With her 2007 album Debut, L.A Mitchell uncorked a sparkling collection of seductive soul and jazz that revealed her undeniable talent as a singer-songwriter and musician. Reviewers soaked in Mitchell's songs of honesty and emotion. She has performed alongside Nathan Haines and The Black Seeds, while also being picked up to perform with Dave Dobbyn as his keyboardist and backing vocalist. With her 2007 album Debut, L.A Mitchell uncorked a sparkling collection of seductive soul and jazz that revealed her undeniable talent as a singer-songwriter and musician. Reviewers soaked in Mitchell's songs of honesty and emotion. She has performed alongside Nathan Haines and The Black Seeds, while also being picked up to perform with Dave Dobbyn as his keyboardist and backing vocalist. L.A Mitchell is playing at The Famous Spiegeltent, part of Red Square - the heart of Auckland Festival 2009; a multi-venue hub based in the Aotea Centre precinct

During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?
Any time I can sit and focus, but mornings are my sharpest.

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?
In the generous words of my friend Victoria, slightly quirky but sophisticated eye for detail.
I have a good collection of vintage shoes and brooches if that is any indication

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?
There really are a lot on individual gifts involved in the whole process of writing music, I love chasing chords, I love being surprised by the natural direction a piece will take despite your intention to take it else where, I love hearing my band adopt and adapt what I bring them, I love being unified as a performer with my band and delivering connected, energized pieces of work. Through all things I get a thrill when I succeed at being disciplined about my work and following intuition

How does your environment affect your work?
If I don't feel safe in the environment I am in I find it harder to write freely. My experience of myself and my work environment has led me to discover that writing on a bad- sounding instrument is never flattering and it is easier to write in environments where I feel secure and won't be intruded upon .I can journal in any environment but the construction of any piece works better with privacy - without it I never truly connect and the progress is always stinted and unsatisfactory.

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?
I often feel you are required to do both at various points in creative work and each needs to be moderated. I get weary and distracted with intense focus on details, though find the outcome always gratifying, and I get equally overwhelmed with the big picture, yet still find it intoxicating and inspiring to contemplate.

What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?
Knowledge! Learn your craft then learn your business. Don't feel compelled to compromise your intuitive creative responses.

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?
Arranging the live at the Matterhorn performance, I got to chase lots of chords and be indulgent and complex and now I get to watch it grow and morph every time we play it, it's like a perpetually blossoming tree.

Who or what has inspired you recently?
I took a trip recently to London with Dave Dobbyn and we visited the Tate Modern art gallery which was over whelming in its abundance of differing concepts and perspectives. I've been reading a book by Naomi wolf called "promiscuity" which is giving me a few hours of contemplation; and playing with Dave Dobbyn is also a great gift of inspiration with every performance -; he is a marvel of a man to watch.

If you could go back and choose a completely different career path to the one you've chosen, what would it be?
I don't think I could have avoided the creative field so if it wasn't music it would have been art and if it wasn't art perhaps design. Between that and the likelihood that I would run my own business I am sure there is a myriad of other careers I could resourcefully put my passion into. Though it is truly hard to contemplate anything but the career I have chosen..

What place is always with you, wherever you go?
Wherever I place my suitcase!

What's the best way to listen to music, and why?
Live: because it has a physical aliveness that you cannot transport via any other recorded medium, in my opinion: it lives and breathes because of the players on the stage and the conversation that exists between them, the music and the audience.

You are given a piece of string, a stick and some fabric. What do you make?
A sun tent

What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?
Accept the way you feel as soon as you stop fighting your emotions it stops being such a battle.

What's great about today?
I am on tour with Dave Dobbyn

What's great about the Auckland Festival 2009?
I've just done a run of south-island Festivals but this will be the first festival concert my band and I will have ever performed in Auckland

What's your big idea for 2009?
Write some and then write some more.

L.A Mitchell
www.laurenmitchell.co.nz
Thu 12 March, 11.30pm
Adult $35
Festival Friend/Concession $30

Red Square

The Red Square incorporates The Famous Spiegeltent, the Festival Club, and the Stella Artois Festival Bar. With easy access to The Civic, the Town Hall, Aotea Centre, SkyCity Theatre and the Basement (home to The Fringe), Red Square is the Festival party zone "” the place to start and end a day of festival experiences

19/02/09