PREMIÈRE: Singer/cross-artist Milou Mignon releases her new musical audiobook A Wanderer’s Tale this autumn. In an attempt to escape the loudness of the city and find new ways of connecting, Milou invites you to slow down radically and: walk. Especially in the midst of modern metropoles where people live shoulder to shoulder and yet often remain complete strangers.
~ The album consists of 5 songs and 5 stories.
The idea of A Wanderer’s Tale was born, when Milou started her own urban pilgrimage. This meant a 3 month feet-only policy in which she refused to transfer herself by bike, car or public transport in any occasion. New friends and stray cats were walking along for short and long distances. Milou let herself be guided by surprising encounters and so-called ‘street altars’ she came across. Walking turned out to be a scientific proven superpower. It brings you from a lineair way of relating to time and space into a wondering mindset that enhances creativity and feel good hormones. One of its other special features is that when you walk, the same part of the brain as when you empathise with others is being activated. So walking opens us up to people and their ways of looking.
Inspired by the many dialogues and magical moments that Milou collected, musical audiobook A Wanderer’s Tale was created. It is a weaving of eclectic popsongs, spoken word, improvised music and sounddesign. Milou worked together with Studio Bart Jilesen, productionhouse Hollandse Luchten, musicproducer Thomas Jillings and musicians from the pop-, classical and jazz impro scene from over ten different nationalities.
The première of the audiobook is celebrated with a performance tour through The Netherlands this autumn. In the beginning of the performance the audience receives a rucksack with audio material and a city exploration kit to guide them to go on their own urban pilgrimage, which may lead into unexpected encounters and new ways of experiencing the city. The walk ends with a live concert by Milou, guitarplayer Kike Zwagerman and cello player Pau Sola Masafrets.
Live performances & release dates:
Sept 15 release first single City Lights on bandcamp
Sept 28 Try out Fabrique Unique, Alkmaar
Sept 30 Première Roode Bioscoop, Amsterdam + release singles on Spotify (and other streaming services)
Oct 4 Connection festival Oosterkerk, Haarlem
Nov 28 Nijverheid, Utrecht + full audiobook available on bandcamp
credits
released November 28, 2023
A Wanderer's Tale ~ a musical audiobook
Text, concept, compositions, voice, performance: Milou Mignon
Produced by: Hollandse Luchten, Tamara Roos, Ginger Verhagen, Leen Koole
Mix: Thomas Jillings
Mix & Master: Bart Jilesen & Rebecca Baatjes
Photography: Arber Sefa
Sound design recordings: Milou Mignon
Recordings voice & strings: Studio Bart Jilesen
Voice Over: Frank, Django, Emad, Stephania, Mike, Sarah, Christopher, Rebecca
Musicians: Thomas Jillings (synths: City Lights, sax: Have you heard the birds), Vi Arp (double bass: Man on a cloud), Pau Sola Masafrets (cello: Man on a cloud), Marco Hoogland (piano: Man on a cloud & City Lights) Ana García- Saguar (violin: Man on a Cloud), Azubike Onwuka (bass guitar: Have you heard the birds, Pigeon, Slumberland), Hector Gonzalez Saez (flute: Have you heard the birds, Pigeon), Dariya Sukhareva (backing vocals: Have you heard the birds), Jarno van Es (piano & backing vocals: Have you heard the birds, Pigeon, Slumberland), Robbi Meertens (guitar & backing vocals: Have you heard the birds, Pigeon, Slumberland), Niels de Jonge (drums: Have you heard the birds, Pigeon, Slumberland).
This project is created with the support of: Fonds Podiumkunsten, Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunst, Gemeente Alkmaar, KBC Fonds, K.F. Heinfonds, Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds, SENA Muziekproductiefonds
Singer Milou Mignon creates interdisciplinary performances, podcasts and songs, creating magical realistic universes, unfolding on stages and radiostations from Shanghai to Kaapstad and from Melbourne to Amsterdam.
