'Miriam Makeba used to rehearse at my grandparents house' - Mikaela Fay

Sara-Jayne Makwala King is joined by singer-songwriter, Mikaela Fay.

Her brand new album is titled 'Travelling Heart' and it's particularly apt for one who has spent much of her life on the move.

Singer-songwriter and creative Mikaela Fay is back in South Africa to promote the record and says it's good to be home.

Fay, who was born in the Mother City to an entrepreneurial mother and an activist father, moved to London at the young age of 15 where she lived for 13 years. 

Since then, hers has been something of a nomadic lifestyle, moving between Johannesburg , Cape Town and London and touring the UK and South Africa. 

On her love for music, Fay says "expressing myself in my own authentic way through music is the way I breathe”.

On how she identifies...

"I identify as a Black woman, because there is no other bracket for myself in the UK. There is no other racial box...sometimes there's confusion...My dad is South African-Indian, my mom is Namibian-South African, and so I'm mixed Masala essentially."

Mikaela Fay, Singer

Where is home?

"I finished my studies in the UK, but this [Cape Town] is home."

Musical influences?

" I came from a very strict jazz and blues household. My Dad and my grandad were very instrumental in making sure that's all I listened to!"

Mikaela Fay, Singer

"My dad is from PMB and during the struggle Miriam Makeba used to come to my grandparents house and she used to rehearse there."

Mikaela Fay, Singer

Any regrets turning down a record deal?

"I don't because I wasn't making my own music and they wanted to mould me into what was then a Janet Jackson and a Solange and I would have been a sex symbol."

Mikaela Fay, Singer

Thoughts on SA Amapiano-pop princess Tyla?

"She's in her own lane, she's doing her own thing, I'm impartial, that's all I will say...she started off very strong...she is representing quite strong...[but] evolving as an artist , what is your next step gonna be?"

Mikaela Fay, Singer

Fans of Fay's jazz-infused melodies can catch the singer peforming at Harringtons in Harrington Street on Thursday 18 April. 

The album 'Travelling Heart' is available to download on all streaming platforms.