Sibling duo MITI are one of the most exciting new voices within Aotearoa’s country music scene, creating a unique and refreshing sound within the country music landscape. Their latest single, Wasting More Time On You, is built around classic country storytelling, with Pasifika honesty. Vocalist Tiana took the time to answer some of our questions – check out the full interview below!
Q. Wasting More Time On You feels less like a heartbreak song and more like a declaration of self-worth. Was there a particular moment or experience that inspired that mindset?
My brother Sonny wrote this song and when he brought the song to me there was an instant connection and I just knew I had to sing it. I think everyone knows someone who has inspired a song like this. And I love that it’s not a “poor me” heart break song but a “nah I’m done with you” moving on anthem, which is totally more of my style.
Q. This release feels like a real step forward for MITI, especially with the Nashville production behind it. Did hearing the finished mix make you feel like, “This is the sound we’ve been chasing all along”?
Definitely! As a team we felt that Nashville was the right place for this song to be. When you think country, you think Nashville and sending it off to Aaron Chimelewski to be mixed was the best bet for this song. He’s worked with artists like Taylor Swift, Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll and Faith Hill. So he really did help us bring that country sound to life.
Q. Every sibling relationship has its own shorthand, quirks and occasional disagreements. How does growing up together shape the way you make music today, and are there things you can say to each other creatively that nobody else could?
Yeah we grew together, share the same love for country music, were raised together on strong family values and so there’s just a natural understanding there between us. We can definitely be more blunt with each other creatively lol. I can say something to my brother that someone might be too scared to say and vice versa. But honesty is really important to us because at the end of the day, we both just want to make good music.
Q. Have there ever been moments where being brother and sister has made the creative process more challenging? And conversely, what do you think is the biggest advantage that relationship gives MITI over other bands?
It’s a unique dynamic because we’re siblings first and that in itself is challenging at times lol. We laugh a lot, we argue like any other siblings and because we know each other so well, we definitely know how to push each others buttons and be brutally blunt but I think that’s one of our best strengths we share. Every thing said whether bad or good comes from a place where we only want to see the other grow and do better. There’s no hiding behind any walls and I think thats the biggest advantage we have. Theres a genuine family bond behind MITI and hopefully people will be able to feel that through the music we make.
Q. Much country music is rooted in telling honest stories about where you come from. If someone listened closely to your songs, what parts of your upbringing, your family, or your Pasifika values would they hear reflected in the music?
Growing up in a pasifika family we were raised with strong values around family which were respect and loyalty. I think those naturally come through in the music. We grew up listening to classic country through mum and dad which taught us the power of honest story telling. Getting to work alongside my brother Sonny makes it more personal and we get to create music that honours where we come from while staying true to the sound we love.
Q. Country music is having an enormous global resurgence at the moment, but New Zealand has often had its own take on the genre. Where do you see MITI fitting into that new generation of Kiwi country artists?
I think it’s such a cool time for country music especially in NZ. I’ve seen more kiwi artists embrace the genre while still building their identity. For MITI that’s about staying true to the traditional story telling while bringing our own perspective as pasifika siblings from Aotearoa
Q. Growing up with Glen Campbell and Johnny Cash playing at home, what do you think those artists taught you about storytelling that still influences the way you approach songs today?
I always try to pour the lyrics out of me emotionally. It’s actually not as easy as it sounds and it’s something that I was always drawn to when listening to classic country tunes. I just love how much emotion and character are in their songs. They didn’t need to over complicate things. The story and the feeling was enough to carry the song!
Q. Authenticity is a word that comes up a lot when people talk about country music. What does authenticity actually mean to you as an artist, especially at a time when the genre is becoming more mainstream?
I think just being my most authentic self. I’m not wanting to imitate someone else’s life. I’m focused on being the best version of myself and building a sound that feels authentic to MITI and where we come from.
