Interview: Flip Grater Talks About Her 'Lullabies for Anaïs' EP Launch Show

Christchurch folk musician Flip Grater quietly released a new record in December last year called Lullabies for Anaïs. At the time she was busy preparing hundreds of vegan turkeys in time for Christmas at her new vegan deli and butchery, Grater Goods. This week, the four song EP is getting its official launch with a show in Christchurch on Friday 10th May, albeit, several months on from the digital release.

Written in the early days of raising her young daughter, the EP is a collection of soothing lullabies in both English and French. French For Rabbits leader Brooke Singer (who also produced the collection) caught up with Flip ahead of the show, to find out how she juggles the different hats as mum, musician and vegan delicatessen.

Brooke Singer: Firstly, you’re a busy entrepreneur, mum and musician – how do these different aspects of your life fit together?

Flip Grater: Like anyone I’m on a never-ending quest for balance! I definitely don’t have as much time for writing as I’d like at the moment but the main challenge I find with being a musician and parent to a small human is mental space... space to ponder and muse without being interrupted by questions like, “why are houses stuck to the ground?”

Yes, such a good question though. I'd like to live in a walking house. Your new EP Lullabies for Anaïs is the first music you’ve released since moving back to New Zealand from France and having a daughter. Can you tell me about that?

We'd decided to raise Anaïs bilingually, so started speaking both French and English to her from birth. Making up ditties and lullabies in French felt natural - especially since I didn't need sophisticated French to do so! Her French is better than mine now so I've switched to English.

We recorded the EP together a while ago at my little home studio in Wellington. It was great working with you while I found my feet as a producer! How was the experience for you?

I can't say it was terrible can I, jeez?! Haha. No it actually was great. Firstly, I got to go away for a couple of nights, hand over the bedtimes and childcare and actually sleep through the night without interruption. Then of course it felt great to be making music again, and working with a female producer, shockingly enough for the first time!

The songs on the EP are very calming, would you consider the album to be a “children’s album” or something else?

I consider it an EP for adults. It's great for putting babies, kids or adults to sleep but also works as just relaxed background music. After having a baby, I felt like all the music pushed to me was knaff, as though I would suddenly get shit taste in music because I'd had a baby, when in fact you can avoid Disney for a good 3 years... it turns out.

The official release show for the EP is next Friday, and you’re holding it in a brand new wine bar that you’ve recently set-up alongside your vegan deli, brilliantly named Grater Goods. Tell me about this new wine bar, and what people can expect from the show?

The wine bar is still in fit out stage but the deli is here and licensed so we figured we might as well start doing some events. Ticket price on the night includes a free drink and we'll be serving local wines and loads of deli and bar foods. It'll be cosy and fun and we all get to hear the wonderful Terrible Sons too. I'm looking forward to it!

Any future music plans in the pipeline?

I'm playing an Arts Festival show with Julia Deans and Bella Kalolo at the Town Frickin Hall in August and working on new songs in the moments between other things.

Flip Grater's 'Lullabies for Anaïs' EP release event is happening at Christchurch's Pinot Cave on Friday 10th May, tickets are available HERE via UTR.