Pune: When Milan-based singer and composer Naima Farao steps onto the stage in Pune this weekend, she brings with her a body of work shaped as much by looking as by listening. Farao, trained across music and visual arts, sees creativity as an ongoing process of observation, listening, and response to the world around her.“I am a naturally curious person, always fascinated by different forms of art, including photography, painting, illustration, and, of course, music. I love observing my surroundings and trying to understand other people’s perspectives,” said Farao, who will perform at High Spirits Cafe in Koregaon Park on Jan 10, opening an India tour that will also take her to Chennai, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.Her debut album Dots, released last year, moves fluidly between nu jazz and alternative soul. She is currently working on her next album with a quartet featuring Edoardo Maggioni on keyboards, Andrea Dominoni on bass, and Matteo D’Ignazi on drums. “I have been collaborating with them for the past three years, and they will also accompany me on stage during my India tour,” she said.Farao’s work often leans into spontaneous composition, allowing performances to unfold organically rather than follow a fixed script. “Observation and listening are the two fundamental pillars that allow us to process and develop our own vision. This leaves room for the unexpected and becomes a starting point for creating something that was not planned in advance,” she explained.Over the last decade, Farao has steadily built her career, working on a wide range of projects—from experimental jazz with the Artchipel Orchestra to techno brass collaborations, a cappella vocal work, and soul and funk collectives based in Milan. Yet her upcoming India tour holds particular significance. Though Farao has visited India before, she will be performing here for the first time.Farao first visited India in 2008 on a backpacking trip. “There are places that have a way of calling you back; you don’t know when or if that will happen, so the only thing you can do is go with the flow. The call of India is impossible to resist. I didn’t visit the cities where we’ll be performing in the coming days, so this tour feels entirely new to me. I’m really excited and curious to see how the audience will react to our sound. My goal is to connect with listeners, as I’ve always tried to do everywhere I’ve played,” she said.Collaboration has played a central role in her artistic growth. “The personal research that each of us does can only be enriched by meeting other musicians and artists. Exchange creates synergy; listening fosters growth. As Frank Zappa said, ‘A mind is like a parachute—it doesn’t work if it’s not open,'” said Farao.In addition to her solo career as a visual and sound artist, Farao is also part of the vocal section of the Artchipel Orchestra, one of the most creative ensembles in the Italian experimental jazz scene. “I also collaborate with Mefisto Brass, one of the strongest techno brass bands in Europe. I am the alto in the a cappella vocal sextet Elephant Claps, and I perform with Soul Circus, a soul-funk collective based in Milan,” she said.Performing across venues and festivals throughout Europe has sharpened her understanding of what a live show demands. “Over time, I realised that energy is fundamental. Being on stage is a privilege because there is an audience listening to me. Often, people don’t know who I am, but they are there out of curiosity. I try to give my all so that those listening can truly feel my vibe,” she said.For Farao, the most meaningful performances are built on exchange rather than display. “The result is a continuous exchange that depends on a constant, positive, and genuine tension that keeps everyone connected,” she added.
