Ngaiire on Casting Spells, Mariah Carey, and Her Three New Albums

In a recent conversation with frankie magazine, Ngaiire, the Papua New Guinean-Australian singer-songwriter, shared insights into her musical inspirations, creative workflow, and future endeavors. She is currently engaged in the simultaneous production of three albums: an avant-garde electro collaboration with Paul Mac and Paul Grabowsky, a project influenced by Neil Young with Melbourne producer Geography, and the album featuring her new single "Afar." This track represents a significant collaboration with her band, marking their first songwriting experience together despite their long-standing relationship. Ngaiire elaborated on her performance approach, which involves invoking the essence of a song as if it were a fresh experience. She revealed that Mariah Carey’s MTV Unplugged cassette was a crucial influence during her challenging childhood, which included her parents' separation and a volcanic eruption that devastated her hometown. Scheduled to perform at BIGSOUND in September, she aims to assemble a team to enhance her international reach. Her performance rider requests healthy snacks and ingredients for Manhattans, and she expressed interest in touring alongside James Blake. The discussion also covered her strategies for overcoming creative blocks, such as taking walks, and her preferred listening environment: on a train in a foreign country while nursing a broken heart.