A Night With Mistine: A Show at Sunset and Interview

As we enter summer’s doorway – an invitation for our homebody generation to spend time in the sun, we find that live music tiptoes outside as well. On May 28th, artist Christine Meisenhelter, also known by her stage name Mistine, performed at one of the most vibrant and artistic outside shows I’ve seen thus far. The acts had been going on since two in the afternoon, but my friend and I got into Los Angeles around six, shortly before Mistine’s performance.

Walking through the gates of the venue, I was instantly greeted by the buzz of conversation. The backyard had that Pinterest photo-op kind of look to it, with lights in the trees, succulents, and even a charcuterie board amidst it all. Every corner was lined with art from different artists who were showcasing their pieces at the show. My friend and I walked around looking at the different works for a while, mingling and meeting new people. Everyone was dressed in that indie and hip type of look – I caught sight of cowboy boots, denim jumpers, and admirable statement pieces. The crowd was a range of musicians, artists, college students, fans, and countless other creatives. There is a certain intimacy about backyard shows, creating a very nostalgic atmosphere, especially during the summer. This one showcased an array of the arts, from music to paintings to clothing design, making it feel like an immersive pocket of inspiration.

We all gathered around when Mistine came on at about seven-thirty as the sun began to set. She entered the performance wearing a smile and a galaxy-style sweater, playing her first songs of the night, “Don’t Come Back” and “All Night.” The latter song was written during her time in college, which she stated she wrote to prove she could write a song. It was catchy and nostalgic, like all of Mistine’s music. There was also great chemistry between her playing the guitar and the keyboardist, Melody Ector. Their musical talents were evident as the performance felt so natural to watch.

During her performance, Mistine brought a couple of people up to perform with her. The first was her friend Hannah Kline. They joked about this being Hannah’s first performance and proceeded to cover “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac. It was a sweet moment, echoing the comfort of the unforgettable classic. Later on, she brought out her friend Zephani Jong, who is also known by the stage name “Zeph.” Mistine recently went on tour with her and they covered some more throwbacks with Katy Perry’s “Hot N Cold” leading into Avril Lavigne’s “Sk8er Boi.”

Mistine ended her performance with her two latest released singles – “Everett Park” and “Temporary Feeling” – that will both be a part of her new EP that comes out at the end of this month. I had been listening to these songs for days now and it was fulfilling to hear them live. “Everett Park” had this exhilarating sound to it, complemented by feel-good indie tones. “Temporary Feeling” truly displayed Mistine’s sweet vocals and her lyricism. It’s the type of song that builds and rolls out like waves onto the shore, with smooth pop sounds.

After the show ended, it quickly became dark outside. We stuck around for a while, hanging out with all of the pets that people had brought. In the wake of Mistine’s performance mixed in with the perfect LA atmosphere, I felt a warm bliss. Later on, I had the chance to virtually interview Mistine.

[UNPUBLISHED:] What was your creative process for your latest released single “Temporary Feeling?”

[MISTINE:] This song was written completely over FaceTime and we started with the concept of driving in a Jeep down the shore and experiencing a summer romance…when you know something won’t last forever but you find beauty in the time you have together and make the best of it. Enjoying every moment.

[UNPUBLISHED:] What feelings did you hope to inspire with "Temporary Feeling?" And how does it differ from other tracks on the EP?

[MISTINE:] Wanderlust, summer love, independence. “Temporary Feeling” is the most straightforward Pop song on the record and I think it's the easiest, fun, feel-good song on there as well.”

[UNPUBLISHED:] How does it feel to be playing your songs live? Do you have a dream venue that you would want to perform at in the future?

[MISTINE:] I love playing these new songs live. It has been really rewarding to play them acoustically in small venues and mainly to my friends. Seeing that they resonate with people on a songwriting level instead of just based on the fully produced sound makes me so happy. Of course, I dream of playing in bigger venues! I love playing shows of any size and I can't wait to play more shows!

[UNPUBLISHED:] What should people expect from your new EP that will be coming out at the end of June?

[MISTINE:] People should expect it to be a mix of the two singles that I already released this Spring...nostalgic, sparkly, romantic, windows-down driving music.

[UNPUBLISHED:] Do you have a favorite memory from the process of creating the EP?

[MISTINE:] I loved being on Zoom with my friend Andy in the UK and attempting to track vocals. It took us over to figure out how to set up the session so that he could engineer and I could track. It was very chaotic, but so fun and a great bonding moment.

[UNPUBLISHED:] What song from the EP are you most excited for people to hear?

[MISTINE:] I’m really excited for people to hear the title track, “just fade.” That’s the only song on the record that I wrote by myself, very vibey.

[UNPUBLISHED:] You’ve just released two singles and you are preparing to release your debut EP as Mistine. These are both huge milestones and accomplishments for an artist. What do you see for your future as an artist?

[MISTINE:] Screaming, crying, throwing up. I hope to just always be making music, doing something creative that feels right at the time. Creativity comes in peaks and valleys. I’m not always going to want to make the same type of art or express myself this way, but I hope that people are along for the ride and willing to make space for whatever art I create in the future. Who knows what it will be! I'm excited to find out.

[UNPUBLISHED:] Is there anything else you would like the readers to know about you or your music?

[MISTINE:] I hope it makes you feel good! I hope it feels like you’re just gossiping with your best friend. I hope it makes you want to get ice cream and drive with the windows down. Sending hugs!