Project Description

Interview with

JENNY MITCHELL

Interviewer – Vicky Hebbs

.

.

.

.

Have you always made music? When did you know you could make this a career?
I grew up in a family that surrounded me in music I suppose. Dad is a great singer & had me singing pretty shortly after I could speak. So it’s always been part of my life, but I realised it was what I wanted to do with my life when I was around 13. I was writing at that stage and as soon as I experienced playing my own music to an audience I was hooked.

What kind of music did you grow up on? What artists inspired you and which do you still look to now for ideas?
I grew up on The Dixie Chicks, Johnny Cash, Dolly – a lot of American Country Music. But the first records I owned were The McClymonts, Shane Nicholson and a bunch of other Australian artists. My parents brought them back from Tamworth and I’m pretty sure my Walkman just about played them to death! These days, I’m really inspired by writers like Gregory Alan Isakov, Jason Isbell & Lucie Silvas. Anyone who sits on the edge of country I suppose.

Your music is smooth and soothing. How would you describe your sound? 
Well thanks! I’m glad you think so.It’s hard to describe your own sound. But I’d say it’s very lyric driven folk with country roots.

You just released your new single, ‘Troubadour.’ What inspired the song?
I’ve met a bunch of inspiring people but someone who’s always stuck in my brain is NZ songwriter Adam McGrath. I met him when I was much younger & he told me tales of life “on the road,” which sounded like a terrible lifestyle to me at the time! But I’ve certainly changed my tune since then. So it’s all about that change of mindset and describes how it feels to be a songwriter who has the strange, but beautiful honour of connecting with people on stage.

What is the concept of the music video? How did you decide on it? 
The clip is a metaphor of how it sometimes feels to travel & perform – it can be a lonely journey. I think every artist has performed & felt like they’re the only one in the room & I wanted to create a visual of that idea. It was important that it was “one-take” video. No smoke & mirrors. Live, raw & real.
The idea of the empty theatre actually came from my dear friend Amy Laidlaw. We were on a long drive, the idea came up & I knew it was a winner.

Can you share the inspiration behind your album ‘Wildfires’?
Wildfires is a narrative from start to finish, it explores my first love & consequently the heartbreak of that love, feeling lost, leaving home & then finding some peace in the realisation that life doesn’t always have to make sense.

Which tracks would you call “signature” pieces for you?
I think Troubadour is a definite signature. So Far is another special one that sums up my life & Ends of the Earth tells the story of my grandparent’s migration from Ireland. That’s a really big part of who I am so I’d say that’s a signature tune to.

.

.

What is your favorite track on the album and why?
Each track holds different meaning in my heart. But, when I heard the final mix for Troubadour for the first time, I was so overwhelmed. I knew it was exactly the type of music I wanted to make.

Where will you be touring this year? 
I’m setting off on my first NZ nationwide tour. From the Deep South to the top. & I hope to get back to Australia later in the year.

What is your favourite thing about being on tour? Are there any downsides? 
Connecting with people I otherwise never would have met. Downsides, missing birthday & weddings & what not.

How does it feel to perform onstage? 
It sounds cliché, but it feels like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. Whatever worries I’ve got totally disappear and it’s a time I can really be present in a moment. Which is hard to come by!

If you could pick absolutely anyone to bring on tour with you, whom would you pick and why? (Dead or Alive)
I think Cam would have some pretty good stories & I think we’d have a lot in common.

What’s next for you in 2019?
Balancing university & getting ready for my NZ tour is taking up most of my time at the moment. I really can’t wait to see more of my beautiful country!

What are your longer-term aspirations as a music artist? Where do you see yourself in three years?
In three years, I hope to have graduated & done a whole lot more touring. I’d also like to have learnt some new tricks on the guitar. Long-term, I hope to be creating for my whole life, in some capacity. I dream of a career playing to story loving audiences who always want to have a cup of tea with me after the show.

Finally, a few questions for some quick answers –
FAVORITE:
Album – This Empty Northern Hemisphere, Gregory Alan Isakov
Artist – That’s such a hard one! But Brandi Carlile inspires me a lot at the moment.
Movie – O Brother Where Art Thou
Place to visit – Ireland
Food = Roast Pumpkin
Drink – Coffee
Person in History – Jacinda Ardern. I watch her make history almost every day of the week.
Tattoo – I have an acorn on my left arm.

.

BUY ‘TROUBADOUR’ HERE

.

Follow JENNY MITCHELL
WEBSITE   FACEBOOK   INSTAGRAM

.

.

.

Wildfires Bio – 2018

Wildfires is an album that tells stories through the eyes of a sometimes introverted, sometimes extroverted, old soul from the Deep South of New Zealand.

Jenny Mitchell is New Zealand’s brightest rising star, blending country, folk and Americana into her own captivating style. Influenced by Gillian Welch, Allison Krauss & Australian artists such as Shane Nicholson & Sara Storer, Jenny’s love for storytelling is at the core of her craft.

This songwriter has won a NZ Gold Guitar Award, MLT Songwriting Award, Southland Entertainer of the Year Award & is a graduate from the Australian Academy of Country Music. Her debut album The Old Oak, debuted at number 1 on the NZ Country iTunes Charts, Number 2 on the Independent Music NZ Charts & received critical acclaim from around the globe.

Wildfires was recorded with an All-Australian cast, with award winning producer Matt Fell leading the team.

With the likes of Shane Nicholson (acoustics), Glen Hannah (electric guitar), Luke Moller (fiddle) & Josh Schuberth (percussion & drums) this album was destined for greatness.

The title track describes an intoxicating, passionate relationship amongst a swampy Americana feel. Wildfires paints a picture of what it feels like to be in the eye of a toxic relationship storm featuring haunting, gritty fiddle from the wonderful Luke Moller. After deciding it would work well in a tarentino shoot out, Jenny’s Dad has confirmed this is one of his favourites.

“This song was my way of justifying to those around me, & to myself, why I stayed in a pretty chaotic relationship. Even if it wasn’t the most logical choice at the time!’”

The record then takes an unexpected turn as Jenny pours her heart out in the soulful, acoustic track that is Puppet. The subtle genius of Matt Fell is evident here as it becomes apparent that his production style and Jenny’s writing are a perfect match. The vulnerable theme continues in Worth It All, a track that is confronts it’s listeners with honesty as it speaks the true consequences of an unfaithful first love.

“The voice of a lioness, the soul of a sage” – Luka Bloom.

We then meet the crowd favourite One Day. You can hear & feel Jenny’s playful smile as she sings, “One day, you’ll wake up & you’ll realise. That the reason you like coffee so much, is ‘cause it matches my eyes.”

A song of independence and recognising self worth, and a turning point in the narrative of the album. The next track was born in the Otago University library as Jenny researched the political battle of ownership the South China Sea. No matter where or how you hear The Ocean is guaranteed to stop you in your tracks.

Lyrics such as, “but if it was nothing, I’d have never been there in the first place,” will take the audience back to a special place in time & remind a heart why it hurt so damn much.

While most songs were written in her homeland, the Celtic feel of Ends of the Earth was born in a backpackers in central Dublin. We find ourselves now wrapped in a migration story of Jenny’s Irish grandparents as Jenny sings, “missing home makes you lonely, swear I nearly lost my mind & I prayed, for forgiveness for leaving my mamma behind.” Shelia & Joe Brouder were one of the many who left Ireland in the 1950’s in search of a better future & in late 2017 Jenny travelled to Ireland to reconnect with her family there.

“During that trip, meeting their sisters, brothers & nieces & nephews, it really hit me how much they had left behind & after only spending a month there I feel like I left part of my heart behind – so I really can’t fathom how hard it must have been for them to leave.”

Perhaps it’s that gypsy blood that’s led to Jenny feeling most at home on the road. Her travelling tendencies are found in the words of Troubadour, a song that inspired by a conversation with the prolific NZ Songwriter Adam McGrath. This reveals the true folk style found in a lot of Jenny’s writing & is set to be a highlight of the album for many.

“I can vividly remember speaking to Adam about life as a touring musician when I was about 13 years old & at the time I couldn’t understand how one could be so transient.. but I’ve definitely caught the bug!”

Jenny is often found driving through the breathtaking roads of the NZ’s Southern Alps, but in 2017 she found herself singing her stories on an island in the Balctic Sea & in warm, cosy pubs around her spiritual homeland – Ireland. Shortly after her return from the Northern Hemisphere the warm tones of Travelling Bones were born in an empty hotel room in Leichhardt (Sydney). In this track Jenny reflects on a whirlwind year of music & travel as she sings,“All I know is no-one knows, what should & shouldn’t be. & right now runnin’ makes me feel free.” An ode to the life of a travelling musician, Travelling Bones explores the internal tug of war between wanting to settle down & find stability & the burning desire to discover & explore.

“This was the last song written for the record & I think it’s my way of explaining why I’m no longer chasing the white picket fence dream. I always pictured myself being a real homebody but in the process of letting go of old love & leaving home I’ve really got to know myself a lot more & am beginning to understand what makes me tick might not be what I always planned it would be.”

Growing up on a strict diet of Hank, Dolly & Johnny, Jenny’s musical beginnings came from a place of traditional country. These country roots are front in centre in the father-daughter duet Thing Called Love. Ron Mitchell, Jenny’s father, delivers a performance bound to bring a tear to anyone’s eye with his rich vocals sitting effortlessly between the swings & sways of this track.

“I didn’t realise the importance of this one until after we’d recorded it. It really summarises the healing journey that everyone goes through after a first heartbreak & it was so special to be able to highlight the support I received from my parents during that time. I wish there were more songs written about that.”

Let Me Be is another stand out track, one that will appeal to those outside of the country genre. The strong percussion is flavoured by an emotive string section. Released in early 2018 in a Nashville country style, Let Me Be is a song based on the relationship between Jenny’s parents.

“The first lines of this song were inspired by my Dad’s love of honey on toast & mum’s love of wine. They’ve taught me that love is all about the little ways in which you can make your other half feel good & I’ve always been really inspired by their relationship.”

A whole new flavour is added to the album in track 11. Arms was inspired by Jenny watching her close friends swear they want to stay young & unattached, shortly before finding love that completely changes their perspective. With an indie folk vibe, Arms features a goosebump inducing build that takes it’s listener s on a journey they won’t be expecting.

The record closes with the award winning track So Far. A perfect example Jenny’s ability to write a deeply personal song that every audience member can find a piece of themselves in.

“So Far is a reflection on all the love that I’ve been surrounded with growing up, while acknowledging the mistakes I’ve made along the way. Particularly after leaving home, I’ve realised how lucky I am to have the friends & family that I do & I really wanted to express that in a song.”

To those who are familiar with Jenny’s previous work, this album will surprise & perhaps even challenge your perception of the curly haired, country girl from Gore. After three years of honing her craft, it’s apparent that Jenny has grown into an artist who is not afraid to stand out from the crowd & create music that follows no trends or genre expectations.

“An artist who knows exactly who she is and feels no need to give way” – Southland Times NZ.

From the first word to the last, Wildfires will take each listener through a journey of the bittersweet tang of leaving home, the fragility of first love & the importance of family told from an honest, travel loving heart from Southern NZ.

“She doesn’t deserve to be discovered more than forty years from now. She deserves to be listened to now.” – John Apice, No Depression Reviews (USA)

AMNPLIFY – DB