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Mema Wilda is a New Zealand-based folk and rock singer. Her brand of music has been described as folk and psychedelic. She is also a New Zealand Battle of the Bands winner.

Background

Wilda is originally from Samoa. Her birth name is Vaimoana Tumema Sesega. She started out singing at family functions and then later weddings and Sāmoan functions. In 2017, she moved from Samoa to Tāmaki Makaurau. She also spent some time in New York City.

Her brother is Samoan-born rocker, Levi Sesega aka Michael Sesega.

As of late 2023 she was fronting the band Wilda which has been described as having mainly a psychedelic-folk and rock sound.

Career

Mema Wilda performed the song "Pese o le tatau" which was commissioned for the 2018 documentary film Marks of Mana, a film about Pacific female indigenous tattoos. The film which was produced and directed by Lisa Taouma was apparently the first film to cover the subject.

In 2019, Wilda recorded the song "Blue" which was recorded at Black Dog Recording Studio and produced by Mitch French. Her debut single, it was set for release on 15 August that year.

Wilda released the single "How I Long" in 2021. It was reviewed by Ben Reugg of MNZ. Giving it five stars, he noted the emotion in Wilda's vocals and the good production. He said that he could be happy to listen to it over and over. It was also reviewed by Jane Howkins of York Calling. Howkins said that the single was quite poppy and had an incredibly raw and emotional feeling that was missing in a lot of pop music. She also noted the stunning melody.

Wilda was booked to appear at the Tuning Fork, an Auckland venue on 18 June 2021, Wilda was the opening act for the show that was headlined by Sam Bartells and Albi and the Wolves. Accompanied by Sam Stretch who played guitar, cajon and bass on different songs, she went through an acoustic set that was described by Melodic Magazine reviewer Maggie Cocco as "awkward, humorous, and ultimately endearing". The atmospheric and sultry effect of the TC vocal harmonizer was noted. Cocco noted that it was in the early days of Wilda's career and that it was exciting to think where she will go.

On 18 December 2021, Wilda won first prize in the 2021 Battle of the Bands event.

In April 2023, Wilda and her band were booked to open for Larkin Poe at the Powerstation in Auckland. Her single "Going Wild" was also being released. She was also interviewed by Radio New Zealand which was published on 9 April 2023.

In a review of Larkin Poe's performance by Marty Duda of 13th Floor, Duda said that she was more than capable of warming up the crowd and she knew how to take command of the stage. Her powerful vocals and moves were also noted. Wilda performed her song "Going Wild" and "You Want it Darker", a Leonard Cohen composition.

As of September 2023, her band which is called Wilda was made up of herself on guitar and lead vocal, Kento Mori on lead guitar, Shellita Goldsmith on drums, Mitch French on bass and additional vocalist Hariata Makiha.

In August 2024, Wilda and Michael Levin Sesega were part of the "Wilde and Wilda" show that was held at the Uxbridge Arts and Culture venue.

References

1. The Spinoff, September 19, 2022 - The wild ride of Mema Wilda By Sela Jane Hopgood
2. Times.co.nz, August 22, 2024 - New musical platform provides bridge for singer-songwriters
3. Radio Hauraki, 6 September 2023 - Wilda - Going Wild
4. NZ on Screen - Marks of Mana
5. Digital Pasifik - Pese o le tatau
6. MMF Aoteroa, 8 Aug 2019 - Mema Wilda 'Blue'
7. The Spinoff, September 19, 2022 - The wild ride of Mema Wilda By Sela Jane Hopgood
8. MNZ, 21 Jan, 2021 - Mema Wilda - Single Review: How I Long By Ben Reugg
9. York Calling, 26/01/2021 - Reviews, Discovery: Mema Wilda By Jane Howkins
10. Scoop, Monday, 19 April 2021, 4:11 pm - A Celebration Of Alt-Rock And Indie-folk
11. Melodic Magazine, June 26, 2021 - Sam Bartells, Albi and the Wolves, and Mema Wilda in Auckland, NZ By: Maggie Cocco
12. NZ Musician - News, Mema Wilda Wins 2021 Battle Of The Bands
13. RNZ, 9 April 2023 - Music, Mema Wilda: My Latest Track
14. 13th Floor, April 14, 2023 - Larkin Poe – Powerstation: April 13, 2023 - Marty Duda
15. Radio Hauraki, 6 September 2023 - Wilda - Going Wild
16. Times.co.nz, August 31, 2024 - The Bridge: A harmony of music and family

• Samoan musicians
• Samoan guitarists
• Folk singers
• Pop singers
• Women pop singers