Meet the WOMAD x NSS artists

A music program that helps local artists get a leg-up on the WOMAD stage is underway. Here are some of the talented artists taking part.

The WOMAD x Northern Sound System (NSS) Academy is a nine-month professional development program for First Nations and culturally diverse artists aged 18–30. It covers performance, technical production and the business of music such as invoicing and banking.

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The program culminates in a showcase event where artists will perform to an audience of the general public and the WOMADelaide programming team, who will be looking to invite artists to perform at WOMAD’s 2025 festival from 7-10 March.

Meena is a pop/RnB artist, connect with her on Instagram.

CM: What’s your favourite way to consume music and why?
YouTube videos of live performances. There’s something about seeing the artist perform close up, experiencing both the purposely planned and spontaneous unplanned aspects of the performance and the ability to watch the perfect performance over and over. 

CM: What was the first gig you went to?
My first music concert that I remember attending was Rihanna and Chris Brown at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre in 2008, with my mum and my best friend. It was amazing to experience my favourite artists at the time with my loved ones, seeing how vocals, dancing and the clever use of the stage came together in order to execute an exhilarating concert.

CM: If you could describe the atmosphere you want to create at your gigs in just three words, what would they be?
Excitement, joy, togetherness.

CM: What are you most looking forward to about taking part in the WOMAD x NSS Academy?
My favourite thing about being a musician is performing live, so I’m really excited to receive feedback from industry professionals on my stage presence in our development workshops. I know improving my live shows would be so beneficial! I’m also very keen to be working amongst the other four NSS x WOMAD academy artists – we all instantly clicked as soon as we met. Being together on this once-in-a-lifetime journey is something we all cherish. 

CM: What other artists inspire your sound or performance style?
Jorja Smith influences my performance style and Kehlani influences my song writing. Kacy Hill and JOY. influence my music when it comes to using production to enhance a record. 

Sandos or sushi? Sushi
Spotify or Apple Music? Spotify
Coffee or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate

Sandra Gan

Sandra enjoys experimenting with genre and creates music that blends elements of jazz, soul, RnB and hip hip. Connect with her on Instagram.

CM: What’s your favourite way to consume music and why?
My favourite way to consume music is when I’m alone. It’s during these moments that I can fully immerse myself in the song, deeply feeling its emotional impact and reflecting on the lyrics. Additionally, I enjoy attending live performances, where I can experience the energy and connection of the performance, which adds a different dimension beyond just listening to the song alone.

CM: What was the first gig you went to?
I’m not sure if a concert qualifies as a gig, but the first concert I attended was an Ed Sheeran show when I was a teenager. I went because a friend wanted to go, but my overall experience wasn’t ideal. Being only 5 feet tall, we were in the mosh pit, and I mostly saw and smelled people’s armpits. I occasionally caught a glimpse of Ed Sheeran’s face on the big screen. I remember thinking that I might have enjoyed watching the performance on YouTube just as much. It’s a funny memory and partly why I’m not a huge fan of concerts, I guess I’d much rather be the one performing.

CM: If you could describe the atmosphere you want to create at your gigs in just three words, what would they be?
Euphoric, love, inspiring 

CM: What are you most looking forward to about taking part in the WOMAD x NSS Academy?
Honestly, what I’m most looking forward to about taking part in the WOMAD x NSS Academy is the support from the community. Building a network that appreciates and supports my art is incredibly valuable to me. I used to worry that my music might be too different or unconventional, but being part of a community that understands and values my work reassures me that it’s safe to be creative and embrace my uniqueness. It’s something I feel really grateful for.

CM: What other artists inspire your sound or performance style?
Growing up in a multicultural environment as a child, I listened to a lot of music that my parents and grandparents enjoyed, including classic Chinese songs with unique tonal qualities and cultural influences. Moving to Australia at the age of 10 introduced me to Western music, which broadened my musical perspective. This blend of experiences has allowed me to appreciate and integrate various musical elements into my own work.

Some Western artists who inspired me as a young kid include Adele, Lady Gaga, and Eminem. In recent years, I’ve discovered amazing local musicians who resonate deeply with me, such as Hiatus Kaiyote. Additionally, watching performers like Aurora and Bob Marley on stage has given me goosebumps. Their stage presence and the deeper, greater reasons behind their music and performances are truly inspiring and motivate me to bring that same depth and connection to my own work.

Sandos or sushi? Sushiii, all the way
Spotify or Apple Music? Spotify, just better user experience.
Coffee or Hot Chocolate? Neither, Tea please.

Shukurani

Shukurani is an Afrobeats/acoustic/soul artist. Connect with her on Instagram.

CM: What’s your favourite way to consume music and why?
My favourite way of consuming music is live because the atmosphere that it creates is magical. It hits completely different. You can really hear the authenticity and rawness of the music.

CM: What was the first gig you went to?
The first gig that I went to was a Soylent Green gig at the Jade. It was also my first-ever jazz gig. Even though it was a performance, it felt like the performers were enjoying themselves. The performers created a safe environment for the audience by the way they interacted. Seeing so much talent really inspired me.

CM: If you could describe the atmosphere you want to create at your gigs in just three words, what would they be?
If I could use three words to describe the atmosphere that I want to create at my gigs, they would be therapeutic, authentic and experience.

CM: What are you most looking forward to about taking part in the WOMAD x NSS Academy?
As an individual and also as an artist, I am always looking to grow and become better than I was yesterday. I believe that the WOMAD x NSS Academy will provide that opportunity for me to be able to do that.

CM: What other artists inspire your sound or performance style?
Lauryn Hill, Tems, FAVE, Gyakie and Simi are artists that inspire my sound. I’m sure there is more but these are the names that came in my head this time.

Vinyls or CDs? Vinyls
Spotify or Apple Music? Apple Music
Coffee or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate