Four platinum singles. Half a billion streams. Collaborations with Azealia Banks and The Chainsmokers. Primetime billing at the world’s biggest festivals.
At just 26, Grace Shaw, aka Mallrat, is one of the biggest names in Australian music. She’s shared the stage with Post Malone, Maggie Rogers and King Princess. She’s collaborated with Azealia Banks, The Chainsmokers and Benee. She’s been a guest on The Late Late Show with James Corden, and she’s about to head out on her biggest world tour yet – but not before she joins Kylie Minogue for a 10-date national arena spectacular.
She’s one of the nation’s proudest musical exports. But one burning question remains: can she eat?
Days out from the release of her eagerly anticipated sophomore LP Light hit my face like a straight right, here’s Shaw, aka Mallrat, answering the question in delicious detail.
My local is the Builders Arms. I love being able to sit outside with a chilled red and people-watch. They recently started serving Guinness there, which means nothing to me, but my housemate Lachie loves it and I call it his “boy matcha”.
I know I’m in Melbourne when I see a hot person wearing an outfit that is so outlandishly ugly that it rewires my brain. This reads as more mean-spirited than I would like it to; it’s a roundabout compliment because they make it look hot and cool.
My favourite place to stock up on supplies is Hinoki Japanese Pantry. Every time I go there I try one new thing. The last thing I loved was a chestnut daifuku. I’m waiting for a special occasion to eat my Hello Kitty udon noodles.
The best new thing I’ve found is Luther’s Scoops ice-cream. The apple crumble flavour is my favourite.
My favourite spot for a pre-gig feed is not Shop Ramen. Delicious ramen, but a siren song that will stop you from going out and dancing. I have made this mistake so many times.
And for a post-show nightcap, it simply must be… I haven’t found the perfect spot yet; I wish more places with courtyards were open until 3am. Am I missing something?
When I just want coffee for breakfast, I go to Burnside. The staff are so lovely and the coffee is great. So fun to sit out the front and people-watch on Smith and Gertrude streets.
And if I just want warm cups of tea, I stay home.
When I want to really go crazy on a fancy meal, I usually change my mind and go to Mesob in Northcote instead. This was my introduction to Ethiopian food. I love to share a big platter of stewed veggies on injera with my friends.
When I want to show off the city to friends from out of town, I like to take them to Ballard’s in Thornbury. This is by far my favourite restaurant ever, nothing else comes close. It has so much heart and the menu makes me drool. I generally try to round up a group of four for dinner here, so we can get lots of different things to share.
There’s no better value in Melbourne than the Hare Krishna restaurants. I haven’t visited them all recently enough to decide on a favourite, but wow does it rock to have several vegan curries, dessert, rice, papadums, and an iced tea for 14ish dollars.
If I could change one thing about eating and drinking here it would be fewer sardines surely.
But the one thing I hope never changes in Melbourne is the care people put into things that they make, and the effort people put into getting dressed. All of these beautiful creative expressions make being out and about such a joy.
Light hit my face like a straight right releases Friday 14 February. Check out the film clip for ‘Pavement’ here, and buy tickets to her world tour here. lilmallrat.com, @lilmallrat