Elsy Wameyo is living in a moment when the weight of two worlds is coming down on her acutely.
Right now, she’s in Nairobi, Kenya – the first of those worlds – visiting family and reconnecting with her roots. The sun is shining, birds are chirping, and you can tell she feels at home here, even as the clock ticks toward her return to her other life in Adelaide.
“It’s been good,” she says of the trip, a smile in her voice, “really refreshing. We had a family reunion, but now I’m heading back to work.”
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With that, the moment of calm slips away, replaced by the knowledge that her journey is never truly static. She’s soon to shift back into a life that’s worlds apart from this lively, bustling city where time doesn’t seem to stand still. In contrast, her hometown of Adelaide, she says, couldn’t feel more different.
“Adelaide is very conservative, small-town vibes,” she reflects. “People there can be narrow-minded. Nairobi, on the other hand, is like Melbourne on steroids. They call it the New York of Africa. It’s a non-stop hustle. People work 24/7. No one ever stops.”
It’s a contrast that she’s had to navigate ever since migrating to Australia at the age of seven. For most of her life, she’s lived between two identities, unsure of where she truly belongs.
“My journey of living between two worlds was tough,” she admits, her voice softening, “especially as a child, having to grow and adapt at the same time. My music is a healing process for me. I use it to fill certain voids. I struggle with identity. I don’t know where I belong. I’m not Australian, not Kenyan. I’m floating in the middle. Music is my bridge between the two.”
That bridge began to take shape, one word at a time, back when she was in high school. Wameyo fell in love with the art of storytelling, captivated by the power of language.
“I was drawn to alliterations and metaphors,” she says. “Every week we’d write stories and I realised I loved that. I loved reading. I love how the Bible is written – how you can find deeper meanings within the sentences. It’s not just straightforward.”
But music, for all its power, didn’t come into focus for Wameyo until later. She grew up in a family where music wasn’t at the centre of the table. She was the “black sheep” in that sense, although she found her spark through her family, acknowledging a latent creativity that ran in her blood.
“All my mum’s sisters are singers,” she says, “but they don’t release music. Spending time with them made me realise it’s not completely foreign. Our family is creative. I have a cousin who’s a poet. I didn’t fall too far from the tree.”
What sets Wameyo apart from many of her Kenyan peers is the unwavering support she received from her parents. They gave her the freedom to pursue her musical passion – a rarity that she doesn’t take for granted.
“I give thanks to God for my parents,” she says. “A lot of African parents don’t allow their children to pursue music. It’s all about becoming a doctor, lawyer or engineer. My parents couldn’t be more different. My dad is my biggest supporter.”
Wameyo found another home in the Adelaide music scene. Growing up north of the city, she discovered Northern Sound System, a local studio that became her creative base. “That’s where I started making music,” she says. “The doors have always been open there. The community has always been so loving.”
From there, it wasn’t long before Wameyo’s music began to catch attention. Triple J picked up on her sound and she quickly made a name for herself, performing at some of the country’s biggest festivals, including Laneway and Groove in the Moo. Yet, despite the success, performing never felt like a stretch for her.
“I was always a natural performer,” she says with a laugh. “I’ve never been camera-shy. I’m loud, outspoken. I think that helps when you’re in front of people. My ability to feel deeply makes it easy for me to be free on stage. It just comes naturally.”
As 2025 approaches, Wameyo feels a sense of calm wash over her. This year, she plans to slow down – an intentional break from the frenetic pace of the previous year’s Saint Sinner tour.
“Last year was exhausting,” she admits. “This year, I said I didn’t want to perform as much. We’ll pop up at festivals and say hello, but I’m trying to take it easier. I’m focusing on re-centring myself. Just breathing.”
One of the highlights of the year, though, is sure to be her performance at the Brunswick Music Festival, a double-header alongside Miss Kaninna on the scenic Gilpin Park outdoor stage. For this show, she will be accompanied by a Kenyan band, bringing her two worlds together on one stage.
“It’s going to be the two worlds coming together,” she says. “Playing at these elite festivals feels like a monumental moment for me. It’s a reflection of who I am and what my music represents. I’m excited to be part of it.”
To see Elsy Wameyo and Miss Kaninna at Brunswick Music Festival on March 7, head here.
