Keeping abreast of events in Wilkinson's World

Pre-pandemic, folk-pop-punk-poet Alana Wilkinson emerged as one of the most loved new artists on the Australian music scene. Combining delicate melodies with disarmingly insightful vignettes about the human condition, Wilkinson is a smiling assassin. Her songs skewer ex-lovers, would-be suitors, ridiculous social norms and the absurd challenges of suburban life in a merciless yet strangely affectionate way, leaving audiences feeling like they’re sitting in her living room chatting about life over a steaming cuppa. In 2021 she moved from Seaford to northern NSW, and she is flying down to play at Music on the Hill in Red Hill on Friday, February 3, for a twice-postponed show. Alana chats to Robin from MP Music Network.

You’ve had an eventful two years. What were the highlights?

Yes, as a collective it seems to have been a big one. For us, we moved state, got a big curly puppy, had a beautiful tiny baby, a hospital wedding . . . lots of big feelings for lots of new songs.

What were the challenging times and how have they changed you?

My son was born extremely prematurely at 24 weeks weighing 700g, so we had a really challenging time navigating three months in intensive care for him in Queensland behind locked borders. Soon after arriving back home we were airlifted out of the floods in northern NSW. It’s been one heck of a journey. I honestly feel like a brand-new woman. I have discovered so many more layers of the human experience and have so much more to share about it all.

Why do you like playing Music on the Hill?

MOTH is one of my all-time favourite shows to play because the audience is just so special. So attentive, so connected and so involved. I just love it.

To the uninitiated, what’s an Alana Wilkinson show like?

It’s a time of fabulous choreography, feathered costumes, confetti cannons and swans . . . honk! OK, I lied. It’s a show that meanders through the weird and wonderful back alleys of the human condition, which I believe is where all the real, sometimes hilarious, sometimes devastating stuff hangs out. And while we won’t have swans, we will have harmonies and double bass. So there’s that.

What is your favourite song to play live?

Currently my favourite song to play is one I wrote just after I had my son. I was walking around with my brain asleep when I answered the door to collect a parcel, and after the postman acted super-strangely I realised that one of my breasts had popped out. So the song is called With A Boob Out, which is how I lived life for a solid eight months.

What have you planned for 2023?

I am in the studio recording my debut album. I’m super-excited about it and can’t wait to share these songs with everyone. I’m sure there’ll be a tour to follow and all the things, but for now I’m just focused on making them as wonderful as possible. New music has been a long time coming.

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