Project Description

Interview with
PAULINE MAUDY
from
MZAZA

Interviewer – Dave Bruce

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How did you all find each other and decide to share your musical talents as a group?
MZAZA was kicked off in 2004! I was looking for musicians who could work with me to play music inspired by my roots (France, Spain, Morocco). A freak incident led me to meeting Greta (the violinist) at just the right time. She was involved with a community of musicians interested in Middle Eastern music so we quickly found some common ground and the rest is history.

How would you describe your sound? Why do you think people resonate with your music?
I would describe our sound as new compositions and arrangements made in Australia and performed by diverse and talented musicians. We draw inspiration from French, Sephardic, Balkan and Spanish music but also a range of music we like such as Sigur Ros, Philip Glass, Yann Tiersen, Gogol Bordello among many.
My lyrics are usually in French and English, but I have also occasionally sung songs in Greek, Cretan, Bulgarian, Ladino (the language of my ancestors), Spanish and Turkish (we have heaps of awesome fans in Turkey!).
I like that we make music that is somewhat timeless and does not have borders. At the same time it also bears witness to how alive music is, how it changes. We are a group of people who come from all over Australia and Europe and yet here we are, weaving together our influences in 21st century Brisbane and creating new music.
Our standard line up features vocals (lots of harmonies!), accordion, violin, shah kaman, percussion, double bass and guitar.
Our listeners tell us they like our music because it makes them feel, want to dance and travel, because it is unusual, intricate and full of life. We also like to think that we put on a good show!

Which artist’s music and/or performance, past or present, inspires you today?
So many! We have really diverse musical backgrounds. We love Ross Daly who plays modal music of the Mediteranean and middle east and founded Labyrinth music school in Crete (which have been attended by half of the band). We also love everything from Lhasa de Sela, les Ogres de Barback, Leo, Sigur Ros, Estrella Morante, Nick Cave, PJ Harvey, Sharon Jones, Nina Simone… and in my writing I draw a lot of inspiration from literature, cinema and visual art.

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Your new album ‘The Birth and Death of Stars’ is about to be released this week! Describe its origin and evolution.
This album and show concept has developed over years. I think that is what has given it its depth. In music we are often pressured to keep getting content out but there is really a reason this one has taken a windy road to release and it would not be the same if we had rushed it. We have even developed a theatrical show  (which will premiere at Brisbane Festival on the 10th and 11th of September) to accompany the album which is a collaboration with acclaimed director Benjamin Knapton (Circa). Everything is tied together by striking visual aesthetics contributed by Finnish collage animator Laura Matikainen (who is responsible for some of our artwork, videos and the AV design for the show) and Brisbane artist Emily Devers (who created the album art).
The album is thematically rich. I would say it explores, through references to mythology and astronomy, the tempestuous relationship we, as humans, hold with the universe we are inextricably part of. I am fascinated with the idea that we have everything needed to create our own serenity yet something in our human nature drives us to creating our own turmoil.
We recorded the album at Sierra studios in Athens, Greece while we were on a European tour. We were supposed to release it in June 2020 just before our third European tour but of course a pandemic got in the way and we had to cancel everything. We are so happy we finally get to share all this with the world.

What are the signature pieces on the album, and which is your favorite track?
Oooof that is like choosing your favourite child! I love the title track, ‘The Birth and Death of Stars’, it is an ode to my grandmother and her experience of being stuck in a body that is no longer meant for this life. It also compares human life to the life of stars, so it is a personal and poetic way of broaching tough topics like voluntary assisted dying, mortality and human control over life and death.
If you are after something a little lighter however our version of the song ‘Le Poinconneur des Lilas’ always gets the dancefloor going.
Lyra is upbeat too and reminds me of the nice times playing with friends in Czech republic (it was written with a good friend from Prague).
And You, Me and the Cosmos is one of the first songs I ever wrote when i was feeling homesick  after arriving in Australia from France. I love what the MZAZA musos have brought to it and the sound of the shah kaman (a Persian violin played by Greta).

A lot of the album is sung between French and English, how easy is it to sing between the two live?
I was born and raised in France but have spent half my life in Australia so I am lucky to be bilingual. The only time when things get muddled is when both languages happen simultaneously, for example if I am singing in French and someone speaks to me in English – or if I have had too many vodkas.

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Any tours or events coming up soon? What are you looking forward to, and what can the fans expect?
Yes! I can’t believe I am saying this after the year that has been but we are putting on two massive album release shows that are also the world premiere of our theatrical show at one of our favourite Brisbane venues, the Tivoli. This will feature amazing staging, visuals, and of course the whole album in its entirety. Then we are returning to visit many Queensland communities which totally makes our hearts burst with joy. All dates are below and we hope to tour interstate in the first half of 2021, covid permitting.

The Birth and Death of Stars
Launch

10 & 11 Sept – Brisbane Festival – The Tivoli
Tickets and info

Queensland Tour dates 2020:

3 October – Maryborough
9 October – Logan 11am & Ipswich 8pm
10 October – Toowoomba
16 October – Sunshine Coast 
17 October – Gympie
22 October – Bundaberg
24 October – Mackay
29 October – Hughenden
4 November – Emerald
6 November – Yeppoon
7 November – Mount Tambourine
8 November – Gold Coast

Tickets and info

If you could perform with any music artist, Alive or Dead, who would you choose? And why?
Probably Nick Cave (can you make this happen? thanks). Love his writing and his showmanship.

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Do you have any long-term aspirations as a music artist?
I can’t see myself not playing music and creating, it is such a big part of what makes me feel whole and balanced, so it will always be a part of my life… I guess that is pretty long term!
Building a sustainable career as a music artist is very hard in Australia, and 2020 has really revealed how precarious the situation of artists is from a financial perspective. I think if we want to have a cultural life that is as rich as in some other countries we need to provide financial stability for our artists and recognise the value that the arts bring to our country both economically and in terms of wellbeing… drastic change needs to happen. I am sick of seeing talented people struggle and eventually burn out or give up because they have nothing left.

What is the best thing about performing to a live audience? What’s been the career highlight so far?
The best thing about performing to an audience is when everyone in the room, on or off stage, is in the moment and on a journey together. It is so special how music has the power to do that. It is also when you realise something you have written because of a personal experience has resonated with someone and they share their story with you.
There are too many amazing moments to pick but some standouts were playing to a packed out crowd at an awesome multi-arts festival in Dresden and Supporting The Violent Femmes (USA) and BaBa Zula (Turkey) both at The Triffid in Brisbane.

Finally, a few questions for some quick answers –
FAVOURITE:
Album – La Llorona, by Lhasa de Sela
Artist – Nick Cave
Movie – Anything French with dark humour. Bernie was my all time favourite growing up but it is the French equivalent of Bad Boy Bubby ie not for the faint hearted.
Place to visit – France because of all my friends, family and the memories.
Venue to play – The Tivoli
Food –  Galaktoburiko
Drink – Margarita
Person in History –  Josephine Baker
Tattoo – Beautiful constellations and lines like on our album art!

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Check out MZAZA below
Website | Facebook  | Instagram  | Twitter 

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AMNPLIFY – DB

Dave Bruce

My nickname is “The Amnplifier”. Why? Because around here my focus is on being a conduit for providing greater outcomes that people come here for. My day to day “work” is living in the moment, and I love helping others concentrate on finding their connection to themselves through their experiences.

Why start a music environment? The truth is I love music, I love writing, and I love life. I work with musicians every day, and I feel certain that I will be until they put me in the ground. I have been managing people in businesses of some sort for over thirty five years so along the way I have developed some “wisdom” from my regular and constant “observations”.

Amnplify your experience. That is what we want you to do here, and if you want to let me know why you do, or don’t, shoot me a message on Facebook.

Hope you enjoy yourself here and find something that hits you somewhere.