Quick Facts
Biography
Thando Sikwila (born Thandolwethu Emily Nomvula Sikwila) is an Australian singer, songwriter and actor based in Melbourne. She's most notable for her appearance on The Voice Australia Season 3, and for playing Effie White in Australia's first professional production of Dreamgirls presented by StageArt. She lists her vocal influences as Jill Scott, Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan and Ngaiire.
In 2016, released her debut EP Digital Love Letters, and went onto win the Solo Vocalist of the Year awarded by Afro Australian Movie and Music Awards. She supported Maxwell on his black Summer's Night tour show in Melbourne, Australia. In 2017, she was the opening act for REMI and Sampa The Great's Fire Sign Tour.
Biography
Zimbabwean born and Melbourne based singer-songwriter Thando has been gracing stages around Melbourne with an electric presence and powerhouse vocal. Her critically acclaimed live shows have been the back bone of her career thus far, with her onstage persona the driving force of the live experience. Drawing inspiration from Jill Scott, her ability to tell a story takes her audiences on a personal journey of loving oneself and reflection.
The release of her much anticipated debut EP 'Digital Love Letters' paved the way for a showcase set at BIGSOUND in 2016 and festival appearances at Strawberry Fields and St Kilda Festival.
She has spent the last 5 years crafting her signature sound from influences such as Angie Stone, Solange and Frank Ocean; incorporating electronica to R&B and Soul music. Songs from her EP have gone on to radio play on national broadcaster triple J and Double J radio.
Thando’s strengths lie in her ability to adapt to different stage environments, and she is also a critically acclaimed actress. Working with Melbourne-based theatre company StageArt, she made her stage debut as Effie White in the Australasian premier of Dreamgirls in 2015, and again played the coveted role of Shug Avery in their sold out season of The Color Purple. She will also star in the much anticipated debut of Bowie and Mercury Rising; a new musical showing at Chapel off Chapel with reimagined works by David Bowie and Freddie Mercury.
The songstress has gone onto support Maxwell at the Palais for his black SUMMER nights tour and REMI and Sampa the Great’s Fire Sign Tour alongside DJ MzRizk.
2017 welcomed the Melbourne singer with sold out shows around Melbourne at prestigious venues Chapel off Chapel and Paris Cat Jazz Club, and feature performances as part of Stonnuington Jazz Festival.
This multi dimensional performer is looking toward solidifying her status as Melbourne’s newest first lady of R&B.
Early life
Thando was born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe on 9 April 1993 to parents Nokuthula and Victor Sikwila. She has 2 older sisters, and one younger sister. Her family migrated to Australia in 2001 and resided in Canberra for 10 years. She went to Canberra High School, and finished year 12 at University of Canberra Senior Secondary College Lake Ginninderra. Thando is bilingual being able to speak Ndebele. At 17, Thando moved to Melbourne on her own to pursue a career in music.
Thando studied music at JMC Academy in 2011 and graduated with a Diploma in Popular Music and Performance.
She joined Melbourne Dub/Reggae band Echo Drama in 2012 as their frontwoman alongside Melbourne Rapper Sinks. She left the band in 2015 to focus on her solo project, and returned in 2017.
Discography
The following also contains all Thando's collaborations and features.
Extended plays
- Bury The Weapon (December 2013, independent)
- Remix the Weapons (November 2014, independent)
- Digital Love Letters (June 2016, independent)
Singles
- "Inferno" (2013, independent)
- "Won't You Be Mine" (2014, independent)
- "Trouble" (2016, independent)
- "Something" (2016, independent)
- "The Antidote" (feature on Sinks' single, 2017, independent)