Migrating Bird

In the intimate space of Brisbane Powerhouse, Véronique Serret performed her entire ARIA-nominated solo album, Migrating Bird, to an enthralled audience. She lovingly described each track on the classical-contemporary album as being part of ‘side A and side B’ – or thematically as ‘earth’ and ‘water’ – in a way that songs are perhaps not curated any more. I enjoyed Véronique’s introductions and the insight into her creative process.

The performance started with the track ‘Brookfield’ which evokes the homestead and surrounds on Brisbane’s outskirts where she and collaborator, William Barton, were musicians in residence. They wrote two of Migrating Bird’s songs together. Significantly, the songwriting was completed during lockdowns and so the longed-for connection to nature is not surprising. Reflections on our place within, and responsibility towards, nature are evident in songs such as ‘Carbon Footprint’ and ‘Topsy Turvy World’ where the violinist uses her looping pedal, special six-string electric violin and vocals to create a unique soundscape that melds classical, folk, contemporary and experimental music styles. Ending the performance was ‘Dodo (in memory)’ inspired by the bird from Véronique’s home country of Mauritius, and ‘Pelican Song’. The soundscapes are painterly, thick with percussion beats, overlaid with strings, anchored by bass tones and the dreamlike didge. The sounds are like abstract expressionism in motion – not surprising when you discover that Migrating Bird production is by Kim Moyes, Sydney-based musician and engineer from electronica duo, The Presets.

Joining the celebrated violinist on stage were Mary Rapp on double bass and Richard Daniell on drums/percussion, with special guests yidaki/didgeridoo performer extraordinaire, William Barton (also on electric guitar), with Dreamtime Opera vocals on two tracks by Aunty Delmae Barton. This autobiographical and very personal compilation of musical vignettes was accompanied by cinematic nature-inspired video projections by Samuel James who is based in the Blue Mountains. The combination of electronic and traditional instrumentation with videography was a perfect blend. Véronique is a welcoming and inclusive performer who seems to genuinely enjoy connecting with her audience – a calm quality that must underline why she is in demand as a collaborator with musicians across the country (Bangarra Dance Theatre, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Sydney Dance Company and Darwin Symphony, where she was Concertmaster). It will be intriguing to see where she travels to next in her musical journey. Migrating Bird is available on vinyl and CD and online.

Beth Keehn

Photographs by Brisbane Festival and Toby Burrows

Find out more: www.veroniqueserret.com