Start Listening To: Mal

We caught up with Los Angeles-based indie-folk and visual artist, Mal, ahead of her new EP Continuous Short Feature Film.

Can you tell us who you are, where you’re from and where you grew up?

My name is Mal. I was born and raised in San Diego, California and am currently living in Los Angeles.

What encouraged you to write your own music?

I was taking a filmmaking class in high school and we had to create a short film / video. I wanted to make a music video and my teacher would only give the go ahead if the song I used for the film was original. That was the first song I set out to write, record, and “produce” (though the production was just acoustic guitar, whisper-like finger taps on a small hand drum, and my sibling singing the very elementary lyrics with their powerful musical theater vibrato).

Could you tell us a bit about the background of your artist name?

‘Mal’ is a nickname my friends and family have always called me growing up. I go by my middle name, which is Mallory, and the playfulness ‘Mal’ has felt right for this project - it feels inviting and exploratory for me.

If you were to describe your sound to someone who’d never heard you before, what would you say?

To be honest, I’ve always found this question difficult to answer - I end up just listing people who I feel have influenced me in some way, though the influences aren’t necessarily limited to musicians. I find visuals influence me creatively - in and outside of music. That being said, lately I find a lot of inspiration in works by Mark Rothko, David Lynch, Georgia O’Keefe, and Jim Greco.

Can you tell us more about how you produce your music?

In the past, production would come after the lyrics and basic structure of the song was established and recorded. For most of this record, I would do an improvised take on the guitar and build from there - writing lyrics after the basic bed of an instrumental track had been shaped and established the song’s harmony and melody.

If you had to pick a personal favourite track you recorded, what track would that be?

I think they all are my favourite for different reasons. I love the world that came out of ‘Fallen Friend’ and I love the video we made for ‘Sports.’ ‘No Words’ also feels like a world to escape to during a time of chaos and features some incredible saxophone playing by my good friend Henry Solomon. ‘Oven’ was also a fun one to record and film. Seems like I’ve almost named every track so far, so I’ll stop there !

What advice would you give for anyone trying to achieve a similar sound to your music?

I don’t know exactly what my ‘sound’ is, but for anyone trying to find a voice through music I would say just keep making things - collaborate, don’t be afraid to go deep and raw, and believe in your truth as tacky as it sounds. I think people always hear truth in music - that’s what they are attracted to, so it’s important to find yours and stay true to it.

What was your favourite & least favourite part of recording your own music?

I think I am at a point where I crave more people in the studio than just myself. I think it’s important to bounce ideas off other people and just goof off together. For this new project I am working on, I am definitely trying to work with more people in the studio rather than building the tracks on my own.

What music styles do you listen to?

Lately I’ve been listening to ambient / electronic music like Aphex Twin and Anne Laplantine. I also love Cuban Son, Soukous, and Ethiopian jazz.

What do you love right now?

I love the people in my life right now and they all seem to be killing it, which makes me so happy.

What do you hate right now?

I’m note sure that I hate anything right now, but traveling has just been a bitttt more difficult and costly lately - but grateful for the reason and ability to travel !

Will there be new music released soon or are you working on something new right now?

I have an EP and experimental short film that will accompany it call Continuous Short Feature Film out on August 19.

Is there any new music from 2022 you have been enjoying?

Remi Wolf has my heart. Skullcrusher, Henry Solomon, Okudaxij, and so many others do as well.

What was the best gig you've ever played and why?

Oh dang. So many gigs are great for different reasons - I played a couple London shows opening for and playing with Illuminati Hotties that were so fun. I also love the random gigs around town that I get to play as well.

Do you prefer playing smaller or bigger gigs and why?

For me as long as the crowd and space feels good, I like both. I always enjoy adapting to the spaces I play in and sharing in that with the audience as well.

How do you deal with other people’s expectations of you?

I try to keep my head down and stay true to who I am and what I want. Expectations from others are for others to have - not me to be affected. That can take the pressure off and make it easier to lean into what feels true and worthwhile.

Where do you find comfort?

I find comfort in feeling grounded and having solid relationships with the people I love.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Thanks for having me ! Hope all is well with everyone on your team and hope you enjoy the new project.