Nexus Arts is proud to announce its three part 2025 Interplay performance series for this November, showcasing some of Adelaide’s most exciting artists.
Nexus Arts’s Interplay program provides music development for contemporary musicians from culturally diverse and First Nations backgrounds to develop their practice, networks, and community. It provides a dedicated space for artists to develop, share and connect, bringing contemporary musicians together in the spirit of intercultural communication, exploration and creation.
The 2025 Interplay program features six gifted musicians performing contemporary original music:
The series launches on Saturday, 15 November, with performances from Nahlla and LENI.
Representing Australia’s growing Latino migrant community, Colombian-Australian singer-songwriter Nahlla crafts heartfelt songs that celebrate resilience, hope, and connection. Recently named one of two inaugural recipients of the Cultivate @ Nexus Arts residency, she will develop and premiere new works at the 2026 Adelaide Fringe.
Joining her is LENI, born in Santiago, Chile, and of proud Indigenous Mapuche heritage. Blending soulful R&B with folk-country storytelling and the vibrancy of contemporary pop, LENI’s forthcoming EP MORE LOVE X marks a bold new chapter — music that moves both the body and the spirit.
The series continues on Saturday, 22 November, featuring San Dragan and My Chérie.
My Chérie is an award-winning artist celebrated for her ethereal vocals and emotive songwriting exploring themes of self-love, empowerment, and transformation. Both artists have been recently announced as finalists in the South Australian Music Awards — My Chérie for Best Song and People’s Choice (Pop), and San Dragan for People’s Choice (Soul/Funk/RnB).
The final night of the 2025 program will take place on Saturday, 29 November, with performances by Sonia Smith and Katie Aspel.
Sonia Smith, a First Nations Gugada (Kokatha) artist, singer, and songwriter, offers a powerful blend of folk, blues, gospel, and country that reflects her strength and spirit. Fresh from showcasing at BIGSOUND 2025 (supported by the Nexus Arts 40 for 40 Quick Response Grant), she brings her soulful, genre-spanning sound to the Nexus stage.
Katie Aspel, a proud Ngarrindjeri and Gunditjmara singer-songwriter, captivates audiences with pop-infused vocals, soulful guitar, and heartfelt storytelling rooted in culture and truth. She closes the series following the release of her latest single Fakin’ It, out now via powerhouse First Nations label Bad Apples Music.
The Interplay performance series is set to be a moving and transformative experience for audiences, highlighting the vibrant talent and diverse stories within Adelaide’s music scene.
The Interplay program is supported by the Government of South Australia through the Music Development Office.
NEXUS INTERPLAY CO-HEADLINE SHOWS – NOVEMBER 2025
Saturday 15 November
NAHLLA & LENI
Information & Tickets: https://nexusarts.org.au/events/interplay-nahlla-leni/
Saturday 22 November
SAN DRAGAN & MY CHÉRIE
Information & Tickets: https://nexusarts.org.au/events/interplay-sandragancherie/
Saturday 29 November
KATIE ASPEL & SONIA SMITH
Information & Tickets: https://nexusarts.org.au/events/interplay-katieaspel-soniasmith/
Nahlla
Nahlla is a singer-songwriter with over 10 years of experience participating in important projects in Colombia and Australia. She proudly represents the growing community of Latino migrants in Australia, sharing original compositions about hope, mental health, self-discovery and women’s empowerment in her performances. Nahlla celebrates our innate resilience and capacity to achieve dreams, advocating for unity and a communal effort to foster a better human connection.
LENI
Emerging from a rich cultural tapestry, LENI is a dynamic songwriter, singer, and performer who weaves soulful R&B with the intimacy of folk country storytelling & vibrancy of contemporary pop. Born in Santiago, Chile, with proud Indigenous Mapuche heritage, and now based in Adelaide, LENI brings a fresh, heartfelt perspective to the Australian music scene. LENI’s artistry is deeply rooted in themes of love, healing, resilience, and connection.
His emotive vocal tones and powerful songwriting have quickly set him apart, captivating audiences at local venues and festivals alike. From intimate acoustic sets to high-energy performances, LENI’s magnetic stage presence and authentic storytelling leave a lasting impression.
San Dragan
Sandra Gan’s music combines authenticity with a powerful message of hope, connecting deeply with her listeners. Her debut single, “For You”, marked the beginning of her storytelling journey, inspired by the physical separation from her mother. “Pure and Red” revealed her versatility as she ventured into rap, challenging herself to grow creatively. Her latest single, “Dream”, explores personal transformation, tackling themes of vulnerability, love, and detachment from materialism while embracing a more purposeful, spiritual path.
My Chérie
Award-winning ‘My Chérie’ is known for her mesmerising stage presence, ethereal vocals and songwriting that tackle raw and emotive topics, largely focussing on self-love and empowerment. Even with darker themes, her songs exude hopefulness and promise, striking a delicate balance between exploring the pain of personal, growth heartbreak and faith; evoking deep and relatable emotions while leaving listeners feeling empowered.
Having spent her childhood in South Africa, the impact and inspiration of her homeland and native Afrikaans is woven throughout her music, forming the basis of her transforming live shows. The heart of her performances is to create a unique experience for audiences and create honest and authentic connections.
Sonia Smith
Sonia Smith is a First Nations Gugada (Kokatha) emerging artist, singer and songwriter. With her powerful voice, music and lyrics, Sonia shares the story of her life, from rock bottom times lost in addiction to the clean and sober warrior woman she is today. Delivering a unique blend of folk, blues, gospel, country and rock, Sonia shares her endless strength and resilience through story and song with all heart and soul.
I am a proud Ngarrindjeri and Gunditjmara singer/songwriter who has been immersed in music from a young age. My musical journey began with singing around the house as a child, and I later taught myself to play the guitar. From the age of 14, I started writing my songs, and my current sound blends pop vocals with soulful guitar. My lyrics explore themes of love, culture, and personal experiences. One of my singles, released in 2020, focused on cultural pride and was written with my beautiful grandparents. A big part of who I am as an artist is truth telling through song which was what I wanted to achieve writing a song with my grandparents as it is very important to learn from our elders so that we can pass down knowledge to the next generation.
