Michaela Jayde: Soul, Singing Competitions, and the Art of Backing Vocals

This week, I’m joined by Michaela Jayde — a powerhouse Soul/R&B artist, dynamic performer, and an incredible vocalist who has been a key figure in Melbourne’s music scene for over a decade. With a voice that effortlessly blends classic soul with modern R&B, Michaela has worked with artists like Tones & I, Stan Walker, Jerome Farah, Kylie Auldist, Ben Abraham, Thndo, WILSN, and more.In this episode, we dive into her purpose and intention with music—what drives her, the deep connection she has to singing, and how she balances artistry with the demands of the industry. We talk about her experience on a singing competition TV show, the positive relationships and opportunities that came from it, but also the challenges and tensions she felt between music as an expression and music as a competition.Michaela shares the story behind posting a cover online and then being invited to sing live with Teddy Swims, as well as her journey growing up in a musical family, studying music, and drawing inspiration from Erykah Badu, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, and Donny Hathaway.We also discuss her passion for vocal technique and her deep knowledge of backing vocals—nerding out on harmonies and the craft of supporting other artists. And, on top of all this, we talk about motherhood, tribute shows, and releasing her own original music.Michaela is such a warm, inspiring presence—her strength, talent, and intention shine through in everything she does. This was a brilliant conversation—don’t miss it!