Mema Wilda

{{Use New Zealand English|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox musical artist | background = person | honorific_prefix = | name = Mema Wilda | honorific_suffix = | image = | image_upright = | image_size = | landscape =  | alt = | caption = | native_name = | native_name_lang = | birth_name = Vaimoana Tumema Sesega | alias = | birth_date =  | birth_place = Samoa | origin = | death_date =  | death_place = | genre = Folk, rock, pop, psyechedelic | occupation = Musician | instrument = | discography = | years_active =  | label = | current_member_of = Wilda | past_member_of = | spouse =  | partner =  | website =  | module = | module2 = | module3 = }} '''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. Her brother is Samoan-born rocker, Levi Sesega.

==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 Auckland, New Zealand. She also spent some time in New York City.<ref>''The Spinoff'', September 19, 2022 – [https://thespinoff.co.nz/pop-culture/19-09-2022/the-wild-ride-of-mema-wilda The wild ride of Mema Wilda By Sela Jane Hopgood]</ref> She is also a songweriter. According to Carlos Norton's article "The Bridge: A harmony of music and family" on Times.co.nz (31 August 2024), Wilda was asked about what drove her to song writing and her answer was "Why not?"<ref>Times.co.nz, August 31, 2024 – [https://www.times.co.nz/art-entertainment/the-bridge-a-harmony-of-music-and-family/ The Bridge: A harmony of music and family]</ref>

She has performed on stage with her brother Levi Sesega aka Michael Sesega.<ref>Times.co.nz, August 22, 2024 – [https://www.times.co.nz/art-entertainment/new-musical-platform-provides-bridge-for-singer-songwriters/ New musical platform provides bridge for singer-songwriters]</ref> Her brother formed Samoa's first heavy rock band, The Half Days which grew out of Samoan Alchemist.{{Citation needed|reason=Reference needed. It has been confirmed on a radio interview which needs to be located.|date=January 2025}} He heads the Levi Lights On Project who had a single "The People Awake" in 2025.<ref>''Red Raven News'', 30th May 2025 - [https://redraven.news/2025/05/30/levi-lights-on-project-the-people-awake-single-released-23-may-2025-review/ Levi Lights On Project – The People Awake, Single released 23 May 2025: Review By Rev Orange Peel]</ref>

As of late 2023 she was fronting the band Wilda which has been described as having mainly a psychedelic-folk and rock sound.<ref>Radio Hauraki, 6 September 2023 – [https://www.hauraki.co.nz/listen/locals-only/wilda-going-wild/ Wilda – Going Wild]</ref>

==Career== ===2010s=== 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.<ref>NZ on Screen – [https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/marks-of-mana-2018 Marks of Mana]</ref><ref>Digital Pasifik – [https://digitalpasifik.org/items/77544 Pese o le tatau]</ref>

Also in 2018, Wilda was booked to appear in a double bill with brother Levi Sesega on 7 October at the Vic in Devonport, Auckland.<ref>''Channel Magazine'', Issue 92 October 2018 – [https://issuu.com/benefitz/docs/cmag189274-web Page 3 Levi Live at the Vic; Levi Sesega and Mema Wilda, The Vic, Devonport, 6-9pm]</ref><ref>''Channel Magazine'', Issue 92 October 2018 – [https://issuu.com/benefitz/docs/cmag189274-web Page 18 Live Shows and Special Events, Levi Sesega & Mema Wilda – Sun 7 Oct, 6:00pm Central Auckland brother and sister double bill];</ref>

On 23 March 2019, Wilda was part of the "Levi Lights on Project and Mema Wilda" bill at the Leigh Sawmill Cafe in Auckland. Their performance was reviewed by Mike Thornton of ''Ambient Lights''. Thornton said that they demonstrated wonderful song making skills and the commanding control that they had over their instruments. The crystal clarity and accuracy of their performances was also noted. He also said that Wilda had a soft psychedelic and euphoric sense to her delivery. One of the songs that Wilda performed was the Dolly Parton song "Jolene". He said it was glorious, slow sad and sweet.<ref>''Ambient Light'', 25 Mar 2019 – [https://www.ambientlightblog.com/levi-lights-on-project-auckland-nz-2019/ Levi Lights On Project & Mema Wilda – 23rd March 2019. Leigh Sawmill Café, Auckland, New Zealand. Review and Photography by Mike Thornton]</ref>

===="Blue"==== Working with producer Mitch French, Wilda recorded the song "Blue" at Black Dog Recording Studio in 2019. Her debut single, it was set for release on 15 August that year.<ref>MMF Aoteroa, 8 Aug 2019 – [https://www.mmf.co.nz/news-pages/2019/8/8/mema-wilda-blue Mema Wilda 'Blue']</ref> The review by Jamie Denton was posted on MNZ that month. Making note of Wilda's "clean, clear, and wonderfully restrained vocal, Denton also mentioned Wilda's songwriting prowess and how the song takes the listener for a ride and holding them until it's finished with the listener. He called it a beautiful song with lush production. The song was given 5/5 stars.<ref>MNZ, 08 Aug, 2019 – [https://www.muzic.net.nz/articles/reviews/90031/mema-wilda-single-review-blue Mema Wilda – Single Review: Blue By Jamie Denton]</ref>

===2020s=== Wilda released the single "How I Long" in 2021.<ref>''The Spinoff'', September 19, 2022 – [https://thespinoff.co.nz/pop-culture/19-09-2022/the-wild-ride-of-mema-wilda The wild ride of Mema Wilda By Sela Jane Hopgood]</ref> 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.<ref>MNZ, 21 Jan, 2021 – [https://www.muzic.net.nz/articles/reviews/91767/mema-wilda-single-review-how-i-long Mema Wilda – Single Review: How I Long By Ben Reugg]</ref> 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.<ref>''York Calling'', 26/01/2021 – [https://yorkcalling.co.uk/2021/01/26/discovery-mema-wilda/ Reviews, Discovery: Mema Wilda By Jane Howkins]</ref>

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.<ref>''Scoop'', Monday, 19 April 2021, 4:11 pm – [https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU2104/S00120/a-celebration-of-alt-rock-and-indie-folk.htm A Celebration Of Alt-Rock And Indie-folk]</ref> 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 said that it was in the early days of Wilda's career and that it was exciting to think where she will go.<ref>''Melodic Magazine'', June 26, 2021 – [https://www.melodicmag.com/2021/06/26/sam-bartells-albi-and-the-wolves-and-mema-wilda-play-in-auckland-nz/ Sam Bartells, Albi and the Wolves, and Mema Wilda in Auckland, NZ By: Maggie Cocco]</ref>

On 18 December 2021, ahead of second place contestants, Dave and the Dirty Humans and third place tie contestants, House of Ousey and Little Sunday, Wilda won first prize in the 2021 Battle of the Bands event.<ref>NZ Musician – [https://nzmusician.co.nz/news/2021-battle/ News, Mema Wilda Wins 2021 Battle Of The Bands]</ref>

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.<ref>RNZ, 9 April 2023 – [https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/sunday/audio/2018885455/mema-wilda-my-latest-track, Music, Mema Wilda: My Latest Track]</ref>

===="Going Wild"==== "Going Wild" was reviewed by Kev Rowland of House of Prog Radio who gave it 10 out of 10. Rowland had noticed a change in her music and with the single, he said that it was a nice chugging rock number. He also noted the quality of Greg Haver's production. He finished off with a question of "when do we get the album?".<ref>House of Prog Radio, Apr 10, 2023 – [https://houseofprog.com/wilda-going-wild-2023-single/ Reviews, Wilda: Going Wild (2023) single by Kev Rowland]</ref>

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.<ref>13th Floor, April 14, 2023 – [https://13thfloor.co.nz/larkin-poe-powerstation-april-13-2023/ Larkin Poe – Powerstation: April 13, 2023 – Marty Duda]</ref>

====Further activities==== 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.<ref>Radio Hauraki, 6 September 2023 – [https://www.hauraki.co.nz/listen/locals-only/wilda-going-wild/ Wilda – Going Wild]</ref>

In August 2024, Wilda and Michael Levin Sesega were part of the "Wilde and Wilda" show with Jesse Wilde and his daughter Faith that was held at the Uxbridge Arts and Culture venue.<ref>''Times'', Vol 53 No 21 Friday, August 16, 2024 – [https://issuu.com/times_e-editions/docs/times_august_16_2024 Page 25 Arts & Culture, Chapter & Verse, Wildes Ride On]</ref><ref>Times.co.nz, August 31, 2024 – [https://www.times.co.nz/art-entertainment/the-bridge-a-harmony-of-music-and-family/ The Bridge: A harmony of music and family]</ref>

Wilda and singer-songwriter, Eden Iris were booked to appear at the 605 Morningside Drinkery on 23 May 2025.<ref>New Zealand Music Month - [https://www.nzmusicmonth.co.nz/gigs/mema-wilda-eden-iris-7cd1a Mema Wilda + Eden Iris]</ref>

Wilda and her backing band The Dopamen appeared at the Button Factory in Auckland on 24 October 2025. Marty Duda saw her perform and gave a positive review of it, mentioning the value of her collaborating with Greg Haver.<ref>The 13th Floor, 25/10/2025 - [https://13thfloor.co.nz/mema-wilda-the-dopamen-the-button-factory-october-24-2025/# Mema Wilda & The Dopamen – The Button Factory: October 24, 2025 Marty Duda, Mema Wilda &THe Dopamen]</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * Mema Wilda – Topic, Jan 21, 2021 – [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksqahPvIDhE How I Long] * Wilda Topic channel, Apr 7, 2023 – [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcSQXBr-l7A Going Wild] * kiwi rocker channel, Jul 14, 2019 – [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Y4DxTzRTxs Levi Lights On Project ft Mema Wilder at Navara Lounge]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wilda, Mema}} Category:Living people Category:Samoan musicians Category:Samoan guitarists Category:Samoan singers Category:21st-century Samoan women Category:Folk singers Category:Pop singers Category:Women pop singers Category:New Zealand women rock singers Category:Samoan expatriates in New Zealand Category:Year of birth missing (living people)