Zimbabwean-born and Melbourne-based singer-songwriter, Thando has been gracing stages around Australia with her electric presence and powerhouse vocals.
Thando headlines the Saturday component of November Nights – a new music festival in Adelaide that celebrates storytelling, diversity and strength from some of the country's most talented female performers – alongside blues singer-songwriter Caiti Baker, Polynesian woman of soul Karen Lee Andrews, and Adelaide based singer-songwriter Jay Power.
Earlier this year, Thando released 'Gag Order' a collaborative single with Françoistunes from the EP Project 'Life In Colour'.
Heralded as a commanding performer, her ability to tell a story takes her audience on a journey of loving oneself and reflection. Here, Thando shares her favourite 'empowerment anthems'.
'I'm Every Woman' by Chaka Khan
The quintessential female anthem of all-time. This song helps me embrace all the things that make me proud to be a woman, and how to harness the power and use it responsibly.
'Money' by Cardi B
This tune is best played out loud when my invoices get paid in the middle of the week! The kind of tune you play after you pay your bills and you have a quaint sum leftover to put away towards that 'treat yourself' day around the corner.
'Formation' by Beyonce
This is the perfect song for days when you're just not feeling good about yourself. It's a great reminder to stay focused on your goals, acknowledge how great you are and to stay gracious in the face of adversity.
'Black Girl Magik' by Sampa the Great
This song reminds me that I am my own definition of beauty. Growing up in the world that adheres to European standards of beauty, being a black girl was incredibly difficult until I decided to embrace my uniqueness as my beauty. This song reminds me that black is beautiful and I will definitely be playing it for my daughter.
'Womanifesto' by Jill Scott
'Womanifesto' is a mantra; a reminder that I am smart and powerful. The dictator of my own destiny, my future. I'm THAT b**ch.
November Nights takes place at Woodville Town Hall (Adelaide) 8-9 November.
