Interview & Article by Gabrielle (Gabby) Groves

After spending the better part of the last decade as a touring bassist and guitarist for Conan Gray, aespa, and numerous other artists, multi-talented musician Mistine has released her long-awaited debut album, i guess this is where we’re at. Aside from touring and accompanying artists on the stages of well-known talk shows, the singer-songwriter, bassist, and guitarist has been creating her own alt-pop and rock music since 2018. In addition, Mistine (Christine Meisenhelter) holds a BM in Popular Music Performance from the University of Southern California: Thornton School of Music and a masters in Sustainable Business Leadership from the University of Leeds, a degree that plays an important part in her music. Mistine is a strong advocate for the environment and made it the theme of her debut album, saying, “I began exploring thinking about our planet as a friend or relationship, and how each member would feel through this distraction and climate change—how we’re trying to preserve what we have left—as if I were trying to salvage a relationship with a loved one.”

What’s the story behind the album’s title, i guess this is where we’re at?

Mistine: “So much has been changing in the world lately and this just became a phrase that I kept saying during the months that I wrote this album. There's only so much we can do to change what’s happening in the world. But I've always believed that if everyone takes small steps towards goodness, positive change will come. First we have to accept where we’re at.. even if it doesn’t make sense how we got here.”

Which song was created first on the album? How did it set the tone for the rest of the songs?

Mistine: “The first song created for this album was changing with the weather. This song was my first attempt at writing with the intention of including my thoughts on what is happening to our environment. I really wanted to capture what it feels like to have a relationship with the world and everything that’s happening around us. as if nature was someone I was friends with or dating. There's something constantly changing and it's hard to keep up with sometimes, and sometimes there’s nothing you can do - but overall, we change with the tides and evolve together as best we can. Creating this song set the tone for wanting to make a record that was not only about my experiences with other people, but also my relationship to nature and our environment.”

What were some of the emotions you felt while creating this album?

Mistine: “I felt pretty existential while creating this. There’s a lot of stress thinking about climate change and our political state. It can be a lot for our brains to process. I was also going through a lot of changes in my friend groups and relationships at the time. So overall - transitions.”

Where did the recordings at the beginning of “overrated” and “work in progress” come from?

Mistine: “These songs were small ideas that never really got past the first verse, but they stayed in my brain. I kept coming back to them and wanted to make something out of them.. I wanted to send a message to others so I turned them into little interludes.”

What are some things that touring as the bass player/guitarist for artists such as Conan Gray, aespa, Sierra Spirit, Zeph, and INJI teach you?

Mistine: “Working for so many artists has taught me how powerful music can be across any genre, language, or city.. the people just wanna have fun! it’s quite hopeful actually!”

What are some essentials you’ve learned to bring on a tour?

Mistine: “I love to bring my own mug. It makes me feel cozy to have a mug that is just for me to have my morning tea in.”

When did you realize that you wanted to combine your love of music and your love of the environment?

Mistine: “When I first started touring, I became aware of how much waste was involved and unnecessary travel for bands and fans. At the time I was reading The Uninhabitable Earth and everything clicked. If I wanted to make music and do what I love, I had to also contribute positively to the environment.”

Who are your influences? (Not just as a singer, but as a bass player and guitarist as well!)

Mistine: “Larry Graham is my all time favorite bass player - also a big fan of my mentor Rhona Smith. I’ve always loved Aerosmith and The Who.. all time favorites!!”

How do you prepare for a performance on a national television show like Late Night with Seth Meyers or Jimmy Kimmel Live?

Mistine: “Honestly the same as any other gig. I wanna be just as prepared for Late Night as I would be to play in a club for 70 people!”

What’s the name of your go-to playlist (one that you would listen to in the car or to relax)? What songs are on it?

Mistine: “My go-to playlist currently is called “oh good morning” and starts off with "Takin Care of Business" and "Start Me Up" - all the classic rock songs that make me wanna have a fun day!”

If you could relive one moment in your impressive career so far, what would it be?

Mistine: “I would really love to relive writing the first song I wrote for this project, Mistine - Everett Park. In hindsight, this feels like such an important part of my songwriting development. At the moment, I was just having fun writing a song about a breakup with one of my best friends.”

What do you hope your future in music and environmental sustainability looks like in the next few years?

Mistine: “My dream is to work more in both mediums ! make more art! take care of the planet! and have fun!”

Mistine

Liam Gillin