Aaradhna's taking to the road this summer with three of New Zealand's finest bands on the back of her critically acclaimed album. Photo/Supplied
Aaradhna's taking to the road this summer with three of New Zealand's finest bands on the back of her critically acclaimed album. Photo/Supplied
KEY POINTS:
Aaradhna, Katchafire, Kora, Sons of Zion head on tour
Four of the country's favourite sons and daughters take to the stage this summer in a sun-drenched, island-spanning tour.
Local legends of reggae and soul, Aaradhna, Katchafire, Kora and Sons of Zion set off on a nine-date stop throughout the North Island beginning on Boxing Day in Mangawhai.
It's been a busy year for the 33-year-old Aaradhna. Her fourth album, Brown Girl, was released earlier this year to critical acclaim, debuting at number one on the New Zealand music charts and spending 18 consecutive weeks in the top 20.
It's an instrumentally lush album which gives centre stage to Aaradhna's powerful, soulful voice. She makes a strong statement on racial stereotypes, and explores love and loss after the break up of a relationship.
Mainly recorded in Los Angeles and New York in 2014 and 2015, the album won Aaradhna two awards at the NZ Music Awards this year, including Best Female Solo Artist. Upon receiving her second - for Best Urban/Hip-Hop album - she made headlines for turning down the award.
"It feels like I've been placed in a category of brown people," she said on stage, before declining the award and giving it to Onehunga hip-hop crew SWIDT, who were also nominated.
"Brown Girl speaks on racism and being placed in a box... If I was to accept this, I'm not being truthful in my song."
It's a statement she may not have made so publicly two, or five, or 12 years ago, when she first came on New Zealand music's radar, singing on Adeaze's number one song Getting Stronger.
Now a New Zealand music veteran, Aaradhna - who is of mixed Samoan and Indian heritage, and was born and raised in Porirua - says developing pride in her biracial background was a process, but a badge she now proudly wears on her sleeve.
"When I was younger I always felt like I didn't fit in, like I'm not Samoan enough or not Indian enough... To this day I still get that feeling from others, but I really know who I am and where I come from and that doesn't really bother me anymore."
With much of the album written and recorded after she broke up with her partner, basketballer Leon Henry - who she is now engaged to - Aaradhna says hearing and performing those songs is emotional time-travel.
"It takes me right back to the place where I wrote those songs. I wrote Empty Hall in my old apartment in LA, when I was taking down most of his stuff," she laughs.
"Every song brings me back to the point when I wrote the song. It's a diary - it's an experience, and I experienced it, and all over again when I sing it."
After performing a lot in the US and Australia over the last year, Aaradhna says she's glad to be back in the country for the summer.
"Home is a better creative space for me. It's a place where I feel most comfortable. It's inspiring to go to all these other places, but home does it for me. I'm grateful to go overseas and see all these different place - it gives me a good story, but I find my material at home."
She's touring with some of the country's top musicians in her band (Jeremy Toy & Chip Matthews from the Opensouls and The Tornadoes, and Tom Broome from Homebrew and Esther Stephens and The Means) and three of the country's most well respected and internationally recognised bands, in Katchafire, Kora and Sons of Zion.
