“Everything we do, as human beings or musicians, is part of a bigger purpose,” says Nattali Rize, an Australian singer-songwriter who is about to release her solo debut, New Era Frequency, on August 7. “[Music] is about being part of a movement, shifting perception and helping to amplify pathways to higher consciousness. It’s about … reclaiming our power as a People to make our own decisions, think freely, live freely and grow and learn without limitation.”

It makes sense that such a statement came from a citizen of the world. Born in San Diego and raised in Australia, Rize is of Native American and Samoan descent. She followed her calling as a percussionist and street musician before co-founding popular Australian roots/reggae band Blue King Brown. In the band, Rize toured and opened for Santana, Damian Marley, UB40, Dispatch and The John Butler Trio. This experience inspired her to go to Jamaica and follow the music.

“[New Era Frequency] is a combination of all the global influence and experience I’ve had with music,” Rize said. Written in and recorded in Kingston, she pursued themes of global consciousness and empowerment in a collaboration with drum’n’bass duo Notis. She talks to Myspace about her mom’s considerable musical influence, touring with Michael Franti, and getting a bra thrown at her onstage.

Where is your hometown?

My hometown is the Universe.

Where do you live now?

I live where I stand. I honestly don’t really feel a home in any one particular place or city, rather I feel home where my music is and where I am amongst good people. I am a touring artist and I was made for it; I tour because I love it, and I love it because it is my mission to deliver conscious music to my people all around the world. 

Before you were in Blue King Brown, you were a street performer and percussionist. When did you realize you wanted to sing and perform for others?

It would have been soon after I started playing the guitar, my first instrument. It was love at first strum…my mother was my first guitar teacher.

What got you into reggae?

My mother listened to so many great artists when I was growing up, I had it all. All the greats from Janis Joplin to Santana to Aretha Franklin and of course to Bob Marley, Judy Mowat, Jimmy Cliff and Peter Tosh. Childhood is where I became a reggae fan.

Notis, your collaborators on your debut, are from Jamaica. How did you meet and end up releasing an album together?

I met Unga Barunga, half of the production duo Notis, while he was on tour in Australia drumming for Jimmy Cliff. I had most of the band over to my place to share a meal and just hold a vibes. We ended up writing and recording our song called “Rebel Love” that very night. The next day I thought to myself how rare it is to be able to just meet some musicians from the other side of the world and instantly start creating music, not just music but music with a sound that neither of us had created before. And so it was that we decided to further investigate this connection and collaborate some more.

Why is your album with called New Era Frequency? What's the story behind the title?

A New Era is what we are shifting toward as a people, as a race, as a planet. And frequency is what everything in this world is made of. If you break down a particle it goes all the way down to a vibration, so everything is sound, has a frequency that it resonates at. That is one of the many reasons music is so powerful and able to bring people together, to resonate together. That creates an energy that has an impact on our lives; not everything we can see but we have the ability to perceive these things and feel them. So the name “New Era Frequency” comes in part from that and also from the direction we want to shift awareness towards, to remind ourselves and one another that another world is possible and it is only through becoming in tune with our higher selves can we see the true nature of the oppressive system are slaves to and start to break free to create a New Reality. 

Do you believe that geography and roots affect your music? How did recording in Jamaica affect your creative process?

I feel like my music is inspired largely by my studies into conscious culture, ascension and galactic awareness as well as by places, people and countries. And yes, definitely I feel like there is roots music written in my DNA with music being a strong element of much of my cultural heritage. I also just love Jamaica, its music, its people, its undeniable roots culture and it’s rising stars who inspire coming generations of not just reggae music fans but also conscious music fans.

Your music is uplifting and political. How important is it to you that the message is as beautiful as the medium?

It is EVERYTHING to me. I don’t just get on stage to perform songs and sing along, it is important to be more than that. There are messages in all of my music and all in my team and who work with me are aware and on that mission with me. They know I am here to help shift consciousness and to play and perform music that has an impact on peoples minds as well as create a vibration and vibe that people can dance to, to enjoy fully on multiple levels.

You just wrapped up a tour with Michael Franti and Spearhead. Was that exciting?

Of course! I have been a fan and a friend of Michael’s for many years now—he has always been supportive of me, firstly as a percussionist and later as a singer and bandleader. I have toured with Michael in Australia and the United States before with my band Blue King Brown, and each and every time it is a joy and an inspiration. No one I have ever seen has had such a noticeable instant and upfull impact on their audience as Michael Franti & Spearhead do. They continue to shine their light so bright at every show and every town they perform at. Love em!

 Who are your musical heroes?

Bob Marley, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Santana and then Fela Kuti, Ernest Ranglin, the Marley sons, and plenty of world and traditional music.

What's one thing about yourself that you want everyone to know?

Its not so much that there’s something about myself that I want everyone to know, but more that we all need to do more to really know ourselves! Less selfies, more self-awareness. To know how powerful we are as both individuals and as a piece of the whole that is us all. We are multidimensional beings in a cosmic environment with more ability, power and light than we’ve ever been led to believe. We also have the ability to create new systems and paradigms that support Life, Equality and Freedom… and with my music and my words, I’m on a mission to help people remember that.

What's the craziest thing a fan has ever done for you?

I’ve had a bra thrown at me, a “Will You Marry Me Nattali” sign with a phone number, and a giant cookie with my band’s name on it. All pretty cute stuff, except the bra. I mean that’s common place for a rock gig but keep in mind my music is conscious reggae, world-beat styles, so a bra was random but appreciated the gesture all the same.