Jenny Mitchell Trouble Finds A Girl

Award-winning, alt-country Aotearoa artist, Jenny Mitchell joined forces late in 2021 with the esteemed Tami Neilson to release stirring single, 'Trouble Finds A Girl' - a powerful and direct response to sexual misconduct and sexual assault within the music industry. On International Women's Day, Jenny Mitchell released the accompanying video.

Jenny comments on the video: "Standing in that room, with a group of people who I know feel so fiercely about creating a safer future, was such an electric, inspiring moment. I truly felt so fortunate to even be part of it. Standing there with Tami, singing to my younger sisters... it was such a grounding moment. Tears were definitely flowing. My Mum was also in the circle, along with people from various corners of the arts industry; musicians, managers, radio presenters, dancers and poets. 

"You'll hear Kylie, Kaylee and Fanny's voices at the beginning of the clip. Some of my nearest and dearest, who each inspired me endlessly. They couldn't be at the shoot so I wanted to create a way that they could also be part of the project. 

"The men who have supported this movement are integral to making change so it was really important to us to have Jeremy, Gabrielle and Chris in the clip; three of many men who have made us feel respected and equal in our workplace. Just as Wade and Bradon, the clip's directors, have."

Written together at an APRA Songhubs song-writing camp, 'Trouble Finds A Girl' is spacious and haunting. It carries a sense of caution, wrapped in palpable emotion; building to a dramatic and soaring swell of calls to "burn it down".

Jenny said, "The song is for my younger self, who put up with far too much out of fear that if I didn't 'play the game' I might lose opportunities."

The track is "a powerful and direct response to sexual misconduct and sexual assault within the music industry". It was inspired by the work carried out by award-winning Stuff NZ journalist Alison Mau who investigated #metoo claims within the New Zealand music industry. The revelations sparked a conversation between Jenny and Tami in their song writing session. Discussing their own experiences, and wanting to advocate for change, 'Trouble Finds a Girl' came to life.

Hailing from Southern NZ, Jenny Mitchell has had an impressive career to date. Her 2018 album WILDFIRES, produced by Sydney's Matt Fell, was awarded the 2019 Tui for Recorded Music NZ Best Country Music Artist. Following her first Tui, the album became the first NZ album to receive a nomination for Alt-Country Album of the Year at the 2020 Australian Golden Guitar Awards.