You can count on one thing to be always be in Australian singer Mallrat (née Grace Shaw)’s tour suitcase: glitter. “I feel like this whole interview is about my glitter,” the 20-year-old rising star tells us over email. “Some people have amazing, dramatic alter egos when they’re on stage, but I’m the same person on stage as I am during the day. My lyrics are very personal and theatrics don’t feel right for me. So the only thing that changes during my show is the glitter—but I sometimes wear that during the day too.”

Shaw—who took on her sparkly Mallrat stage moniker from a song by Chicago-based indie-rock band The Orwells—had a huge 2018. She dropped her second bubbly EP, In the Sky, had her song “Groceries” pegged as one of last year’s best by Billboard, opened for rapper Post Malone during the Australian leg of his tour, played her first-ever U.S. gig at South by Southwest and, nbd, went on tour with ultimate cool girl Maggie Rogers. And, honestly, we fully expect the Brisbane native to have an even bigger 2019. She’s just embarked on a North American tour, which includes a stop in Toronto on January 24 with hip-hop artist Gnash at Mod Club. We caught up with Mallrat to find out what her tour essentials are (hint: platform shoes are a must). 

 

 

On her pre-tour packing

“I’m not organized with it! If it’s an international tour, then I’ll stay up the night before to pack to try and make myself sleepy for the flight. If it’s just in Australia, I’ll call an Uber to the airport and then pack in the three minutes it takes for it to arrive.”

 

On her must-have fashion items

“I always bring pink sunnies, glitter and platform shoes. My favourite things to wear on stage are platforms, because I’m short, and glitter on my face, because it makes me feel like dancing.”

 

On her key beauty products

“I’m shocking at keeping routines and haven’t really prioritized skincare before! I’m only realizing now how important moisturizer is, so a good moisturizer is the only thing I can vouch for. And dry shampoo and argan oil for hair. But when my skin is really struggling, I just cover it up with glitter. And I always bring black liquid eyeliner for massive cat eye.”

 

On her favourite tour snacks

“My DJ used to be allergic to all nuts, but she’s not allergic to almonds anymore. So we’ve become obsessed with tamari almonds. We try really hard to be healthy!”

 

On her plane essentials

“Noise-cancelling headphones are a game changer. I usually make beats on my laptop or listen to music. I have a sleepy playlist on Spotify that makes me feel snoozy and calm. It’s got lots of John Mayer, Kurt Vile, Lana del Rey.”