Full Flower Moon Band’s Babyshakes talks huge euro tour, small town memories

The mastermind behind one of Australia’s top new bands reflects on her James Nash days, schooling with The Amity Affliction, and opportunities for Gympie’s new generation.

From small town beginnings to sold-out shows across Australia, Gympie musical powerhouse Kate Herrington has given an exclusive peek into her biggest collaboration to-date ahead of a jam-packed European tour.

Better known as “Babyshakes” Dillon, Kate is the brains behind Full Flower Moon Band, one of Australia’s hottest emerging acts whose top three songs alone have amassed more than 1.5 million streams on Spotify.

The self-described “goody two-shoes” throughout her James Nash years is making waves in the rock scene with an unabashed stage presence, gritty riffs and diverse musical catalogue.

Kate said her on-stage “Babyshakes” persona allowed her to separate her personal life from her artistry, and give more to her performance.

Kate "Babyshakes" Dillon is the lead singer and mind behind Full Flower Moon Band, who have attracted a big following since their release of Diesel Forever in 2022. Picture: Full Flower Moon Band

“I already feel like a different person on set,” she said.

“The persona really helped me because it was almost like where I was meant to be was different to what I turned into.

“I mean if it was up to me, I’d be a Disney star at the age of 13.

“It really allowed me to let go of that and just give something different,” not just for herself, but the audience also, she said.

Full Flower Moon Band is known for its captivating live sets, such as an audience pass-the-parcel during a performance in Brisbane.

“I remember that one; I only told the band just before we went out we were going to do it, and they were like, bro!” Kate said.

“As we continue to scale and grow as a band, I’d like to bring that into all elements of the show.

Kate "Babyshakes" Dillon gave this publication an exclusive announcement of an upcoming collaboration with Nick Allbrook from the wildly successful band Pond.

“Imagine if there was astro-turf covering the entire venue.

“We are creating entertainment at the end of the day, that’s something I always remind myself of.”

Full Flower Moon Band is a five-person ensemble soon headed to Europe to tour France, Spain, Germany, the UK and Denmark.

“It’s going to be crazy, but super exciting, we’re all just trying to remember to take our vitamins on the road,” 34-year-old Babyshakes said.

“It’s very much an ‘introduce ourselves’ exercise” to a broader audience,” she said.

The band’s 2024 album Megaflower represented an evolution in Babyshakes’ hard-hitting rock sound cemented in their earlier album Diesel Forever.

“I remember like a year after (Diesel Forever) came out I sat down and listened to it, and I think people really understood what I was going for.

“The fans kind of helped me realise that (Diesel Forever) was a hard rock album.

“There were a lot more nuanced and diverse songs I wanted to put out there on Megaflower” which has received widespread critical acclaim for its big and bold sound.

Kate "Babyshakes" Dillon performing at King Street Bandroom, Newcastle. Picture: Full Flower Moon Band

Full Flower Moon Band has an upcoming single with Nick Allbrook from the wildly successful psychedelic rock band Pond, who has close ties with world-famous Perth act Tame Impala.

“I’m just so honoured,” Babyshakes said.

The video clip for the new single began filming on July 22, 2025.

Gympie is no stranger to musical success — Kate said she was just a few grades below members of the highly successful metal band The Amity Affliction at James Nash High School.

“I was kind of scared of them in school, they were part of that ‘straight edge’ thing at the time, they’d walk around with these black stars on their hands like ‘hey, we’re straight edge’,” she said.

Growing up, Kate said she was aware of the group, and had friends who were inspired by their style.

Babyshakes performed to a packed-out audience at Gympie Music Hall on June 27 for the Space Girls Festival. Picture: Space Girls Festival

“I was too much of a goody two-shoes... I probably wasn’t that cool back then,” she said.

Kate got into making music quite late, but used to listen to her dad's tapes and CDs in Gympie, filled with classic rock artists like Led Zeppelin.

With three studio albums under her belt, she returned to Gympie for a packed-out solo performance at the local Music Hall for Space Girls Festival on June 27.

“It was just so, so special,” she said.

“The organisers were amazing. I always love coming back to Gympie.”

With her parents still in town, Kate has a deep affection for her home turf.

“Some of my best education came before I even left town and that is with you right now on your doorstep.”

“Living legends” like Darren Hanlon, who has toured and collaborated with prominent Australian names, live in Gympie, along with the Australian Institute of Country Music, she said.

“As much as it can feel like a little town with not that much going on, the opportunity is there.

“There’s so many amazing artists living on your doorstep, and what better place than among the beautiful trees and greenery?”