Get set to get sweaty _{by Madelaine Empson}

Described as “something altogether different and new” (The Music), New Zealand singer-songwriter Wallace nimbly stitches threads of soul, hip-hop, pop, and jazz into her own tapestry of trademark sound, spinning harmonic stardust to connect constellations of genres and influences. With honeydew vocals and an electrifying stage presence that prompted one Indie Shuffle to say she “sings from deep within her gut, without the excessive vocal-chord theatrics of Beyoncé, and just as good”, Wallace’s magnetic talents have attracted listeners and collaborators the world over.

Playing international support for the likes of Rag‘n’Bone Man and Macklemore, working with Dutch legends Kraak & Smaak and Australian hip-hop staples Thundamentals, laying vocals over beats by Adventures of Godriguez, and working closely with the GRAMMY®-nominated Simon Cohen (producer of Justin Bieber’s global number one Love Yourself), Wallace has a lot of career highpoints to choose from. 

“Touring Australia with Jordan Rakei was definitely a highlight”, she tells me. “I’ve done a lot of exciting support slots but this one just hit differently, his audience really embraced me. I also got to do some wild festival slots with Sampa The Great when I was living in Sydney. Having that many people dancing and singing along is truly surreal.”

While she’s loved working with producers and beatmakers on the majority of her releases to date, Wallace says she’s really excited to be writing with her band on the next project.

“It’s going to be more of a live sound that leans into my jazz and soul background.”

That live sound – and indeed, that monster band of Dan Hayles, Johnny Lawrence, and Cory Champion – will go off when Wallace plays The Rogue and Vagabond on the 2^nd of February – her first gig of 2024. Audiences can look forward to some classic Wally bops, freshly written tracks, and 90s house favs.

“Make sure you get down early to see Louis TM, then get a good spot down the front for the dance party, it’s gonna get sweaty.”