Project Description
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Interview with
MENAJERIE
(31st June 2024)
Interview with Dave Bruce
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Photo – Kate O’Sullivan
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Previous Support For MENAJERIE
“Whatta slinky number from Menajerie!!! Enamored by these seductive rhythms <3” (Anika Luna, Triple J) [About ‘Holding Pattern’]
“Wandering the line between jazz and funk with sultry, gorg vocals” (Luka Muller, Triple J) [About ‘Holding Pattern’]
“A project fans of Hiatus Kaiyote, Moonchild, and Thundercat will be drawn to..” (Scenestr)
“Australia’s Menajerie light a scorching fire on “Holding Pattern,” unleashing their inner heat with raw, smoldering passion and radiant, seductive soul.” (Atwood Mag)
“With ‘Holding Pattern’ as a tantalizing glimpse into their sonic journey, Menajerie’s forthcoming EP ‘Selective Deafness’ promises to be an enchanting exploration of soulful depths and rhythmic delights.” (AAA Backstage)
“With this enticing single, Menajerie is poised to make waves as they prepare to release of their EP.” (Purple Melon)
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How did the band come together? Where did it all begin?
Gracie Mack – band leader – wanted to start a female led band that specialised in soul music and tight vocal harmony for many years. It all came together in 2020 when she reached out to Melanie and then Rosa. They began rehearsing together, learning each other’s voices and crafting harmonies. Then came 3 men on guitar, bass and drums. There was a bit of changing faces in the beginning, but we’ve landed on the dream team of Andrew, Lee & Beau and we couldn’t be happier.
Briefly describe your journey to date.
Our first gig was at a dear friend’s 30th birthday in November 2020. Since then we took on a monthly residency at The Bearded Lady, performed at many festivals, supported local and interstate bands, played interstate, released 4 singles and 1 EP and were a finalist for a Queensland Music Award.
How would you describe your sound? Why do you think fans resonate with your music?
We’re a blend of old and new soul music. Sometimes we write songs that feel like they’re harking back to the roots of soul from the 60s. But then a lot of our other tunes incorporate all our other influences of jazz, hip hop, R&B, funk & blues. So we mostly call ourselves ‘neo-soul’. Our fans seem to really like the honesty of our lyrics and tightness of our harmonies.
Which artist’s music and/or performance, past or present, inspires you today?
Erykah Badu, Hiatus Kaiyote, Prince, Beyonce, The Supremes, Moonchild, The Meters, Aretha Franklin. There’s so many more! But let’s leave it there.
Your latest single ‘Melt’ has just been released! Describe its origin and evolution.
Gracie wrote it in the early stages of a new relationship. It was born out of that glow-y, fresh stage when everything is new and you’re falling into the unknown.
Is there an EP or Album on the drawing board?
Yes! We have so many songs and write them way faster than we can record them.
What tours and events are coming up? What are you looking forward to, and what can the fans expect?
We’ll be celebrating the release of ‘Melt’ on Friday June 21st at Stranded Bar in Fortitude Valley. We’ve got local bands Sixth of the Sun & Lamborghini Eagleman supporting and we’re really excited about it! More info & tickets here: ‘Melt’ Single Launch | Humanitix
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If you could perform with any music artist, Alive or Dead, who would you choose? And why?
Prince, Minnie Ripperton & Vulfpeck. Maybe even all at once. There would be so much funk and talent on the stage your heart would explode
What are your long-term aspirations as a music artist and how are you progressing towards them?
We have goals of playing at certain dream venue and playing with certain dream artists. But our aspirations are really just to keep doing what we’re doing. Making music we love, collaborating with artists we love and help keep the thriving music scene alive. The more we release and establish ourselves as an artist, the more chance we have of doing that.
With that in mind, what piece of advice would you give to an artist starting out?
Be true to your journey and your voice. It might take you a while to find that voice, and that’s all part of it. Don’t be afraid of showing up and putting stuff out there while you’re on the journey. It’s all you and it’s all going to help you grow.
What is the best thing about performing to a live audience? What’s been the career highlight so far?
Playing a song live for the first time and feeling how the room responds is a really special thing. It helps inform your performance of the song every time. Our EP Launch was an amazing time. A room full of 150 people all completely focused on us and what we have to say.
Here are three general questions your fans will find interesting about you:
1. What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done? Going mattress surfing during a flood is up there
2. What is the one topic you can talk about for hours? The effects of the patriarchy
3. What is the thing you like most about yourself? How much we support each other in this band
Finally, just a few questions for some quick answers –
FAVOURITE:
Album –Top choices (for today) Mama’s gun, Choose your weapon, Aretha sings the blues, Mo Hippa
Artist – To watch live – Jon Cleary
Movie – Recently, Poor Things
Place to visit – Our studio and also Japan
Venue to play – Princess Theatre & It’s still a secret
Food – Pizza – she basic
Drink – Depends on the weather, but usually wine
Person in History – Maya Angelou
Tattoo – (If you don’t have one, what would you get?) Us Menajerie girls want to get some teeny matching pussys
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Photo – Kate O’Sullivan
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Follow MENAJERIE
Website – Spotify – Apple Music – Youtube
Bandcamp – Facebook – Instagram
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Press Release 7th June 2024 (below) HERE
MENAJERIE
gets intimate in
their new single
‘MELT’
Out Friday June 7
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