Singer, songwriter and performer Parissa Bouas brings her charming stage presence to Brisbane Powerhouse for an evening of sultry song.
Parissa is a notable solo artist but also writes, records and performs with Carl Cleves in The Hottentots, sings and plays percussion with The Bella Fontes and is a valued member of several other ensembles.
Parissa performs with pianist Sean MacKenzie as part of the Livespark series at Brisbane Powerhouse, in September, where she will mostly sing songs from her album 'The Full Force Of The Wind'.
What's fresh in the world of Parissa Bouas… any new songs/albums in the works?
Yes there are always new songs peeking their little heads out, hahaa; but I guess what’s been occupying my mind most at the moment has been working on a cabaret show, featuring my songs, with one of Australia’s busiest musical directors, Andrew Worboys and Australia’s Charles Bukowsky, Zed Jones… lots of fun, craziness and emotional challenges.
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When you're working on new material, do you have a certain routine you like to keep to or do you prefer to keep things loose and flexible?
I wish I could be routine, but I’m very loose and flexible. I do record every, little idea though and try to listen back when I have time and the feeling to write something.
In September, you are playing as part of Brisbane Powerhouse's Livespark series… what do you have planned for this performance?
I’ll be playing mostly songs from my CD 'The Full Force Of The Wind' and a few other originals and covers, with a really great pianist Sean Mackenzie; he also plays kalimba and stomp box.
Do you have a favourite Powerhouse memory; either as a performer or as a punter at another show?
I live in Byron, so I haven’t actually been to a show at the Powerhouse. But I do remember playing there about ten years ago with The Hottentots.
Your musical world isn't restricted to your solo work; what else keeps you occupied musically?
Oh, I’m having a great time drumming, dancing and singing with ten-piece Afro-Brazillian feminine percussion ensemble Meninas da Lua. We’re getting ready for Island Vibe Festival at the moment, where we’ll also be performing with local indigenous women at the closing ceremony, after workshopping with them earlier in September. I’ve also been having a cracker of a time singing vintage calypso cabaret with The Bella Fontes. Awesome harmonies and lots of fruit on the our heads. Hahahaaa!
The rest of 2017… are you keeping busy with any creative projects?
More work on the cabaret show, finishing off a few songs, working on my guitar playing, samba-reggae workshops with the local Stradbroke Island mob.
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You also offer singing tuition… any young stars you are mentoring at the moment or have in the past?
Yes actually, quite a few from pretty well-known bands but that’s confidential. Around here there are many talented young singers and songwriters.
Does the tuition offer you another creative outlet that you enjoy pursuing or is it simply a skillset to help pay the bills?
Absolutely. I love it and it helps pay the bills while I’m not touring. It really balances my life out. I find it very creative. I used to teach semester one at Southern Cross University (SCU) and then go off touring and I just loved coming back to it. It gives me immense satisfaction to help people reach their potential and I’m finding working more on performance confidence really effective. I also love leading choirs and arranging for voices.
Was there a moment as a child, young adult that remains crystal clear when you knew you had a talent to sing?
I was in two choirs as a kid and I loved it. I always wanted to be a dancer though and thought that was where my talent was. Singing was just something else to enjoy and I performed doing both in shows as a teen. It was only when I was told that I couldn’t be a professional dancer, for physical reasons, that I started singing more. But I always wrote songs too.
How much joy do you gain from the simple pleasure of singing to others (either live or in the studio for a recorded project)?
Singing is something I do constantly around the house, in the street and supermarket. I guess it still surprises me a little that people like to hear me sing. I love the meshing of energies, the giving, the whole channelling involved in live performance. My favourite thing is when everyone sings together.
Parissa Bouas plays Brisbane Powerhouse Livespark series 10 September.
