On the eve of her (recent) North American tour, Ngaiire is anticipating a warm reception to her third studio album '3' – despite the songs having been out in the world since 2021.
Given that stretch of time for fans to become accustomed to her latest sound, in terms of any change to self-interpretation and her delivery of said songs, the Papua New Guinea-born R&B/ soul artist says she largely wants to get out of her own head. "I've played the songs so many times now, but to refocus myself on the fact that most of the people we'll be playing to [here in the US] probably haven't seen the songs live. There's a real beauty and excitement to that."
After writing and releasing the album at a certain point of time, it's become a whole different ball game to address in a live setting the themes and tones of those songs.
"The only thing that would probably change is probably giving more of a backstory," Ngaiire says. "A lot of these people don't really know how these songs came about; it might be their first time seeing us live."
From where she's talking for this interview (in the US state of Montana), Ngaiire uses the local Native American population by way of an example of the Indigenous connection she is excited to explore with fans.
"I feel like I get to lean more into that because they'll be in the audience, whereas performing this kind of stuff to an Australian audience, the majority of my audience there will be white.
"Whereas here, I'd be playing to a lot more of a diverse crowd, so it gives me the chance to talk about the spirituality on the album, how ancestors follow you on your journey – I can really delve into with specific audiences on this tour.
"I'm excited about doing that and seeing how I can continue the relationships that were created here between us and the indigenous people of America."
Owing to the depth and passion with which Ngaiire discusses spiritual elements shared in her music and the communities she experiences, you might feel a sense of spirituality washing over you, a strange yet powerful sensation.
That powerful perception she has of her music is what Ngaiire hopes to relay when performing. "I didn't expect to delve deep into community here," she says, "but there's a real hunger to be connected across the seas, [with] us as Indigenous people.
"I was in a bar the other night here in Billings, Montana. A Native American man, part of the Crow Nation, walked up to me after finding out from my backing vocalist that I was in town performing and an Indigenous Papua New Guinean.
"He walked over, gave me the biggest hug and says 'Ahóoh' [thank you] for coming to see us, no one comes to see us. He took off his ring and said 'This was my grandfather's. This is yours now.'"
Completely taken aback, Ngaiire initially told the man she couldn't accept the ring. "[Me] as an Indigenous person, he explained to me it would be disrespectful not to accept his gift.
"So now I have this onyx ring he gave me that his grandfather used to wear, that's been completely worn down over time, as thanks for me bringing my culture over to an area, that you know some people overlook and forget about."
An incredible story – and that spirit of community appears not just to whom Ngaiire is performing, but with whom she performs, like those she's billed alongside at the forthcoming Open Season event in Brisbane.
In recent years, Ngaiire has collaborated on many singles with a plethora of artists. Her experience with her peers does, to an extent, shape her perception and her own approach to her music.
"There are many layers to it; it's wild you get to see yourself through someone else's eyes because for a person to reach out wanting to collaborate with you, it comes from a place of admiration, and that it comes from a peer. It's always really nice to be given that experience and vote of approval."
For Open Season, there'll certainly be an opportunity for Ngaiire to exchange culture and community when she takes to the stage to perform alongside Queensland Symphony Orchestra. "It's crazy," she says. "I feel like I'm in a dream almost.
"It's pushing me to be more comfortable sharing my ideas within a group setting. It's something I've not always been good at but had to be in the last couple of years.
"It further strengthens your community – essentially, we all hold each other at times, so it's about creating community but creating things we can both be proud of."
Ngaiire plays Storyland Music Festival (Coffs Harbour) 20 May joining Hiatus Kaiyote, Genesis Owusu, Electric Fields, Emma Donovan and others. Ngaiire with Queensland Symphony Orchestra plays Princess Theatre (Brisbane) 4 August.
