13th Floor New Song Of The Day: Milly Tabak & The Miltones – Honest Woman

We bring in New Zealand Music Month with brand new music from Milly Tabak and The Miltones.

The new song is called Honest Woman and it will be the title track of her/their new album, due out in July. Here’s the record company blurb with more info:

Milly Tabak & The Miltones channel a classic Americana sound in brand new single ‘Honest Woman’. The song is Tabak’s first release since winning the Taite Prize Best Independent Debut for The Miltones, and is the title track from the band’s forthcoming album Honest Woman, set for release in July.

The warm and uplifting track showcases Tabak’s growth within herself and as a storyteller, and gives a glimpse into the truthfulness and maturity that music lovers will hear when they get to sit down with the full album.

“‘Honest Woman’ is about the new version of myself that I’ve discovered. I’m proud of her,” Tabak says. “The song perfectly captures the pure joy I’ve had from recording my dream record.”

Tabak and her extraordinary band The Miltones (Liam Pratt, Chip Matthews, Guy Harrison and Tom Broome) recorded  Honest Woman live to tape at Roundhead Studios to capture the musical mastery and emotion that’s so evident in their live performances. The album is expected to be released in July on vinyl via Border Music and digitally via DRM. ‘Honest Woman’ is out today on streaming services.

About Milly Tabak & The Miltones

“They’ve emerged fully formed as a confident band with a strong, idiosyncratic style and a lead guitar and vocalist that make them the match for anyone releasing Americana music in New Zealand. 4.5/5” – James Belfield, New Zealand Listener on The Miltones

Milly Tabak takes a step forward with her second record Honest Woman, a deeply personal follow up to critically acclaimed 2017 self-titled debut The Miltones (Taite Prize Best Independent Debut).

A storyteller in the Americana tradition, Honest Woman sees Tabak draw inspiration from her own life and from those close to her on an album of songs about what it means to be a woman.

“I wanted to give a voice to those who didn’t have the chance to be heard. I also want people to recognise their own stories and find their own meaning in the lyrics.”

The heartfelt lyrics combine with a true Americana sound influenced by Tabak’s favourite releases from the Southern States, in particular the heyday Muscle Shoals studios. Recorded live at Auckland’s Roundhead Studios using vintage equipment and techniques, Honest Woman was mastered in Nashville by Paul Blackmore who was also responsible for Carolina Confessions, an album that has been hugely influential in Tabak’s songwriting.

The Miltones band is made up of some of Auckland’s most respected musicians, Liam Pratt (guitars), Chip Matthews (bass), Guy Harrison (keys and horns) and Tom Broome (drums).

“People love watching us play live and I wanted to capture that energy and sound on the album. We sound a lot sexier and soulful this time around,” laughs Tabak.  “Recording live really captured the movement of the music and all the human elements.”

“I knew I wanted to hear that warmth from recording to tape just like a lot of my favourite records, and with the added bonus of mixing through the Neve console at Roundhead, I decided we would take the plunge and record live. I want people to feel like they’re in the room with the band.”