‘Remove yourself from the hustle’: why Ngaiire goes bush to get inspired
How the godmother of Australian R&B uses off-grid nature to get her groove back
Ngaiire is one of Australia’s preeminent performers and musicians. With over a decade in the spotlight, she’s recently sold out orchestra shows across the country, performed at the AFL Grand Final and been nominated for ARIA and AIR awards. Ngaiire is also an Unyoked alumnus; having been to our cabins many times to write, she also contributed a stunning track to our Field Recordings II collection which you can listen to here.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m a lover of a good country bakery, homemade negronis, songs that make me cry, my son’s dimples, dancing with my eyes closed, aha moments, raw fish, wearing your favourite pants all week, piano jams with friends, the smell of a crackly fire, giggling and people who know who they are.
What made you fall in love with music?
It’s ability to keep me human!
Growing up, who were your influencers?
It varies, but if I had to nail it down ... .Snow White, Mariah Carey, Sarah Vaghan, Jeff Buckley, listening to my family sing in church, Swan Lake and Bob Marley.
You're currently writing an album and you recently performed with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, at the Sydney Opera House no less. How's this experience been for you?
Initially it was incredibly daunting moving into that arena feeling like we really had to bring our A-Game and not look like imbeciles in front of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. I think it’s made us better artists and hopefully we’ve had some of the orchestra’s sheen rub off on us. It’s a wild experience. I’ve had the honour of collaborating with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in Victoria and the Queensland Symphony Orchestra in Queensland, and each time is just as unique and special.
What do you find as the biggest challenge when preparing for big projects like this one?
I think staying in optimal vocal health leading up to a show. I try to work out so I’m energised and my mental health can’t get in the way of my focus. Trying to be super well rested is also important though it can be challenging when you’re a mum.
Playing with an orchestra to thousands of people, you can’t slip up and fudge your way through a mistake in the same way you would playing at a club with your band. You mess up and there’s a whole cruise ship of players that will come crashing down with you.
Do you have any rituals, or practices to help you get into a creative space?
Meditation! That can be anything from sitting on my studio floor immersed in some binaural world, taking a walk on the beach, praying or getting the blood pumping at the gym. Also eating food that won’t drag you into a slump usually is the catalyst to how long I’m able to focus in the studio.
You recently went out to our cabin, Sadie, in Illawarra. It’s not your first rodeo, either. Do you find being out in nature helps you as a musician?
Always. The act of removing oneself from the hustle of everyday life is imperative to me. I find it super stressful trying to write in Sydney, constantly ripping yourself out of the creative flow to be present at home can be debilitating to the process. What Unyoked offers has saved me on many accounts! I honestly cannot speak highly enough of how these cabins have kept me on track or even changed the trajectory of my life.
You've stayed at Unyoked a few times now, what keeps you coming back?
It’s become a necessity. As both my son and my career grow, the need for balance and clarity increase. And Unyoked honestly makes it so easy for you to do that. I think the most challenging part of doing it though is probably realising that you need to get away and getting yourself out the door.
You went to Sadie solo. Did you have any concerns about getting out there on your own?
The walk to Sadie is stunning though I’ve made this mistake twice of getting to a cabin at night time. When you’ve had a big week you want to just get to the place and you don’t do yourself any favours by getting in late and trying to find your way to a cabin in the dark with your luggage! So get out of work early is my tip!
How did the experience compare to those initial thoughts and fears?
I tell everyone that they should do it solo. Life is so busy for a lot of us and people I’ve encouraged to do it, are often terrified of how they’ll go in the silence. I’m an introvert so it’s not as problematic removing myself from the city craziness but I’m increasingly becoming aware of how we’ve all forgotten how to sit still and be with ourselves.
When you're away isolated in nature, making friends with your demons can become more apparent. I’ve found for myself that sometimes these cabins are the best places to just go and cry–in a good way. You don’t have to know all the answers but the singular act of falling apart can sometimes be what you need to start the process of resetting.
Going off-grid solo can be intimidating for some. Do you have any tips or advice for those thinking of giving it a go?
As I said, just do it. It’s a bit like getting a tattoo. You’ll feel things but you’ll want to keep doing it because of the quality of life you come away with after every visit.
What's next for you, Ngaiire?
It’s a big transitional time at the moment. I’m packing up my house in Sydney and heading to the French Alps to finish writing my album which is exciting! And then post that we’re taking our family completely off grid (bar our iPhones) and moving to my village in Papua New Guinea (PNG).
I’ve realised going back to basics is more important to us as my life gets bigger. I’ve also started building my music school up in the PNG Highlands so I’m hoping I can start channelling my energies into helping the next generation develop their skills and get places beyond the Pacific. So there’s a lot happening!
