Frontwoman Kate Herrington talks Nick Cave, Great Southern Nights and their new record Megaflower
When I called Full Flower Moon Band’s Kate Herrington, she was funnily enough, actually in the middle of reading one of my articles. It was about Nick Cave’s recent response to a fan on his Red Hand Files, where he offered thoughtful commentary on Kanye West’s latest outbursts and the broader debate of whether we can truly separate art from the artist.
“I was reading it, and I was like, ‘You’re brave,’” Herrington laughed as she spoke to me. That article sparked some reflection for her, particularly on her own experiences navigating this tricky grey area.
“I did a DJ set recently, and I really wanted to play this Kanye song. But then I didn’t, because it just didn’t feel right. The water is just too hot right now.”
Calling from her home in Brisbane, Herrington hadn’t left the house in nearly two days due to the intense heat. We’re speaking just as Full Flower Moon Band prepares to play Great Southern Nights.
“I’m such a fan of what they [Great Southern Nights] do,” she says. “When I heard we were doing it, I was like, ‘Oh damn. Are we big enough?’ It’s so rare to get out of major cities, and the venues are great, so I’m stoked.”
Regarding their upcoming performance, Herrington reveals a few surprises in store. “This Newcastle show feels significant to us. It’s a big venue, so I thought we should add in some extra players.”
She then told me about a recent gig in Brisbane—the largest they’d ever done—where Full Flower Moon brought 13 musicians on stage. “We had little things like congas and tambourines. We just wanted to give the audience a full show they wouldn’t otherwise see on other tours.”
Full Flower Moon Band will be touring with their latest album, Megaflower, on this upcoming run. An album which Herrington describes as a real labour of love. One that took it right out of her.
“It took about six to eight months in total, but my process is entirely solo. I demo, then re-demo, and re-demo again. I do it so much that by the time we’re actually recording, it’s like deadly serious.”
However, Herrington found some comfort in writing this record, knowing she wasn’t just putting things into the void anymore. “This was my first experience writing a record with an established audience. I just wanted it to stand out and have those people love it.”
And in true punk fashion, Herrington doesn’t really care about the opinions of those who aren’t part of the band’s core community. She read some of the reviews, she didn’t read others. And to be honest, by the sounds of it she doesn’t really care. “I take 20 percent of what people say to heart” she says. “And the rest can fuck off.”
Full Flower Moon Band are performing at the King St (Bandroom) in Newcastle on March 22. Tickets can be purchased here.
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