Mitch James

Mitch James (born 26 June 1995) is a singer and songwriter from Auckland, New Zealand. He is best known for his songs "Bright Blue Skies", "Sunday Morning", "No Fixed Abode", "Move On" and "21" which have featured in the Official New Zealand Music Charts. His self-titled first album debuted at #2 on the New Zealand chart, #1 on the NZ Artist Album Chart and has since been certified Platinum by Recorded Music NZ.

Mitch James
Birth nameMitchell James
Born (1995-06-26) 26 June 1995
OriginAuckland, New Zealand
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • singer-songwriter
  • guitarist
Instruments
Years active2015–present
LabelsSony Music
Associated actsEd Sheeran Six60
Websitemitchjamesmusic.com

Life and career

Early life

James was raised in Auckland, New Zealand, where he attended Saint Kentigern College. James taught himself how to play the guitar at the age of 14 by studying YouTube tutorial videos. James has stated that school "wasn't fun" for him and that music became something of a refuge.[1] At age 16 James found inspiration in the likes of Ben Howard and Ed Sheeran.[2] At age 17 James finished school and travelled to London on a one-way airfare in pursuit of a break into the music industry.[1][3]

2015–16: Breakthrough and early releases

In 2015, while in Europe, James began recording and editing cover videos on his phone and sharing them on Facebook and Youtube.[3][4][5] In 2016, New Zealand musician Maala spotted one of the videos and shared it with A&R staff at Sony Music New Zealand. James returned to New Zealand and signed with the label shortly after.[6][7]

On 1 December 2016 James released his first single "No Fixed Abode" along with its accompanying music video. On 9 December 2016 James released his second single "Move On".[8] Later that month James made his debut festival appearance as a featured performer at Rhythm and Vines in Gisborne, New Zealand.[9]

In January 2017, James performed at Bay Dreams festival in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand.[10] In March 2017, James completed The Humble Roadie Tour, a ten date national tour of New Zealand. James and his crew travelled the entire length of the tour in a custom Kombi van.[11][2]

In mid 2017 James released four singles through Sony Music: "Won't Bother Me" on 29 June 2017, "Saving Time" on 6 July 2017, "Lucid" on 13 July 2017 and "All The Ways To Say Goodbye" on 27 July 2017. All The Ways To Say Goodbye was later certified Gold by RMNZ in October 2018.

James indicated he intended to release his debut album in October/November 2017.[3]

2018–present: Debut Album

In May 2018, James released "21", the first single off his debut self-titled album, which was scheduled to be released in September 2018. 21 peaked at #2 on the NZ Singles chart. By October, "21" was certified Gold by RMNZ. 21 was then nominated for "Single Of The Year" at the New Zealand Music Awards.

James then went on to release his self-titled debut album "Mitch James" on September 14, 2018. The album debuted at #2 on the Overall NZ Music Chart, and #1 on the NZ Albums Chart. The album has garnered over 100,000,000 streams as of 1 September 2019 and has since been certified Platinum in New Zealand.

James embarked on his first major headline tour of New Zealand shortly after release.

James was nominated and won MTV Europe Music Award for Best New Zealand Act in October.

In March 2018, James opened for Ed Sheeran on his ÷ Tour for all 3 Dunedin dates.

In Summer 2019-2020 James opened for Six60 on their World Tour.

Discography

Albums
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
NZ
Mitch James 2

Singles
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
NZ[12]
"No Fixed Abode" 2016 — Mitch James
"All the Ways to Say Goodbye" 2017 —
  • RMNZ: Gold
"21" 2018 —
  • RMNZ: Platinum
"Old News" —
  • RMNZ: Gold
"Bright Blue Skies" 2019 —
  • RMNZ: Platinum
  • ARIA: Platinum
"Sunday Morning" 37 TBA

Awards and Nominations
Year Nominee/Work Award Result
2018 Mitch James MTV Europe Music Award for Best New Zealand Act Won[13]
2018 21 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards for Single of the Year Nominated[14]
2017 Mitch James Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards for Best Pop Act Nominated
2019 Mitch James 2019 VAC Benny Awards : Top Male Artist Won

Tours
  • Humble Roadie Tour[11] (2017)
  • NZ and Australia Album Tour (2018)
  • Bright Blue Skies UK and NZ Tour (2019)

References
  1. "Mitch James: Making it happen with 20 pounds and a guitar". Stuff. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  2. "Five minutes with Mitch James – Remix Magazine". Remix Magazine. 28 March 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  3. "Mitch James on how to get signed to a major label by busking around Europe". The Spinoff. 14 March 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  4. "Broke Kiwi musician given gig in front of hundreds after stranger overhears his SOS call". 1 NEWS NOW. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  5. "Mitch James". YouTube. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  6. staff, Newstalk ZB. "Kiwi singer Mitch James: From cleaning cars to a record deal". www.newstalkzb.co.nz. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  7. "From sleeping rough to a record deal: How Kiwi singer Mitch James made it in music". Stuff. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  8. "Introducing.... Mitch James | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  9. "Mitch James". Rhythm and Vines. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  10. "New Year's festival Bay Dreams announces first 2017 line up". Stuff. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  11. "Mitch James' 'Humble Roadie Tour' kicks off tomorrow night". Libel. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  12. "DISCOGRAPHY MITCH JAMES". Charts.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  13. "Kiwi star Mitch James wins MTV EMA". NZ Herald. 4 November 2018. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
  14. "Mitch James". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
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