New Zealand singer, storyteller and poet Milly Moon brings a new show to The Melbourne Fringe Festival this October.
After spending 12 years living abroad, she made the trck back to her native New Zealand; admitting she still gets her city kicks by visiting Wellington, NZ and Melbourne, Australia several times a year.
In her new stage show Birds of Paradise, Moon is joined by Benny ‘the bard’ Coles and Lucy-Belle Willcox – together they weave stories, songs and poetry talking love and other catastrophes that have shaped and changed their lives.
“Birds of Paradise is a unique musical conversation of the stories of our lives, exploring the space between us and how we might fill the gaps with song,” says Moon.
Milly Moon spoke to The Write Drop for our At The Bar series.
MY CITY
For the past four years, I’ve based myself in the small east-coast town of Waihi in Aotearoa, New Zealand. It is most definitely not a city, and while the peace of nature is in abundance, there’s no bar or nightlife to speak of, so regular visits to Wellington and Melbourne are my fix. They are rather alike, a small and expansive version of each other with art covered streets, casual vibes and many gems tucked into alleyways. I’m in both cities at least four times a year and I’ll keep returning like they are my other homes.
FAVOURITE FOOD MEMORY
A post-show dinner with the whanau at Wellington’s Gaze in Kelburn. A totally unassuming cosy little wine bar with a huge impact. Sustainable, forage focused food and with so many amazing vegan options. Each little dish has a story, is beautifully presented and full of unconventional flavour.
FAVOURITE BAR
Bard’s Apothecary in Melbourne is a gem I’ve only discovered since performing shows in their basement space. I love an intimate, almost awkwardly small bar where you have to shuffle against the wall and talk to people to get through. Unpretentious and inviting, Bard’s is one of those old Melbourne classics you can go alone or with a group and feel at ease regardless. Punters sprawl onto the alleyway footpath, and there’s always banter and good whiskey to be had.
DRINK THAT DESCRIBES YOU
I’m a whisky lover and rarely mix, but a Whisky Old Fashioned always does the trick if I’m not drinking neat. Like me, it’s a little bitter, a little sweet, a little zesty and in a classic sturdy glass. An Old Fashioned isn’t too feminine, though would never turn down a fancy twist of orange or a plump cherry.
BEST HANGOVER CURE
A river. There is nothing like leaping into a cold river and having the fresh rush of water holding and cleansing you and your pounding head. Luckily where I live, there are plenty of hangover waterholes, falls and rivers.
BEST INTERSTATE BAR
The Devil’s Advocate in Edinburgh, Scotland is a whisky drinker’s dream. Floor to ceiling, wall to wall, the collection and variety is boggling. Needless to say, I was there for some time.
OVERSEAS BAR
While the above-mentioned Devil’s Advocate is well known, my tip would be to follow your nose rather than a tourist guide. The most incredible places I have found are from wandering, and peering in odd doorways rather than a pre-determined Instagram recommended visit. In Sapporo, Japan my sister and I stumbled upon a tiny place overcrowded with pop-culture paraphernalia and serving the most sticky-sweet Umeshu I had anywhere. The name translates vaguely to ‘King Tako’. Good luck finding it!
FAVOURITE WINE
I lean towards the rounded creamier whites like a Gewürztraminer or a buttery Chardonnay and otherwise a full-bodied shiraz. I don’t believe in spending a fortune on wine so whanau Christmas is always a win with a bottle from Marlborough family winery, Mount Riley, or Dad’s favourite, the Yalumba Shiraz-Viognier.
FAVOURITE WINERY
The wine region of Marlborough in Te Waipounamu, The South Island of Aotearoa is a win any time. An incredible selection of wineries, with tours and cycling routes to take you from one gorgeous place to another.
NEXT DESTINATION
Spain. I have spent a little time in the Spanish countryside and am excited to return and do some more of my wandering and discovering without a map…there is no bad food or wine in Spain.
TELL US ABOUT THE NEW SHOW
While I didn’t think I’d be writing again, especially so soon, on grief and the precariousness of life that comes with such a process, it seems these are the stories that guide my work once more. My new show, Birds of Paradise- a story of songs for the spaces between, is a musical conversation exploring the spaces between us, our experiences and perspectives, and how we might fill the gaps of our life with song. Writing and performing in this capacity is fairly new for and has been a beautiful form of catharsis in difficult times. The conversations in Birds of Paradise were born from a collaborative process with my incredibly talented sister Lucy-Belle and NZ/UK Poet and dear friend, Benny Coles. Musing on the discomfort of growth and presented with humour and authenticity I always strive to uphold, this show of a cappella music and story feels much like a celebration of love, needed in a world of everything else.
