MZAZA: The Birth and Death of Stars: The Show

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Fri 02 Aug 2024

The Balkan-French inspired folk sounds of the band, Mzaza will be bringing their latest Show to the Redland Performing Arts Centre on Friday 2 August 2024.



Mzaza are a group of musicians from around the world, led by French-Sephardic vocalist Pauline Maudy. The group have won three Queensland Music Awards for their mesmerising sounds and performances.

The current touring show takes its name from the band's third and celestially sweet album title, The Birth and Death of Stars.

I spoke with Mzaza's vocalist, Pauline Maudy and asked her about the upcoming show. Here's what she had to say.



I was instantly struck by your name which is so distinct and unusual. Where does it come from?
MZAZA comes from Moroccan slang for crazy or eccentric! I am French-born but my father is from Tangiers in Morocco and the first percussionist we ever collaborated with, David Oddy, had also spent some time there.

You are truly a hybrid and international blend of musicians and sounds with a French vocalist, using instruments such as accordion, Cajon (a percussion instrument from Peru) and Tappan. How does all of this blend together to create your rich sound?

Those instruments are not strangers to each other in other parts of the world, and I like to think that by bringing them together to create our sound through original compositions that other migrants or descendants of migrants can hear a part of themselves in our music, whether it be Persians when they see the Shah Kaman (Persian spike fiddle), French speakers when they hear some of my lyrics, Middle Eastern or North African folk when they see the darabuka (goblet shaped drum) or Balkan communities when they hear the rhythms... all subtly referenced in contemporary folk compositions that are made right here, in Australia.



Your current song and album is called The Birth and Death of Stars. What led to this theme?

The Birth and Death of Stars song was partly inspired by a work by artist Anselm Kiefer at MONA in Tasmania I came across while on tour, This work called 'Sternenfall/Shevirath ha Kelim' or 'Falling Stars' explores the metabolism of nature and the stars and the birth and death of the universe, drawing parallels with human life. In the song, I sing about my grandmother being ready to leave this Earth, and our relationship with the poetics and reality of death as humans. It's a big topic to write about, but music and words are a beautiful, poetic vessel to explore things that are important to feel and speak about.

We chose this title for the album and show because it really seemed to encompass the themes that are peppered throughout such as astronomy, Greek mythology (we recorded the album in Athens) and reflection on human nature and our connection to the world around us and the cosmos.

What can audiences expect on your current tour?

They can expect to be taken on a journey of vision and sound away from the everyday. At the Redland Performing Arts Centre, they will be treated to a show featuring poetic narration, singing in French and English, rich musical arrangements that are at times joyful and at others tug at the heartstrings, projections of collage animation and beautiful lighting. We also will deliver on our commitment to connect with local community through free music and singing workshops on the day of the show, which gives us a chance to share some of the music traditions that inspire us.

What Else
Tickets are available at RPAC and prices are:

Premium Seating: $39.00
Adult: $35.00
Seniors/Pensioners: $30.00
Student: $25.00
Group 10+: $29.00 - pp
Companion card: $0
MEMBER PRICES:
Premium Seating Member Price: $35.10
Adult Member: $31.50 A Reserve
Senior/Pensioner Member: $27.00 - A Reserve

The evening show starts at 7:30pm. Prior to the show, Mzaza will also be offering the incredible opportunity to attend a free singing and instrumental workshop at 1pm at RPAC. You see, MZAZA are also experienced teachers and workshop facilitators and have a wealth of experience in designing and delivering community engagement activities. They have worked as classroom, instrumental, and language teachers, community engagement consultants, arts producers and music therapists.

If you would like to see Mzaza on the other legs of the tour, you can catch them at:
9 August 2024, Gympie Senior Citizens Centre
16 August 2024, Araluan Arts Centre
18 August 2024, Darwin Festival
25 August 2024, Yeppoon Town Hall
31 August 2024, Blue Mountains Theatre and Community Hub
6 and 7 September Bondi PavillionTheatre
8 Sept Riverside Theatre, Paramatta
14 Sept Jetty Theatre Coffs Harbour
15 Sept, Brunswick Picture Theatre
20 Sept Capitol Theatre Tamworth
3 Oct The Wedge, Sale
5 Oct, The Clocktower Centre Moonee Ponds
12 Oct Stanthorpe Civic Centre

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