Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Millie Manders fronts rising London-based four-piece Millie Manders and the Shutup, who formed nine years ago and have built a loyal and growing following from their powerful grass roots gigs and their activism and charity work.
A band this magazine has tipped for success for the last five years or so.
We dug their October 2020 debut album, “Telling Truths, Breaking Ties” and we loved the follow-up, their excellent second album, “Wake Up, Shut Up, Work”, which was released in August 2024.
It was this magazine’s “Album of the month” back then and had a deserved five star review. It reached #3 in the UK rock & metal album chart and #6 in the UK independent album chart.
The band have just embarked on their biggest UK tour to-date, which kicked off in Brighton on 24th October and closes on 16th November in Norwich, where Millie is originally from. Support on the tour comes from Norway’s Ramona’s Tea Party.
STOP PRESS: A new London date has just been announced: Camden’s Dingwalls on Thursday 13th February, which will feature a horn section and string trio.
Millie Manders: Vocals, guitar, alto sax / Joe Quigley: guitar / Georgina Boreham: bass / Pete Wright: drums and samples.
Catching up with Millie on the eve of the tour, she commented: “This tour is in bigger venues, and it is quite scary but exciting. There is a lot of trust in us from our management team and booking team. There is more production, we have a crew out with us, and a photographer and videographer.
“We’ve kind of upped our game in terms of what we look and sound like, and with a whole new album we have a whole new set with new songs, and that changes the vibe of the party.”
Millie describes the band’s live performance as, “high energy, with politically-charged talking points; we talk a lot about mental health and world issues. It’s also really bouncy, and we try to bring a lot of dance and a party vibe to the room. It is a mixed bag, but it’s lively.”
After the tour and the festive season is over, plans for 2025 include writing new material and the release of a new single, “Me Too” in January, a song taken from the new album.
There will be a range of limited edition merchandise too, raising funds for three different charities: A rape charity, a domestic abuse charity and a sex workers’ charity.
For influences, Millie Manders says, “anything bouncy, screamy, different, mould breaking, ground breaking or just damn good”.
If punky, ballsy, incendiary female-fronted stuff is your thing, grab a ticket for the tour and the band’s two albums and we think you’ll be glad you did.
Millie Manders: Track Record
1. First song you recall hearing as a child?
I was playing instruments from when I was five, and my mum and dad played music constantly when I was a child, so I was surrounded by a plethora of music from the minute I was born. So I don’t think I can say one particular song….I remember “Black Sunday” by Cypress Hill being an album that was played continually in the house; so that would be 1990.
The first song I learned on the clarinet when I was seven was “The Pink Panther” theme [by Henry Mancini for the Peter Sellers’ films]. I was very much into big band jazz when I was a kid and at eight, I went to a theatre to watch Herb Miller and his orchestra [Glen Miller’s brother]. I met him and the band and got an LP autographed. I also met Acker Bilk, my clarinetting (sic) hero! I passed my Grade 5 when I was 11…
2. First single you owned?
“Ready To Go” by Republica, and “Here Comes The Hotstepper” by Ini Kamoze on cassette, which was my older sister’s and she gave it to me.
3. First LP/album you owned?
“Herb Miller Experience” by The Herb Miller Orchestra on vinyl. On CD: “Alisha Rules The World” by Alisha’s Attic.
4. First CD you owned?
Alisha’s Attic: “Alisha Rules The World”.
5. Last music you bought and in what format (CD/vinyl/digital download)?
At a record fair, I got a whole bunch of really cool vinyl albums: The Bangles: “Different Light”. JP Cooper: “She”. Salt-n- Pepa: “A Salt With A Deadly Pepa”. PJ Harvey: “White Chalk Demos. “Lebanon” by Raja. Green Day: “Dookie”.
6. Which album would you be happy to receive as a gift?
Any ‘Hole’ album on vinyl.
7. Favourite album? (Choose more than one if need be…)
dan le sac Vs Scroobius Pip trilogy: “Angles” (2008), “The Logic Of Chance” (2010), “Repeat Replenish Repeat” (2013). “Rage Against The Machine” by Rage Against The Machine. “Pink’s Greatest Hits”. Skunk Anansie: “Stoosh. All of these albums have influenced me in one way or another…
8. Best record ever made (can be single/album/EP – and choose more than one if need be)?
Choose any or all of the above [answer to # 7]. They are all brilliant records.
9. Guilty secret (or anything unusual or perhaps unexpected) in your music collection?
I like to cook to Salsa.
10. What does music mean to you and how does it make you feel?
Therapy, release, stories, inspiration, catharsis, community.
11. Which song or album is a guaranteed mood booster?
Anything Salsa or Reggaeton.
12. Which song or album would be the soundtrack to a film about your life?
My life is so multi-faceted, I don’t think I can answer this question.
13. Your favourite driving track – or music to exercise to?
I have two playlists for going to the gym. Let me have a look….Nova Twins, Stand Atlantic, Dream State, Press Club, Meet Me At The Altar, We Are The Union, Doll Skin, Hot Milk, Cassyete…and lots more.
14. Best song or album for a romantic moment ?
I don’t really listen to romantic / love songs – I find it really icky! But Mark and I like Deftones or Dregg to listen to together, which probably isn’t very romantic! It’s screamy and fun!
15. Which song was played for the “First Dance” at your wedding (if you are married) or which song would you choose if you did get married?
[Milly laughs and refers to her answer to the previous question!] Let’s say I’d choose Jive Bunny Remix!! I found a Jive Bunny album in a charity shop a few days ago and that went straight on when I got home.
16. Your choice of song to sing at karaoke?
If I am forced to sing at karaoke, I always sing Mariah Carey’s “Heroes” badly on purpose.
17. Which song takes you back to your childhood – and to which specific memory/memories?
Probably the songs on the Cypress Hill album “Black Sunday”, because my dad would play it in the lounge and we’d hold on to his belt and dance around the lounge in a line of four sisters and my dad, like a little conga.
18. Favourite band (or bands)?
It changes all the time. Ramona’s Tea Party need a shout out, who have just released a fantastic song called “Fireworks”, and they are coming over from Norway to tour with us. Riskee and the Ridicule. Menstrual Cramps. Lambrini Girls. Nova Twins. Delilah Bon.
19. Favourite singer (or singers)?
Pink, Skin, Dolores O’Riordan, Gwen Stefani, Aretha Franklin.
20. Which song would you like played at your funeral?
I don’t want a funeral – I want to be planted like a tree. I don’t want a song played. I find it really weird…
Posed Millie / Band photos x 5 by Tina K
Live photos x 4 by our ace snapper Manja Williams [@ Patterns in Brighton, 24th October 2024 on 1st night of current UK tour]
Words by Steve Best
