‘’TILT’ is the brand spankin’ new sophomore album from Jen Mize & the Rough N’ Tumble – August 7th via Pathfinder Music.
Jen Mize has always embraced collaboration, but on her outstanding new album Tilt, she and her band The Rough and Tumble have taken that philosophy further than ever. Speaking with Australian Musician editor Greg Phillips, Mize explains that while she remains the principal songwriter, Tilt is very much the sound of a genuine band, with every member contributing ideas, arrangements and, in some cases, songwriting credits. WATCH INTERVIEW HERE
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The album’s intriguing title has an equally colourful backstory. Although there isn’t a song called Tilt, the name perfectly captures the spirit of both the recording sessions and the band itself. Recorded at Brisbane’s Record Works studio with engineer Jason Millhouse, the sessions were punctuated by regular breaks playing vintage pinball machines. After seeing videos of the band’s competitive pinball sessions online, Kevin Bennett suggested they call the album Tilt. The idea immediately resonated, not just because of the pinball connection, but because it reflected the band’s willingness to approach music from unexpected angles rather than conforming to genre expectations.
That freewheeling attitude extends to the music itself. Mize says the first album saw the band gradually evolve as additional musicians-including keyboards and horns-were brought into the fold to serve the songs. By the time work began on Tilt, however, The Rough and Tumble had become an established unit, allowing the writing process to become far more collaborative. Song ideas were shared through a communal Dropbox folder, with band members jumping in to co-write as inspiration struck. The result is an album that Mize feels truly belongs to the band rather than simply being her songs performed by backing musicians.
Stylistically, Tilt draws from an impressively broad palette. Growing up in America, Mize absorbed everything from her truck-driving father’s outlaw country and classic rock records to her mother’s folk collection before discovering Motown, soul and jazz while touring in a musical production alongside Mary Wilson of The Supremes and the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Those influences now sit comfortably alongside a shared love within the band for artists such as The Rolling Stones, Little Feat, The Black Crowes, Bonnie Raitt and Tedeschi Trucks Band, creating a sound that effortlessly blends country, blues, soul and roots rock.
That melting pot is particularly evident on songs such as “Cellophane” and “Holy Moly”, where soulful grooves sit comfortably beside gritty guitar work. Mize is quick to praise long-time collaborator Jeremy Edwards, describing him as an invaluable creative partner whose songwriting, guitar playing and vocals have become central to the band’s identity. She is equally enthusiastic about the twin guitar attack of Edwards and Mitch Power, whose complementary styles helped shape many of the album’s standout moments.
One of the album’s most personal tracks is “North Carolina”, inspired by visits to her father’s family in the American South. Rather than simply reflecting on her heritage, the song celebrates hospitality and cultural connection, imagining bringing her Australian bandmates and friends to experience the people, food and traditions that shaped her. Mize says the song mirrors her own experience of moving to Australia and being welcomed with the same warmth she experienced growing up in the southern United States.
When it came time to record the album, Mize deliberately resisted the temptation to over-polish the performances. She prefers to capture vocals in just a handful of takes, often using the very first one, and embraces slight imperfections if they preserve the emotion of the performance. For her, Tilt was always intended to sound organic and timeless rather than clinically perfect, echoing the classic records that inspired it.
Although one completed song was ultimately left off the record because it didn’t quite fit the album’s overall feel, Mize says it will emerge later as a standalone single. That decision reflects the band’s continued belief in making complete albums rather than simply chasing individual releases. Their guiding philosophy remains simple: create music that satisfies themselves first, with any wider success viewed as an added bonus.
With festival appearances already on the horizon, including the Gympie Muster, Mize acknowledges the realities of touring with a large ensemble in today’s economic climate. While extensive headline touring is difficult, The Rough and Tumble continue to focus on festivals where their expansive sound can reach the widest audience. If Tilt is any indication, audiences can expect a band that values authenticity, musicianship and camaraderie above all else, a philosophy that’s helping Jen Mize carve out one of the most distinctive voices on Australia’s contemporary roots music scene.
https://www.jenmizemusic.com/roughntumble
