Hi, my name is Butterfly Boucher. I’m a solo artist, songwriter, musician, producer, member of a band called Elle Macho, and occasional green thumb. I’m an Australian living in Nashville TN. Last year I co-produced Missy Higgins’ new album, The Ol’ Razzle Dazzle and this year I released my own fully independent album. First thing I was determined do with my new found independence was get back home to Australia and tour my little bottom off! So here I am, splitting my time between the home country and Nashville TN doing just that … and meeting lots of new people along the way.
You’ve been touring the States with Missy Higgins and Katie Herzig, how has that been?
I feel so lucky, to be able to tour in a bus full of your dear friends and to share the stage every night with some of your favourite people in the world… It’s been fantastic! One of my favourite tours this year for sure.
After extensive touring with other bands you must be excited to embark on your first Australian headlining tour, what are you most looking forward to about your upcoming dates?
It’s been wonderful to see my audience grow and grow over this year with every new show, I’m really excited to see new faces as well as those loyal fans faces too! I’m also really excited to be bringing out a band with me for this tour. I can’t wait to try new arrangements and keep the songs fresh. Y’know , change up the show a bit for those who have seen me play already.
Your third solo record was released in April, have you got some cheeky anecdotes about putting it together?
Well, there is this old lady voice in the middle of 5678! Which Katie Herzig spontaneously did when we were recording the demo, I lead her to believe that I would replace it later for the final album version… but I never did, and so it still remains in the song, much to her embarrassment!
Do you plan on spending more time in Australia in the future?
Yes I hope so! This year has been great for reconnecting and meeting new people in Australia. I really would love to work with some more Australian based artists in the future and I’ve really enjoyed touring there this year.
You’re involved in countless music projects, both playing and producing, how do you balance that with recording your own albums?
It’s actually a balance I’m still desperately trying to figure out! I really enjoy all the different collaborations, it really keeps things exciting and new. I just try to take it a day at a time, enjoy things in the moment and not get too stressed.
As a multi-instrumentalist, what’s your favourite instrument to play live?
I’ve come to enjoy bass guitar the best, It’s a deceivingly powerful instrument.
You’ve been based in Nashville for a while; do you feel if you had stayed in Australia you would have had the same opportunities?
I would have had different opportunities for sure. I think, more than anything though, being open to pack my suitcase and travel to crazy cities around the world at the drop of a hat has brought more opportunities than any one place I’ve been based in.
What’s your earliest memory of performing and who inspired you to start?
Hmmm, I think my first memory of performing for an audience is from when I was 5 or 6?! I set up some rocks and pots and pans in my grandma’s backyard and played a song (I’de written only minutes before!) called “Frogs Jump High”. There is a recording of it somewhere and at the end of my song you can hear my Grandma say “oh, she’s so talented”. It’s comments like that that probably inspired me to keep performing!
‘Fess up. What records have you stolen from your parent’s record collection and why?
Whhhell I would never! But if I did it would be… The B-52’s, Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours, Eurythmics, Peter Gabriel (So) Midnight Oil’s 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1… I did wear out mum’s cassette copy of the Soundtrack to Chariots Of Fire!
Considering you’ve already worked with Missy Higgins, which living Australian artist would you most like to collaborate with? Tell us why?
I would love to collaborate somehow, somewhere with The Jezabells or Kimbra (just to name a couple!) I feel like they are really striving to bring something new and creative to music, embracing their uniqueness. It takes guts and hard work to stay original! I’m pretty passionate about helping others keep that vision whilst writing killer songs.
What’s next for Butterfly Boucher? Surely you deserve a nice long holiday?
HA, well, I’m happy to say, I’m 3 days into a two week break as we speak! So I’m pretty happy right now. Warming up though for my headlining Australian tour early November, Then playing some Bass for Missy Higgins right after that for her Australian tour. Then I’m SUPER keen to work on new music, for myself or with others whatever I’m just ready to make some more music. Oh also my band, Elle Macho has an album recorded and ready to be released sometime soon!! Keep your eyes and eers peeled.
Butterfly Boucher is about to embark on a national tour across the country check out the details!
