Reem Mitten Talks Latest Single, Her Voice And More

 

 

What is your earliest musical memory?

When I was in primary school, we used to have group music sessions where we’d be given cute little shakers. I remember the music teacher mainly for her bright, fire-truck-red hair. She’d play the piano while we played various handheld instruments, and I was completely mesmerised. I felt so drawn to the piano—I just wanted to get my hands on it. Somehow, it felt like it would make sense.

 

 

When did you begin songwriting?

I probably started songwriting around the age of 16 or 17. I’d always loved words — I used to write random, messy poetry and would try to turn them into songs. It was always a bit of a secret hobby.

 

 

You have your new single ‘What The Hell’ out now. What was the story/inspiration behind the track?

My partner Thomas Fiquet had been working on his own solo project and asked me to help with some lyrics. From that, there were a few bits and pieces we didn’t end up using, so I tried putting them together into a song. If I remember correctly, all I had at first were the first and second verses. Then Dave McCracken came in, and that’s really where the song came to life.

 

Did you solely write the track or was it a co-write?

I came up with the core of “What The Hell” — the lyrics and main melody — and then worked with Dave McCracken to develop the production and structure. Tom added the guitar parts that tied everything together.

 

 

Was it a difficult song to write?

It actually wasn’t too difficult to write. Dave has this amazing way of getting my brain working and helping me see things from a different perspective. When we work together, things tend to fall into place pretty seamlessly — it’s like putting a jigsaw puzzle together. He’ll say something that sparks an idea, and suddenly everything starts to click.

 

 

Is the single accompanied by a video?

Yes, it’s accompanied by a few small clips filmed by Lucas Bailey from Mute Records. When it comes to visuals, I’m always drawn to black and white — it feels more emotive and has a way of pulling everything back. I like to keep things simple so that the focus stays on the music itself. I’ll admit, I struggle a bit with being filmed or photographed, so keeping it minimal helps me not overthink it too much and just stay connected to the song.

 

 

 

Where did you record the single and who produced it?

Dave McCracken produced and co-wrote the track with me — we’ve worked together on all my songs so far. We first recorded it in a little studio in Hackney back in 2022, then re-recorded the vocals at Pierce Entertainment Studios in Hammersmith in 2023. We finished it off in a studio in Ladbroke Grove, so the song’s definitely travelled through a few different spaces along the way.

 

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the recording sessions?

Yes! “What The Hell” had actually been sitting on the back burner for a couple of years. I honestly hadn’t thought much about it. Dave and I were in the studio working on a different song when we decided to go through some of our older projects — and that’s when we stumbled across “What The Hell.” I’d completely forgotten it even existed, which was actually really exciting because it felt new again.

 

 

Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?

We used a Wurlitzer, which is actually quite common in some of my tracks. It’s a great instrument because it’s subtle but still has a strong presence.

 

 

Which of your tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

Happiest: I haven’t quite written that one yet — not saying I never will — but I tend to lean toward emotions that are more complex or darker when I write, because music has always been a way for me to express what I’m feeling when I’m not necessarily happy.

 

Angriest: There’s a track I haven’t released yet that probably fits here. It’s one of the songs closest to me. Usually, when I write, I turn my feelings into almost a fantasy to distance myself from the original emotion, but with this track, I haven’t done that. It’s probably one of the most transparent things I’ve written.

 

 

Most reflective: That would have to be either “What The Hell” or “Orange.”

 

 

Do you have any further music releases planned for 2025/2026?

“What The Hell” is my final release for 2025, but there may be something coming in January to keep people in tune.

 

 

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

Honestly, the first thing I hope for is that I did a good job. I get quite bad stage fright, and it still gets the best of me sometimes, so I’m hoping that with more gigs, the fear will fade. The second is really hoping that anyone in the audience takes something away from my set. I’m still discovering my sound, so my performances have a bit of a multi-genre element. I want people to see who I am, while also experiencing me discovering myself as an artist on stage — that sense of discovery is something I hope they share and take with them.

 

 

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

For me, it’s always an actual piano. If I had the luxury of always being able to play an acoustic piano, that would be a dream. I also love a little bit of reverb to give the sound some space. And playing with a band adds a completely different energy — there’s something special about sharing the stage with other musicians, feeling that support, and watching the music come alive together.

 

 

 

 

 

Ohhh, sadly not to good at that, drinking tea maybe.

 

 

 

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

I love fiction, but when it comes to books, I’ve always leaned towards non-fiction. If I had the chance to score a film adaptation of someone’s life based on a book I’ve read, it would be Joan Didion’s Slouching Toward Bethlehem. Her writing and outlook on life as a journalist really piqued my interest, and I’d love to explore how to translate her personality and character into sound.

 

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

My hometown is Kilburn, NW London. Five words to describe it: community, childhood, multicultural, changing, music.

 

Do you have any live dates in the UK/Europe planned for 2025/2026?

Yes I’ve recently announced my debut London headline show which will be on the 17th of November at MAP Studio Cafe.
(A place very dear to me as it’s where I started singing at open mics when I was in my early teens – so it made sense do to it there)
And some more in the pipeline that I will announce very soon for early 2026, so keep your eyes peeled!

 

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

I have quite a few musical influences — some that shape my music now, and some that I hope will inspire future tracks! A few of them are Jeff Buckley, The War on Drugs, Florence and the Machine, Ludovico Einaudi, Fiona Apple, NOW NOW… and plenty more, but that list could go on forever!

 

What makes Reem Mitten happy and what makes you unhappy?

What makes me happy right now is my work as a baker at a wonderful café and bakery in London Fields called 21SID. It’s a real community spot, and it allows me to connect with people while doing something I enjoy every day, allows me to stay creative in a different way through food.

 

What I dislike right now is the way social media has created a sort of wall around creativity. On one hand, it can be a great booster and a way to share work, but I also feel it can create anxiety around being creative. For me, at least, it sometimes feels like a barrier — though that might be because I’m not particularly savvy with it.