Nat Pavlovic’s newest record is, quite literally, music to our ears. Big Heart is exactly the kind of album you need to take you from first times to last times – and all the beautifully messy stuff in-between. Below, we chat to Nat about her latest release, the specialness of later-in-life besties, and her first memories involving music.

When was the first time you realised you wanted to be a musician? I have this drawing from when I was about seven of me on a stage and my full name (Nathalie) up in lights, backed by a full band. After that I changed to wanting to be a back-up singer and then a doctor and then a journalist, but I somehow made it back to where I am now (part-time musician, full-time music-lover).

When was the last time you did something creative that wasn’t music? I recently learnt how to crochet over summer – so far, I have only made a square but I have grand bonnet plans.

What was the first song you finished for your new album, Big Heart? The very first track “You’re Good (feat. Buffy Duffy)” I wrote almost 10 years ago – it was from a time when I was feeling pretty disillusioned by music, so it was cool to repurpose it for this album and reclaim those feelings.

What was the last project you released via your label, Blossom Rot Records? Mega Fäuna’s sparkling soaring softmore. They were one of the first bands we signed and it’s been so special to grow with them and now release their first full length album on vinyl.

What is the first record you loved as a kid? Apart from my Spice Girls “Stop” single CD, I have very cherished memories of being a kid and going through my parents’ record collection, and choosing the ones I’d want them to play (I wasn’t allowed to touch the record player). Faves included The Beatles (The White Album) – “Revolution 9” was hilarious at the time – and Neil Young’s Harvest Moon.

When was the last time you made a new friend? My song “Lucky” is about one of my newest and dearest friends Emma Russack. It’s cool making friends later in life ’cos you get to learn about someone new and also teach them about yourself without any of the prior intel to cloud it.

Describe the first time you played a live show. I was 17 and played at the local “Blues and Roots” night in the hills of Perth/Boorloo – I was so shy and nervous and the lighting was very bright, so it’s only been uphill from there (apart from travelling down the hills into the city).

And the last time you played live? Me and the band played one of the Social Sanctuary Monday night free shows at Northcote Social Club in Melbourne/Naarm. I’ve been going to those for years (back when it was called Monday Night Mass) so it was awesome to finally play one.

Where is the first place that you’ll be launching Big Heart? I’m doing an in-store at Rocksteady Records which is this super-cute record store in Melbourne CBD. It also happens to be Record Store Day that day, so there’s a bunch of other bands playing and lots of special records to lovingly caress and spend the money I don’t have on. I love Record Store Day.

What is the last thing you do before you get on stage? Hug my band. :)

After more top-notch muso chats? Feast your eyes on our chinwag with Georgia Fields or check out our chat with Miss Kaninna. Plus, sign up to our newsletter to stay in the loop.