One would imagine Kevin Mitchell, lead singer and rhythm guitarist of alternative rock band Jebediah and solo performer under the name Bob Evans, to be largely immune to nerves before a show.
But when he was asked to join the cast of the 27 Club, which pays homage to the music and lives of the likes of Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse, Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison and Jimi Hendrix, Mitchell said it was definitely outside his comfort zone.
“It’s stuff that I never would have been pushed to do, ordinarily, and at first glance, that can be a little bit intimidating and scary,” Mitchell said.
“It’s really different from my usual environment, which is Wednesday night down at the pub in Albury or with Jebediah doing a 90s-themed festival. This is just completely different.
“It sits somewhere between being a rock show and a theatre show, and at first, that idea kind of made me nervous. But now I realise the fact it sits in between those two things is what I love the most about it.
“It gives me an opportunity to do something really, really different. But I think I’ve got to a stage in my life where I’ve realised the value in leaning into things that are a bit scary or take you out of your comfort zone.”
After performing in the show for three years at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, Mitchell has taken nothing but positives away from the experience so far.
“I get to do something very unique and different with people who I maybe never would have met if I hadn’t been invited into this,” he said.
“I’ve known Sarah McLeod (Superjesus) for a very long time, but everybody else are all Adelaide locals and they’re brilliant.
“Carla Lippis is an absolutely jaw-droppingly good, world-class singer. And Dusty Lee Stevenson, who’s musical director, is just an incredible guitar player.
“So I get to watch these guys from on stage, and they’re people I’ve grown to really love and have a huge amount of respect for.”
Mitchell said the show was a celebration of iconic, era-defining artists who were lost too soon.
“The premise is quite dark, you know, all of these artists died at 27, which is tragically young,” he said.
“But they all contributed to the culture of their eras in such a massive way. The show ends up being a joyous celebration, both on stage and hopefully for the audience as well.”
The 27 Club is at Costa Hall Thursday, March 23. For tickets or more information go to geelongartscentre.org.au/whats-on/all-events/27-club.
