The Mitchell Twins come from the heart of Country music Aotearoa and declare their intentions to dance beneath the diamond skies and hit the endless ribbon of music highway with their debut concert at Kumeu Live.
Nicola Mitchell and Maegan Mitchell come from Gore in the Deep South of New Zealand. They were born into a country music family. Father Ron was a huge Johnny Cash fan and keen local musician. Along with older sister Jenny Mitchell, the future family music dynasty was launched. Maybe with a little of the Willie Nelsons’ easing the patriarch’s path.
I first encountered the twins when they played one of the headline evenings at the 2021 Auckland Folk Festival, backing sister Jenny. She has since blossomed out, so now it’s the younger siblings’ time.
They have played on shows behind the Topp Twins, Delaney Davidson, Barry Saunders, Nadia Reid and others, here and in Australia. They are seasoned professionals in a sense.
It is fitting they are launching their first EP Find a River, released the previous day, from the boutique arts centre Kumeu Live. Less than a kilometre from that festival.
Tami Neilson co-wrote and produced the EP, which is echoed in the overall tone.
Margaret’s Song is a reflective and quiet Folk reverie on the ravages of dementia. Which can be a curse and a blessing. They phrase it more eloquently. They say time heals/ Sometimes it steals.
Reasons is a kiss-off, and why don’t you just piss off song. Some of the sassy attitude that Neilson can bring. Maegan takes the lead. Similar to the Judds in the way the harmony voice wraps around and elevates.
Alone Again has similar sentiments, with the rhythmic drive and cadences of Seventies Nashville.
Find a River sounds like an early classic for the Mitchells’. Written as an homage to Lynda and Jools Topp in their twilight time. Country Americana in the way the Band could be, linking to older mystical roots.
That is the EP, and they seal it with an embrace by covering the Topp Twin’s Milestones.
Rodney Fisher
Rodney Fisher may have the Critics Curse of cult favourite. It could also be that he is ubiquitous, appearing in many guises. Including Goodshirt, Terrible Sons, Mixed Veg or Vag.
He plays music across a wide Indie palette, from Rock to Folk to Pop. Tonight, it’s sort of improv, no-setlist, warm and friendly.
He has been working with musicians called the Response lately, from Wellington.
Sings with a nice Folk tenor, and the ability to sustain in the higher register brings a more intense soulful experience. On a song with the line money can buy you freedom.
Keeping Up Appearances is from the Terrible Sons and some appropriately indulgent wordplay.
Clever and funny lyrics. Singing about going to Hamilton and pretending it’s an exotic holiday whilst professing I always want to stay with you.
He covers the Cure’s Just Like Heaven accompanied with a fine Folk guitar jangle.
Mitchell Twins
The Mitchells are proud of their Tainui heritage. They open their concert with a mixed te reo and English song about the Hokanui hills and their homelands.
Their time with kapa haka groups at St Peters College also produces a waiata with a strong Fifties Country music flavour.
If they were slightly nervous to start, this is banished with the third song, which is brand new and begins with if you really don’t want me. It swings and the voices contain a faint yodel in the phrasing.
A gem was a cover of Brandi Clark’s Dear Insecurity. Don’t try to flirt with me/ You show up in my mirror. Their phrasing and harmonies turn this into Country Soul, and a perfect answer to the Otis Reddings classic, Security.
The Mitchell Twins have got their eyes clearly on the legacy of the Topp Twins, and with a little help from their influential friends they are launched and on the way.
Rev Orange Peel
Tickets available at Under The Radar