September 29, 2024 • 8 mins
Kiwi singer Mitch James joined us on The Hits. He opened up about the reasons behind his decision to quit music.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
What type. Everyone, as you may have heard, made the
very tough decision to be stepping away from music after
this release. And it's a very sad situation. And when
I'm sure I'll get to talk about at length one day.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
What stepping away from music, You've got to be kidding me.
So we thought we've got to speak to the man
himself this morning, good friend at the show, Mitch James, Good.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
Morning, morning guys.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
You just fake news.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
Or what I wish it was. I wish it was,
but look, it's something I've been thinking about for a
long time, and unfortunately, the music industry is a very
crazy and sometimes evil place, and I just I just
couldn't do it anymore, which is a bit of a shame,
because you know, I've loved nothing more than being able
(00:47):
to play amazing shows and meet people at yourselves over
the years. But yeah, it just felt like the right time.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
I'm actually lost for words. I'm actually lost for words
because for me, it just seems such a I'm trying
to do like a sports analogy here for you. So
it's kind of like, if you like, when Richie mccaugh
was playing rugby, he just goes, I'm just going to
stop now at the peak of his career. I'm just
going to stop now. That's how I feel with you much.
I feel like You've got so many more songs in you.
Speaker 1 (01:17):
Well, I like you for you pe I do have
a few more coming out before I fully hang up
the boots. But the comparison to Richie McCaw is probably
the first and only time other than her, and I'll
take it.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Yeah, what can we? I mean, Look, you know I'm
hearing I'm sort of I don't know. This has taken
us all by surprise? Has there been has there been something?
Has something happened? What's caused this? Will we?
Speaker 3 (01:41):
Will we?
Speaker 2 (01:42):
I mean, will you one day reveal what's really gone
on here? Or do you just want to keep this private?
Speaker 1 (01:47):
Yeah? Well, I honestly, genuinely really hope to one day
have have the opportunity to tell the full story and
what's going on. I can't I can't really get into
the netty gritty right now, but I guess a simple
way to put it would be, it's the industry. It's
the industry and the you know, some people in certain
(02:08):
positions who have purposely made my life very very tough
for reasons which I think are quite pathetic, but they Basically,
the short and sharp version is is that the industry
has kind of made it very very hard for me
to make a living and to succeed in it. So
(02:30):
I basically I'm kind of putting up my middle finger,
if you will, and just saying, look, I've had a
gut sut of trying to play by urals and I'm
going to chase something else because you know, it's just
gone to the point where, you know, I think people,
you know, they hear my song on the radio, they
see how many streams I've had on Spotify, and they
(02:52):
think that it's, you know, all rosy and I'm living
in a mansion somewhere. But it's really quite the opposit it.
And you know, I've put my heart and soul into
this and for almost ten years, and to come out
of it, you know, with almost nothing has been It's
been very hard for me to stomach, and especially you know,
(03:12):
when you see the numbers and then you start to
do some research and some digging about you know, I
should have more more of my bank account basically, and
when you start to do digging and look into it, it
gets pretty ugly. So Yeah, I just I sort of
wanted to hang my hat on my best music. And
(03:33):
I know that this music that I've been releasing, and
you know, the final four or five songs that will
be releasinging November, I know that it's my best stuff.
And so to the people who who cared and made
my career what it is. You know, the fans who
show up to shows and listen to music and send
the music to their friends and make memories to it.
I just wanted to make sure I'm leaving on a
(03:55):
high for them, rather than continuing to get into the
bitter and ugly side, you know, trying to fight fight fight,
and you know it wears on you as a person.
So I just really wanted to hang my hat on
what I know was my best music and know that,
you know, if you're a fan of mine, that you
can really enjoy this this last stuff and know that
it's come from the right place.
Speaker 3 (04:15):
Mitch James, what next though, Because I mean, you're going
to need something. Music is going to leave a massive
hole in you as a person. So what ideas have
you got next? For Mitch James.
Speaker 1 (04:28):
I can't reveal everything right now, but I'm sure that
the government p show will be the first to find out,
and you can give me a call. Maybe maybe in February,
I think is when I'll be announcing what I'm doing next.
But what I can say to you guys is that
this is something that has been a dream of mine
(04:49):
longer than music. And it's something something in the or
should I say it's something in the media space, maybe
to do with sport, And there's something that I've dreamed
of a very very long time. And so I've been
putting in a lot of work over the last year
of trying to sort of transition out of music and
(05:11):
make sure I'm landing on my feet. But yet I'll
make sure that when I do it now, you guys
will be the first to find out.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
Because I was going to say, are you going to
be I was going to go through a list of
real estate agent tell us, are you going to be
a real estate agent? Courier?
Speaker 4 (05:26):
Yeah, I used to be a poster so I could
get back on the bike salesman, city councilor city councilor
oh my goodness, I mean, you know, we we we
make light of it, but it's sad to hear that.
Speaker 2 (05:45):
But man, you've left your mark on the New Zealand
music scene, no doubt about it. You've left us with
some wonderful songs and you know you've got more to come,
and we're excited about that. You released your last year
a single on Friday, Beautiful Stranger. We you know, we're
so sad to hear that. He's why does the bloody
industry make it so hard? You know for the artists.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
You know, yeah, I'm not the first and I'm definitely
not the last as well. It's it's a really it's
a horrible, horrible industry at times. And yeah, like I said,
I really want to you know, find the right time
and the right platform to to kind of tell tell
my story and sort of you know, if there's any
future musicians out there, you know, like my my heart
(06:29):
and soul is always for the people, and I really
want to find on the right platform and right way
to tell the story just so so people don't have
to go through what I've been through, because I know,
you know, especially in Dunedan, like there's there's always musicians
coming through whether they're from Denedian or they pass through Dunedin,
the students and it's such an amazing amazing music town,
(06:51):
and it's something that I've put on my back even
though I wasn't born in Dunedian. You know, Dunedan's my
second home and I've always put that on my back
no matter where I've gone in the world. And so,
you know, I want the next generation to feel that
way about NI too, but hopefully it more educated about
how predatory and horrible this industry can be. So I'm
really looking forward to getting to tell that story one day,
(07:12):
but I think I have to do it in the
right way.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
Yeah, don know, make sure you do and call those
people out, get the right advice and you do it.
Don't worry. We've always called you Dunedin's Mitch James.
Speaker 1 (07:24):
I always will be.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
And it's literally a shame that you're sacrificing your own
music career but potentially could be paving the way for
you know, artists coming through, like you've said, so, you know,
to be able to pave the way for an artist
to not be treated the way you have. We thank you,
but I'm also very said the last two contacts we've
had each other, you've made me cry both times, So
thanks that much. Shame.
Speaker 2 (07:48):
Yeah, thanks for making yourself available this morning and for
being honest, Thank you for thank you for all the songs.
And I know there's going to be more and we'll
keep in touch for sure.
Speaker 1 (07:58):
And hopefully one more than needs of as well.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
We'll be great, will be there, okay. Mitch James Mitch
Janedin's Mitch James this morning on the heads
Speaker 3 (08:09):
On the wake Up, I on
What type. Everyone, as you may have heard, made the
very tough decision to be stepping away from music after
this release. And it's a very sad situation. And when
I'm sure I'll get to talk about at length one day.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
What stepping away from music, You've got to be kidding me.
So we thought we've got to speak to the man
himself this morning, good friend at the show, Mitch James, Good.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
Morning, morning guys.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
You just fake news.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
Or what I wish it was. I wish it was,
but look, it's something I've been thinking about for a
long time, and unfortunately, the music industry is a very
crazy and sometimes evil place, and I just I just
couldn't do it anymore, which is a bit of a shame,
because you know, I've loved nothing more than being able
(00:47):
to play amazing shows and meet people at yourselves over
the years. But yeah, it just felt like the right time.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
I'm actually lost for words. I'm actually lost for words
because for me, it just seems such a I'm trying
to do like a sports analogy here for you. So
it's kind of like, if you like, when Richie mccaugh
was playing rugby, he just goes, I'm just going to
stop now at the peak of his career. I'm just
going to stop now. That's how I feel with you much.
I feel like You've got so many more songs in you.
Speaker 1 (01:17):
Well, I like you for you pe I do have
a few more coming out before I fully hang up
the boots. But the comparison to Richie McCaw is probably
the first and only time other than her, and I'll
take it.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Yeah, what can we? I mean, Look, you know I'm
hearing I'm sort of I don't know. This has taken
us all by surprise? Has there been has there been something?
Has something happened? What's caused this? Will we?
Speaker 3 (01:41):
Will we?
Speaker 2 (01:42):
I mean, will you one day reveal what's really gone
on here? Or do you just want to keep this private?
Speaker 1 (01:47):
Yeah? Well, I honestly, genuinely really hope to one day
have have the opportunity to tell the full story and
what's going on. I can't I can't really get into
the netty gritty right now, but I guess a simple
way to put it would be, it's the industry. It's
the industry and the you know, some people in certain
(02:08):
positions who have purposely made my life very very tough
for reasons which I think are quite pathetic, but they Basically,
the short and sharp version is is that the industry
has kind of made it very very hard for me
to make a living and to succeed in it. So
(02:30):
I basically I'm kind of putting up my middle finger,
if you will, and just saying, look, I've had a
gut sut of trying to play by urals and I'm
going to chase something else because you know, it's just
gone to the point where, you know, I think people,
you know, they hear my song on the radio, they
see how many streams I've had on Spotify, and they
(02:52):
think that it's, you know, all rosy and I'm living
in a mansion somewhere. But it's really quite the opposit it.
And you know, I've put my heart and soul into
this and for almost ten years, and to come out
of it, you know, with almost nothing has been It's
been very hard for me to stomach, and especially you know,
(03:12):
when you see the numbers and then you start to
do some research and some digging about you know, I
should have more more of my bank account basically, and
when you start to do digging and look into it, it
gets pretty ugly. So Yeah, I just I sort of
wanted to hang my hat on my best music. And
(03:33):
I know that this music that I've been releasing, and
you know, the final four or five songs that will
be releasinging November, I know that it's my best stuff.
And so to the people who who cared and made
my career what it is. You know, the fans who
show up to shows and listen to music and send
the music to their friends and make memories to it.
I just wanted to make sure I'm leaving on a
(03:55):
high for them, rather than continuing to get into the
bitter and ugly side, you know, trying to fight fight fight,
and you know it wears on you as a person.
So I just really wanted to hang my hat on
what I know was my best music and know that,
you know, if you're a fan of mine, that you
can really enjoy this this last stuff and know that
it's come from the right place.
Speaker 3 (04:15):
Mitch James, what next though, Because I mean, you're going
to need something. Music is going to leave a massive
hole in you as a person. So what ideas have
you got next? For Mitch James.
Speaker 1 (04:28):
I can't reveal everything right now, but I'm sure that
the government p show will be the first to find out,
and you can give me a call. Maybe maybe in February,
I think is when I'll be announcing what I'm doing next.
But what I can say to you guys is that
this is something that has been a dream of mine
(04:49):
longer than music. And it's something something in the or
should I say it's something in the media space, maybe
to do with sport, And there's something that I've dreamed
of a very very long time. And so I've been
putting in a lot of work over the last year
of trying to sort of transition out of music and
(05:11):
make sure I'm landing on my feet. But yet I'll
make sure that when I do it now, you guys
will be the first to find out.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
Because I was going to say, are you going to
be I was going to go through a list of
real estate agent tell us, are you going to be
a real estate agent? Courier?
Speaker 4 (05:26):
Yeah, I used to be a poster so I could
get back on the bike salesman, city councilor city councilor
oh my goodness, I mean, you know, we we we
make light of it, but it's sad to hear that.
Speaker 2 (05:45):
But man, you've left your mark on the New Zealand
music scene, no doubt about it. You've left us with
some wonderful songs and you know you've got more to come,
and we're excited about that. You released your last year
a single on Friday, Beautiful Stranger. We you know, we're
so sad to hear that. He's why does the bloody
industry make it so hard? You know for the artists.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
You know, yeah, I'm not the first and I'm definitely
not the last as well. It's it's a really it's
a horrible, horrible industry at times. And yeah, like I said,
I really want to you know, find the right time
and the right platform to to kind of tell tell
my story and sort of you know, if there's any
future musicians out there, you know, like my my heart
(06:29):
and soul is always for the people, and I really
want to find on the right platform and right way
to tell the story just so so people don't have
to go through what I've been through, because I know,
you know, especially in Dunedan, like there's there's always musicians
coming through whether they're from Denedian or they pass through Dunedin,
the students and it's such an amazing amazing music town,
(06:51):
and it's something that I've put on my back even
though I wasn't born in Dunedian. You know, Dunedan's my
second home and I've always put that on my back
no matter where I've gone in the world. And so,
you know, I want the next generation to feel that
way about NI too, but hopefully it more educated about
how predatory and horrible this industry can be. So I'm
really looking forward to getting to tell that story one day,
(07:12):
but I think I have to do it in the
right way.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
Yeah, don know, make sure you do and call those
people out, get the right advice and you do it.
Don't worry. We've always called you Dunedin's Mitch James.
Speaker 1 (07:24):
I always will be.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
And it's literally a shame that you're sacrificing your own
music career but potentially could be paving the way for
you know, artists coming through, like you've said, so, you know,
to be able to pave the way for an artist
to not be treated the way you have. We thank you,
but I'm also very said the last two contacts we've
had each other, you've made me cry both times, So
thanks that much. Shame.
Speaker 2 (07:48):
Yeah, thanks for making yourself available this morning and for
being honest, Thank you for thank you for all the songs.
And I know there's going to be more and we'll
keep in touch for sure.
Speaker 1 (07:58):
And hopefully one more than needs of as well.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
We'll be great, will be there, okay. Mitch James Mitch
Janedin's Mitch James this morning on the heads
Speaker 3 (08:09):
On the wake Up, I on
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