Empowering women

It’s taken popular songstress Nessa Morgan three years to release her baby NesKa. The new album, which shares its name with her newborn, takes a different direction from her previous record.

She was scheduled to support Salt -˜n’ Pepa, whose Australian tour was canned at the last moment, and will appear at the Vanguard for several intimate shows next year.

Morgan is a sultry R&B soul performer with hip hop beats -” she shares a sound with Alicia Keys and Deni Hines (in her early days).

With the ballsy motto, Keeping it real, work hard and party harder, NesKa is going to be one noteworthy album.

My last album, Sex & Poverty, was about struggling and hard time. With this album I wanted more of an upbeat feel and positive approach -” it’ll empower women, she said.

I want the listener to feel relaxed, sit back, grab a glass and enjoy the journey. Relationships, love and having complete creative rein over my project really helped inspire NesKa.

I wanted to turn the tables on the traditional male-dominated booty call song. I have a number of songs featuring girlfriend power, like Hot & Sexy and Holla. I also wanted to say that beauty comes from within.

It’s okay to admit you’re human. Sometimes we love the people who are no good for us. If you’ve been there, you’ll feel my music. I’m singing to the people who’ve been through what I’ve been through.

Morgan rose to fame in her pursuit to establish herself as a songwriter but it was her outstanding vocal ability and her support on Alicia Keys tours which secured her position as one of Australia’s best
female acts.

Her music has touched many women as her lyrics tackle issues that many artists will not touch. Morgan spoke of a woman who had been a victim of domestic violence.

She goes to me, -˜I’ve listened to your songs and you’ve made me believe in me and feel that I was worth something’, she said.

No one can express my life better than me. It’s important that I write my songs. It’s a woman’s world and my album reflects that.

I’m bossy, I’m loud, I’m not shy, I’ve got a lot of attitude, I’m opinionated, I’m emotional and I’m a drama queen.

Performing is my escape and I really enjoy it -¦ I feel really comfortable on stage, she said.

You’ll get to hear songs from my debut album, Sex & Poverty, songs from the NesKa album and my upcoming writing sessions album -” songs that tell the story of my life set to a smoking band.

info: Nessa Morgan is at the Vanguard on Tuesday 6, 13, 20 and 27 January. Tickets are selling fast. Go to www.nessamorgan.com.