Premiere: Véronique Serret - 'Topsy Turvy World'

Image Credit: Jess Gleeson

Véronique Serret’s musical résumé is something of an awe-inspiring read. Part of iconic singer-songwriter Joanna Newsom’s touring band for a decade, Serret has also directed live string sections for some incredibly talented and diverse artists including Damon Albarn, Mike Patton, Gurrumul, Neil Finn and Sarah Blasko. In Australia, she’s worked extensively with Bangarra Dance Theatre, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Sydney Dance Company, Sydney Symphony Orchestra and as the concertmaster of the Darwin Symphony.

Somewhere during all of this, she also crafts some exploratory and experimental sounds, with her new album Migrating Bird (co-produced and mixed by Kim Moyes of The Presets) out towards the end of next month. Before that, she’s readied new single Topsy Turvy World, out April 19 but you can hear it first as it premieres on Pilerats today.

Using a six string violin in interesting and expressive ways, Topsy Turvy World sees the heavy use of effects including delay and reverb to hypnotic effect, as looped passages intersect and Véronique’s striking yet whimsical vocals deliver a dreamlike tale of flying turtles and having "long red legs like a Jabiru" - a bird native to both Australia and Papua New Guinea, tying back to the Migrating Bird album title.

Unfortunately, this psychedelic story was inspired in part by the greed of those who rule society, with Serret reflecting on how  “Governments and corporations respond to climate change, making it often seem illogical, upside down, and topsy turvy. We must take care of Mother Nature and she will take care of us.”

As well as being co-produced by Kim Moyes, Migrating Bird will see Serret teaming up with renowned Australian Didgeridoo player and former collaborator William Barton, as well as showcasing the beauty of our natural sounds through numerous field recordings.

Before that though, step into Véronique Serret’s Topsy Turvy World:

Véronique Serret's new single Topsy Turvy World is out April 19; Album Migrating Bird out May 24

Migrating Bird Album Launch

Fri May 31 - The Great Club (Marrickville, NSW)

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