MILLY MCPHERSON

Written By Siena Robb

There’s a warmth and emotional honesty woven through Milly McPherson’s songwriting that makes her music feel both deeply personal and instantly familiar. Ahead of her May 30 headline show at The Lansdowne Hotel, I spoke with Milly about vulnerability in songwriting, the connection between memory and music, and the catharsis of performing songs that once existed only in her bedroom. From creative process to community, the conversation captures an artist stepping confidently into a new chapter while remaining grounded in sincerity and instinct.

You’re playing the Lansdowne on May 30. How does it feel to be wrapping up your tour there?

I have always seen the Lansdowne as a venue that is a big deal, as my music has grown and developed into something authentically representing me and the band, it feels right to celebrate it there. This being my first ever tour, I felt like wrapping it up in a space that is sentimental to me as the last time I headlined the Lansdowne was the closing show for my old project June and The Desert Flames in 2022. It all feels quite full circle and surreal now with my own project - the space also has great sound, staff, lighting and a perfect dance floor!

Your songs feel very personal and emotionally open. Does performing them live change your relationship to them at all?

Absolutely, writing these songs is very cathartic and helps me understand how I am truly feeling about a situation or experience. The extra step of performing it, singing with the crowd or workshopping it with the band takes these songs from something personal to me to a connection with the audience - the memories attached to the initial stages of the song then redevelop with memories of shows, rehearsals and recordings building it into something new. 

When you’re building a live set, do you think more about storytelling, atmosphere, or energy?

I think I am always very focused on energy, I love noticing when a crowd starts tapping their feet or bobbing their head, and I really feel like a winner when they break out some dance moves! I try to mix and match the order so the energy and atmosphere of the space is complimented, making the audience feel comfortable to have a dance or a singalong - depending on their mood! 

A lot of your music feels grounded in memory and place. Are there certain songs that hit differently in front of a crowd?

"Religious" was an early single for my album release last year that surprisingly struck an emotional chord with people. I didn't quite realise how much it hit people until our album show at the Metro when I had people screaming the chorus at me. It was the best feeling in the world. The song comes from a place of feeling naive, pushed to the side and unnoticed and was written alone in my room years before I released it. People's reaction and connection to the song made me feel like I had articulated the story the way I hoped I would, I didn't feel so alone in the vulnerability and got to experience it with a screaming crowd. As a songwriter, I couldn't recommend this feeling more.  

What do you hope people walk away feeling after one of your shows?

In complete honesty, I always hope they feel like it was worth their time! But mainly I hope that they feel understood, comfortable and happy. My songs aren't just mellow and honest stories, they are also beautifully collaborated on by my talented band who do such a great job at making the music complex, creative and interesting to the ear. I hope the audience walks away noticing all of the work they put in and feel like they got to hear something new and feel something. 

Your sound has this warmth and intimacy to it. Who or what has influenced that side of your songwriting most?

I am heavily influenced by my favourite rockstars Courtney Barnett, Julia Jacklin, Florence + The Machine and Blondie. My songwriting seems to weave between these references, a bit of edge but also a big emphasis on honesty. Their unique approaches to lyricism and personality in their music is the reason I got into writing in the first place, they also really know how to have a bit of fun with it, which I love. 

Do you remember the first moment you realised songwriting was something you genuinely needed to do, not just something you enjoyed?

Throughout lockdown, I realised the way I was handling my mental health was through writing constantly. I got quite addicted to it, and now feel like I need it to stay sane. Some people journal, I write with my guitar until I feel bored of the stories I am telling, which is probably why I feel like I need to do it - selfish reasons basically. 

How does your creative process usually begin?

They usually begin with myself feeling stuck in a feeling that I can't shake, I then pick up my guitar and work out a progression that matches the feeling and see what words flow through. I then work on the song, structure and general idea, and take it to the band to do whatever they want with it. I try not to stay too stubborn on what it sounds like or the genre it slots into before letting the band take it down and build it back up with me. That's when it becomes a song to me. 

What’s something about performing live that people might not realise from the outside?

That every song is extremely reliant on the band - being a solo artist I feel like people don't realise how much the band has written in these songs, but when I get to play full band shows I really feel like it's the only times the songs are performed to their full capacity. They put in a crazy amount of work and enthusiasm especially on this recent tour, they are very crucial and also my wonderful friends that I love!  

Your music feels very honest and unfiltered. Is vulnerability something that comes naturally to you creatively, or did you have to grow into it?

I'm so glad you feel that! Honestly no, I am naturally quite an awkward person when it comes to being vulnerable, I have a very confident persona onstage but feeling open about my music and its stories is still something I am trying to grow into. Maybe in my 6th year of this I will really crack it...

Are there any artists, local or otherwise that you feel creatively connected to at the moment?

 I am very lucky to be surrounded by very talented artists who help me learn more about creativity, writing and collaborating with others. Some favourites in the scene are Maia Jelavic, Georgia Mulligan, Oliver Ashby, Mima and The Band, Bennetts Grove, Banana Farm and Lindsey - but this list could seriously go on and on. 

What does success look like to you right now in this stage of your career?

Being able to keep making the music I love, this creative freedom I get to have is a level of "success" I never thought I would be able to do with songs I write in my room. The accessibility to a band of musicians who want to work and create something with me is a huge achievement that I feel very proud of. This stage of my career, all that matters is that we're having fun, sharing the music with others and connecting with people who hear it, I feel very good about it all. 

After the Lansdowne show, what’s next for you creatively?

All I want to do is write, record and release music with my friends. We haven't released anything in over a year now, so I am super excited to have the opportunity to work at it again and show everyone what we've been working on! However, you can get a sneak peak at our show on May 30 at the Lansdowne to hear our new tracks.

Throughout the conversation, Milly McPherson speaks with the same warmth and emotional openness that defines her songwriting. Whether reflecting on vulnerability, live performance or the collaborative nature of making music, her answers feel refreshingly unfiltered and grounded in genuine connection rather than performance. There’s a quiet confidence woven through the way she discusses creativity, one that mirrors the intimacy and honesty present throughout her music.

What stands out most is McPherson’s ability to treat songwriting not just as self-expression, but as a way of understanding herself and connecting with others. Even when discussing deeply personal experiences, she approaches them with a sense of gratitude and emotional clarity that makes both her music and this conversation feel deeply human. Much like her live shows, the interview carries an atmosphere that is reflective, sincere and emotionally generous.

With her May 30 show at the Lansdowne marking the end of a significant chapter, Milly McPherson seems less focused on nostalgia than on creative momentum. Whether performing deeply personal tracks to packed rooms or quietly building new material with friends, her approach to music remains rooted in honesty, instinct and connection. If this next chapter is anything like the work she’s released so far, it’s clear there’s still plenty more to come.