Wild French cabaret flirts with the earthy grooves of pacifica-dub. The Mamaku Project's new show is an intoxicating affair of multi-lingual noir poetry, electro-oriental-jazz, bohemian melodies and a sprinkling of circus, tempered by a cluster of deep ballads. Led by the Kiwi/French duo Tui Mamaki & Monsieur Escargot, the show delivers a brilliant bi-lingual forage into themes of a disquiet earth.

The Mamaku Project is playing on Friday March 13 at The Famous Spiegeltent, part of Red Square, a multi-venue hub based in the Aotea Centre precinct.

During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?
Pre-dawn till 10am.

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?
Natural Beatnik.

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?
Discovering new territory in my voice.

How does your environment affect your work?
Hugely. Simplicity, proximity to nature and some solitude is ideal.

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?
Both, in cycles of zooming out and zooming in.

What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?
Enjoy people. Enjoy your work. Stay connected to your vision and passion.

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?
The Mamaku Project

Who or what has inspired you recently?
A course called ‘Causing the Miraculous’ with Landmark Education.

If you could go back and choose a completely different career path to the one you've chosen, what would it be?
Trapeze Artist.

What place is always with you, wherever you go?
The Pyrenee mountains in the South West of France

What's the best way to listen to music, and why?
Live, or on a beautiful sound system, with space around you move, stretch or be still, as you wish. Because it allows you to experience the sound rather than just hear it.

You are given a piece of string, a stick and some fabric. What do you make?
A flag.

What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?
Pranayam breathing. Remembering I am as tiny as an ant and that I will die like we all will.

What's great about today?
There is time for people. There is time for creativity.

What’s great about the Auckland Festival 2009?
Festivity. Contrast. Broadening artistic horizons. And on an unabashed self-promotion note, discovering the THE MAMAKU PROJECT’s electro-organic sessions MAL DE TERRE, to be premiered in THE FAMOUS SPIEGELTENT on FRIDAY the 13th of March!!!

What’s your big idea for 2009?
That’s a secret. But otherwise, it’s a year to be enjoyed, where things you love come into reality.