Mild Orange

Mild Orange are a dream pop and indie rock band from New Zealand. The band is composed of four friends, Josh Mehrtens (vocals, lyrics, guitar, production, mixing, art), Josh Reid (lead guitar), Tom Kelk (bass guitar) and Jack Ferguson (drums), who met while studying at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand.

Mild Orange
Mild Orange performing in Baden, Switzerland in 2019. Left to right: Josh Reid, Josh Mehrtens, Jack Ferguson, Tom Kelk
Background information
OriginDunedin, New Zealand
GenresDream Pop, Indie Rock, Psychedelic Rock
Years active2016–present
LabelsIndependent, AWAL
Websitewww.mildorange.com
Members
  • Josh Mehrtens
  • Josh Reid
  • Tom Kelk
  • Jack Ferguson

Mild Orange has written and released two albums together. Their first album, "Foreplay", was released independently in April 2018[1] and was received positively by critics.[2][3] The single "Some Feeling" has achieved over 17 million views on YouTube.[4] Their second self-titled album, "Mild Orange", was released independently on May 29, 2020 and received positively by critics.[5][6] The video for the single 'Freak In Me', released on 12 March 2020 has attracted over 1.5 million views on YouTube.

The band are known for their own self-proclaimed style called 'melting melodies'. Mild Orange's recordings so far have been produced, engineered and mixed by frontman Josh Mehrtens in between studying, travelling and touring, with the exception of "Foreplay" Track 3, 'Stranger', engineered and mixed by Tom Bell.

History

Mild Orange originates from Dunedin, New Zealand. The band was originally formed by early childhood friends Josh Mehrtens and Josh Reid who met in kindergarten and by chance met again in university,[7] and later joined by Tom Kelk and Jack Ferguson.[8] They were quickly catapulted into the music scene after securing a spot on a Corona Extra New Zealand tour and a New Year's eve set at Rhythm and Vines festival in 2017.

According to the band, the name Mild Orange was chosen because 'The colour orange can cause one to experience a heightened sense of optimism, a boost in aspiration, and a stimulation of warmth and happiness'.[8]

During 2018 they sold out their album release tour of New Zealand with stops in Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch and two shows in their hometown of Dunedin. During the tour, they had a wide range of supporting artists including Jack Berry, DJ Snakelegs, Same Name Confusion, The Halps, The Butlers, Old Boy and Hoochie World.[9]

All four members hold degrees from the University of Otago. Josh Mehrtens - Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts, Josh Reid - Masters in Sustainable Business, Tom Kelk Bachelor of Applied Science, Jack Ferguson - Bachelor of Arts.

Foreplay

The songs on "Foreplay" had their early beginnings in 2016 when Mehrtens and Reid found themselves living together in a ten-person flat in Dunedin and spending many nights together writing music.[9] Mehrtens then spent another six months recording the vocals and mixing in Arrowtown and Dunedin. Mehrtens had little previous experience recording or mixing and admitted that there were times he doubted his own experience and abilities.[3]

Their debut album, Foreplay was released on April 28, 2018.[1] Foreplay was both independently produced and published, and it was released mainly in digital media. It was critically acclaimed for its "introspective nature", and "soothing guitar melodies":[3]

Foreplay is a thoroughly introspective album. It’s an honest exploration of love and loss. By the time I’d arrived home and had finished Foreplay, I had felt a lot. The album’s honest exploration of emotion, inspires it. You can’t ask for much more from any album.

Sam Fraser-Baxter, Hello Zukeen Magazine

With the exception of Stranger, which was recorded at the Chicks Hotel recording studio, the whole album was recorded in the band's own house. The lead singer, Josh Mehrtens, also doubled as producer and mixer. The fact that the record was not anchored to any recording label, according to Mild Orange, gave them a unique creative freedom: “We were keen as to record it ourselves so that we weren’t under any time pressures that you may encounter in a studio when you’re paying for time. We bought a bunch of pro-spec gear to at least try and get good quality but a lot of that comes down to the process."[3]

Despite the lack of a recording studio, critics acclaimed the clean sound of the album: "While many DIY recorded/mixed albums carry a DIY roughness with it, there is no such grittiness on Foreplay. Each track is meticulously crafted, every detail scrutinized. Mehrt(sic) is evidently a bit of a sonic wizard and his leap of faith has undoubtedly paid off."[3]

The record's style was described as "psychedelic" and full of "optimistic but introspective guitar-driven tunes",[10] and "an experimental, mellow and decidedly ambient sound. It's very relaxing and uplifting. A sound that is most definitely unconventional and has an Indie soft rock vibe."[8]

Foreplay
No.TitleLength
1."Intro" (synthesizer by Sam Mehrtens)2:33
2."Outro" (spoken words by Bena Simanu)2:23
3."Stranger" (recorded with Tom Bell)3:38
4."Some Feeling" (spoken words by Bena Simanu)3:17
5."Mysight"4:19
6."Down by the River"3:57
7."Selfish Lover"4:45
8."Losing Time"4:41
9."In the Living Room"3:52
10."Where Are We Now?"4:52
11."Terandara"3:27

Mild Orange (Self-titled Album)

Their upcoming self-titled album, "Mild Orange" is coming out May 29, 2020.[11] It currently features the singles "Freak in Me," "Making Things," and "First Taste."[12]

References
  1. "Mild Orange Bandcamp". Bandcamp. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  2. Kyungsoo Cho, Ryan. "REVIEW: Mild Orange – "Foreplay"". Itdjents. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  3. Fraser-Baxter, Sam. "Mild Orange's 'Foreplay' Pairs Well with Sex and Tears". Hello Zukeen. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  4. "Mild Orange - Some Feeling. Youtube page". Youtube.
  5. "Album Review: Mild Orange // Mild Orange". RiotMag. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  6. "Mild Orange - Mild Orange AllMusic Review by Timothy Monger". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  7. "Mild Orange - Live at Radioactive.fm". Youtube. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  8. Monaghan, Kerry. "Mild Orange - Album Review: Foreplay". Muzic Net NZ. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  9. "Mild Orange Release Debut Album 'Foreplay". New Zealand Music Commission. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  10. "Dunedin's Mild Orange Drop Debut Album 'Foreplay'". Under the Radar NZ.
  11. "Mild Orange(album)". Bandcamp. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  12. "Mild Orange Bandcamp". Bandcamp. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
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