Aaradhna connects with fans through song

SOUL DIVA: Aaradhna was the name on everybody's lips after her hugely successful album Treble & Reverb was released to worldwide acclaim in 2012.

Turning struggles into moving song lyrics gave Aaradhna Patel the push she needed to propel her career to a new level.

All eyes have been on the exotic soul diva since her album Treble & Reverb was released in 2012.

She puts the international success of hit singles such as You Don't Love me Anymore and Wake Up, down to relatability.

Many of the tracks have underlying themes of depression and love lost, something she found easier to express through music than in everyday conversation.

"I feel like [people] are connecting more with the experience. I know that depression is pretty common, I guess they can connect with that, I talk a lot about it on the album," she said in an earlier interview.

"I have my days where I feel like I can talk forever ... then I have my days where it's like I still have to get used to it ... I know about what I'm singing about it so that does make it easier."

Last year off the back of overwhelmingly positive hype around Treble & Reverb, she travelled to America for a tour promoting the offering to a growing overseas fanbase.

"I knew that was a part of it, I had to go over there and push the music out, that's always been the plan ... ever since I was young I have always wanted to put music out everywhere, the US was one of the main places because I was brought up on the stuff that came out of there."

The polished, sophisticated album was born from soul and doo-wop demos recorded at home with the help of her brothers. It's also a shining example of how far Patel has come and pays testament to her ability to morph from one genre to the next.

As well as receiving airplay on radio stations throughout the world, she was signed by American label Republic Records, which counts Gotye, Nicki Minaj, Jessie J and the late Amy Winehouse, among its clientele.

"I have gotten the same kind of response from people over in the States ... they can relate to what I'm singing about."

In a custom Zambezi dress the shy songstress took to the stage to collect three Tui's at the 2013 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards, including Album of the Year.

Her haul was second only to pop sensation, Lorde, who took out four trophies.

Aaradhna's soulful R&B sound made its debut on Adeaze's No1 single, Getting Stronger, when she was in her early 20s and led to further collaborations with New Zealand hip-hop royalty David Dallas, Savage and Che Fu.

A debut solo album hit shelves in 2006, reaching No13 in New Zealand charts with Down Time among the most notable singles.

Aaradhna will perform with a live band at The Sideline Bar in Onekawa from 9pm on Saturday. Pre-sale tickets are $25 from the venue or Big Noise Audio in Hastings. VIP tickets are $ 45 inc VIP area with an allocated bartender, meet and greet with Aaradhna and a souvenir lanyard.