MOST expectant mothers slow down in the lead up to their due date but singer songwriter Missy Higgins had other plans ahead of the birth of her daughter Luna in August, recording her new single Arrows three days beforehand.
“The recording studio was only available on that day and I didn’t know if I was even going to make it in to the studio,” Higgins said.
“But I knew it would still be easier to record three days before giving birth than it would be to record with a two-week-old newborn. And for some reason when you’re pregnant, with all the hormones going through your body, I was just able to access this deeper register in my voice.”
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWLuna was a welcome sibling for three-and-a-half year old brother Samuel Arrow whose middle name was inspired by her favourite metaphor for a good relationship.
“When my husband (Dan Lee) and I got engaged we decided to get matching arrow tattoos that came from a metaphor I’ve always had about a healthy relationship being like two people walking towards the horizon, parallel, without tangling up in each other,” Higgins said.
“We’ve always talked about that and the importance of maintaining our sense of self while being together.”
Higgins wrote Arrows for their wedding and the song is on her album The Special Ones – Best Of, which features a mixture of fan favourites and “songs that all mean something special to me for different reasons”.
The 35 year old said she could not believe she had been around long enough to release five albums, let alone a “Best Of”, and will showcase it when she joins John Butler Trio+ for an Australian tour in early 2019 with concerts at Kings Park and Botanic Garden on February 1 and 2.
“John and I toured way back in the day and he was one of the first people to take me on as their support act,” Higgins said.
“I’m so grateful for that, helping me get my start in the live music scene.
“He’s an inspiring guy and musician and knows what it’s like to take your family on tour too. I’m sure he’ll be very understanding about the chaos I’m about to bring on the road.”
THE ESSENTIALS
What: John Butler Trio+ and Missy Higgins
Where: Kings Park and Botanic Garden
When: February 1 and 2
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com.au