and polyphonic Pacific song. As a poet, she’s got a mastery of sharp imagery and lingering poetic hooks.
Born in Papua New Guinea, raised in Australia and now based in Sydney, Ngaiire has been working for years with great artists in Oz including Paul Mac. In June her debut album Lamentations will bring her to everyone’s attention if there’s any justice at all – so pay attention now!
Checkpoint 303 releases 13 new tracks in May, in collaboration with Palestinian singers Jawaher Shofani and Wardeh Sbeit and poet Jihad Sbeit.