Jenny Mitchell grew up in Gore, a town in rural New Zealand known for its ties to country music and hosting an annual country festival—so it’s only natural that her earliest forays into singing and songwriting were inspired by those surroundings. But while her folky early tunes—see 2015’s accordion-kissed love song “Falling”—were relatively straightforward in delivery, Mitchell has progressively added layers to her lyrics and arrangements. That’s certainly true of 2018’s “Wildfires,” which pairs haunting slide guitar with staggered vocal harmonies to underscore its shadowy portrayal of heartbreak. Even more foreboding are the lyrics of 2021’s “Trouble Finds a Girl,” a duet with Tami Neilson that was inspired by the music industry’s systemic mistreatment of women. Dovetailing with Mitchell’s own philanthropic efforts, the song’s frank handling of timely themes helped it to secure the APRA NZ Award for Best Country Song. Yet, she’s every bit as effective when singing an uplifting tune like 2025’s “Heart Like a House,” a romantic ballad made with acclaimed producer Matt Fell. The same year’s “Sister,” featuring her siblings Maegan and Nicola from The Mitchell Twins, sees her words flow so easily that it’s impossible to imagine Mitchell finding any calling higher than writing songs.