Mitch Davis - The Haunt (Album) + 10 Questions

Montréal based multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and producer Mitch Davis releases his debut album with Arbutus Records, ‘The Haunt’. Mitch also shares the music video for his new single ‘Hope That’.

A singer-songwriter tour de force - Mitch wrote all the songs and played all the instruments on this compelling debut, all recorded in his home studio during the 2020 lockdown - with much of it recorded on equipment that he also built himself. The result is a uniquely personal statement brimming with colour and optimism even as it ponders universal themes of introspection and loneliness - a record that could only have been made by Mitch Davis.

In a similar vein to Tom Misch and Jordan Rakei, Mitch’s distinctive blend of jazz, funk, sunshine pop and rock is so seamlessly integrated it often feels like a full band effort. Yet everything you hear is a result of Davis hunkering down alone in his home studio in the garment manufacturing district of Montréal while the city was under a strict curfew - midnight to 5am were his working hours - funnelling all his creative energy into the music.

Mitch sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:

1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?

The usual story I guess. I grew up in a house with a bunch of instruments on hand. I was never officially encouraged to do it; we just kind of used them as our toys.

2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?

It’s a revolving cast and has been my whole life.. I am hugely inspired by pan-genre producers like Quincy Jones. I’ll shout out some inspirational  friends though!

Eliza Niemi, Louie Short, Homeshake.

3.  What projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?

Just dropped my debut “The Haunt” a few days ago so it’s a bit early to talk next record, but I’ll be touring the US this September with my band. And maybe flying to Switzerland to play drums for my friend Kizis.

4. How would you describe your sound?

Obsessively casual danceable bedroom pop made by someone who likes jazz. I dunno. I rapped for 10 years as my only thing. I just want to make all genres under one banner and get away with it.

5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?

I mean, I’ve played many hundreds of shows and I’m proud of a ton of moments having fun on stage. But I’m gonna say Tony Hawk skating to my breakup song.

6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?

Don’t think about it too much. Don’t try to plan it too much. Just figure out a way to make music, as much as possible, as soon as possible.

7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?

Oops, I kind of answered this in question number 2. Don’t sleep on Marci’s album and the TBA Sorry Girls record. Both inspirational to me for sure. But selfishly I played on both records a ton too. There’s no better feeling than playing on music you actually like.

8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?

There’s a Donny Hathaway live album I cannot help but listen to almost every day right now. The cover of Jealous Guy is perfect.

9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?

I’m daylighting as somewhat of an electrical engineer. I design audio gear and have a compressor I’m trying to put to market properly but I’m worse at business than music.

10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?

Realistically it was like.. Beer, whiskey, weed.

I think introspection, honesty, adventurousness.