The Australian music scene is no stranger to Thndo (fka Thando).
The widely loved Zimbabwean-born ‘First Lady of Soul and R&B’ has commanded massive crowds at festivals such as Bluesfest, WOMAdelaide, Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Groovin the Moo, BigSound, Jungle Love, Woodford Folk Festival and more. Her sold out shows at Chapel Off Chapel have stunned audiences to a point of standing ovation; rave reviews following in their wake. Every performance is a statement – a triumph of powerful lyricism, rich-ranged vocals and smooth backing instrumentation – turning onward the wheel of live music, show by show.
With the release of her latest EP Life in Colour (2021), the wheel is about to turn again.
This second EP marks both a new chapter of immersive song writing, with high demand shows following. Life in Colour touches on thndo’s experiences of growing up black in Australia. Struggles with displacement, discrimination and a deeper understanding of black pride are interwoven with R&B, Hip Hop and Afrobeat’s elements to continue the narrative of her smash hit single Numb.
“That’s where I first explored what it feels like to force myself to assimilate,” says thndo. “The consequence of being a palatable black person accepted by white Australia is losing every part of what made me special. This EP was an attempt to get that back. learning from others like me and learning how to be proud to be different.”
“Her persona on stage was radiating with soul and richness”
