MANILA, Philippines — New Zealand-based singer-songwriter Mitch James chronicles all his “ups and downs in life” for the past four years in his just-released record titled patience.
During his recent visit to the country, he detailed to select members of the press his music, life challenges and personal experiences. He was the front act to British pop superstar Calum Scott in the latter’s Manila show at the New Frontier Theatre last Oct. 20. He performed his originals Got Today, Bright Blue Sky and Japan, and his latest track motions.
The pop track motions, which is included in patience, is now out in all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. It has been gaining consistent airplay in various local radio stations.
Motions is “about a song, basically trying to find a silver lining when life gets hard and challenging,” he mused. “Over the last few years, my parents have been sick with cancer and I’ve lost friends to cancer, suicide, my own health went bad for a bit and COVID and everything with the music industry and so, it’s just a very challenging time for me… But I always look for the silver lining, the bright side of everything. So, the song is basically trying to find that silver lining.”
Interestingly, Mitch’s other single Japan is based on a past relationship. “My ex-girlfriend, we were planning to go to Japan and then, she dumped me. I was at a band practice and I was going through Instagram and I saw that she went on a holiday without me,” the singer shared.
The experience prompted him to pen a song about it. “That’s a very particular instance (where) I like to make all of that with real things. Because I feel that’s where people can connect — when they sense that it’s real.”
On what keeps him going during those tough times, Mitch told The STAR: “I think just the love for what I do like when I play on stage and I get to have that connection with people. That’s what makes me happy, seeing them happy. So, to have that drive, to keep going because of seeing how much it means to all the people, I can’t give up on everyone.”
It’s a “nice reminder” for him to “look back (on) photos of shows and remember how I felt because all the people are feeling that way and it’s hard to give up when you have people that rely on you like that.”
The 27-year-old Kiwi artist was also featured in one of Ed Sheeran concerts and he wants to collaborate on a song with the hitmaker someday. “He’s exactly how you perceived him to be. He is so humble, so down to earth, caring and a genuine person.”
It was an “extreme honor” for him to be part of his long-time music hero’s shows. “When I (watched) an Ed Sheeran concert when I was 16, that was the moment where I was like this is what I wanna do with my life. And so, it comes full circle to be sharing the same stage with Ed.”
He further opened up about that “very special moment.” “It was my second hometown in NZ and (there were) 40,000 people every night, three nights in a row and that was just a very surreal and very beautiful experience for me and my family, my friends just to see it come full circle. Ed was just cherry on top. The man himself off behind the music was just… he was just such a sweetheart and such a lovely guy.”
Moreover, his brief stay in the Philippines has been “amazing” and he plans to return to the country to explore more of the beaches and perhaps collaborate with Filipino artists.
“My impression of the Filipino people so far has just been top-notch. (They’ve) just been amazing, passionate, genuine (and) caring people.” The Auckland-born performer learned a few Tagalog lines such as “Salamat, kumusta and mahal ko kayo” during his stay.
“I love every bit of the culture that I’ve experienced so far, the genuine love and I cannot wait to come back… (during) holidays, go to the beaches (and) work on my tan a little bit. It’s gonna be nice to spend some proper time in the Philippines,” Mitch added.
He hopes to stage a solo concert in Manila next year.