There’s talent, and then there’s Australian singer-songwriter and alt-pop sensation Kate Miller-Heidke. A classically-trained musician with some of the best pipes in the business, Kate’s gathered a slew of awards during her multi-platinum career. She’s also a stellar human being with a formidable intellect, killer style, and some of the most flawless porcelain skin I have ever had the envy – sorry, pleasure – of witnessing.

The fact we’ve been friends since high school isn’t even her biggest claim to fame.

Let’s see. There’s the moving hit single Last Day On Earth, penned by hubby and all-round awesome dude Keir Nuttall, which the duo sang at K’s and my wedding. Then there’s Caught In The Crowd, a rallying song about bullying that won the grand prize in the International Songwriting Competition. And let’s not forget Aria-nominated comedic gem, I’m Growing A Beard Downstairs For Christmas.

As Neil Gaiman so poetically puts it, “listening to Kate Miller-Heidke is like being fucked by butterflies”.

Recently, Kate’s turned her considerable gifts to musicals, composing the music for opera/musical/song-cycle The Rabbits, and, along with Keir, STC sensation Muriel’s Wedding The Musical. Which, in case you’re wondering, won an STC award for Best Original Score.

Kicking off The Dressed Fork’s new interview series with fabulous creative folk, Tell Me Everything, Kate dishes the dirt on her style philosophy, top beauty hacks, foolproof tips for finding inspiration, and where you’ll find her in Melbourne on a sneaky Saturday night.

Welcome Kate Miller-Heidke!

Now let’s get down to business.

STYLE:

How would you describe your style?

On stage I would describe it as quite theatrical, quite structured and occasionally over-the-top. I do believe that context is important when it comes to art, and what I wear onstage is contextual information for the audience, so I do give it a bit of thought.

How do you approach getting dressed in the morning?

It depends what I’m doing. It’s often a scramble to get dressed in between feeding my son Ernie his porridge and changing his nappy. Putting a bra on is an achievement.

What’s your favourite accessory?

I have several beautiful wool headpieces made by London artist Liria Pristine. They’ve become sort of totemic for me onstage. They are beautiful, light and practical and travel well despite being frequently squished in a suitcase.

I know you sometimes use a stylist. Can you share a couple of hot tips you’ve learned with our readers?

Put everything on the same flocked hanger. I’m also a big fan of Marie Kondo’s style of folding.

How do you elevate your look when you perform?

False eyelashes, huge heels, sequins – I’m basically a frustrated cabaret performer.

What’s the most treasured piece in your wardrobe?

I have a Jag denim jacket that was my mother’s – she bought it in the early 70s. It smells of mothballs but it fits me perfectly and I love the history.

BEAUTY & WELLNESS:

What’s the top beauty tip you’ve learned from makeup artists?

Apparently Kylie Minogue uses Pond’s Cold Cream cleanser. It costs about $7 a jar and will last you approximately 23 years.

Name your three favourite beauty products.

At the moment I’m using skin care products made here in Melbourne – lots of ASAP stuff, Aspect moisturiser. I recently got some Kerastase hair serum that has small pieces of glitter in it – couldn’t resist that.

How do you lift your mood on a crap day?

I love riding my bike. I can’t be unhappy if the sun is out and I’m on my bike. Otherwise, singing usually helps. Singing as loudly as possible.

What are you reading at the moment?

The Shepherd’s Hut by Tim Winton, and I’m absolutely loving it. I just finished City on Fire by Garth Risk Hallberg, but I would not recommend that one. It was a huge, time-consuming, ultimately unsatisfying read (despite containing many brilliant sentences). Don’t read City on Fire. Read The Shepherd’s Hut.

Where do you turn to for inspiration?

Novels, nature, movies, friends, memories, music.

FOOD:

Breakfast is one of my three favourite meals of the day, and I know you’re a fan. Can you describe your breakfast for me?

Before having Ernie, I had a very strict porridge regime. It was time-consuming and involved lots of cutting fruits and sprinkling nuts etc. Nowadays my perfect breakfast is at lunchtime, at a cafe, alone, eating poached eggs on sourdough with avocado.

What’s your most memorable dining experience?

In Spain, my husband and I once shared an entire rabbit. It was served in a small cauldron and each organ was still vaguely in place (‘Like a rabbit’s grave’, said Keir). It was full of garlic and absolutely delicious. It was also a voyage of discovery guessing which organ was which.

What’s your favourite food?

Pasta. Aglio e olio [with garlic, olive oil, parsley and parmesan].

You’ve got a babysitter for Saturday night. Which Melbourne restaurant are you headed to? Then which bar?

I’ll go to The European and have bone marrow with parsley on toast. Then upstairs to the Supper Club for a martini.

TRAVEL:

What’s your favourite travel destination and why?

Stradbroke Island [in Queensland], because it’s paradise and it feels like going back in time. Also, fresh oysters.

AND FINALLY:

What’s your ultimate advice to our readers on how to follow and achieve their dreams?

Just hang in there – keep doing what you do for long enough and eventually someone will notice.

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And that’s all she wrote, folks!

Stay tuned for the next post in my Tell Me Everything interview series, coming at you next week. In the meantime, catch you on Sunday. 🙂

Antonia xo

Studio photo credits – Jo Duck