Q&A with Mali Hâf

Not to sound cheesy, but I probably sang before I talked! Music has been a part of me from the very beginning. I discovered the piano quite literally by bumping into it regulary as a toddler, and it quickly became an essential part of my life. Growing up in Wales, a country that takes immense pride in its arts and music, I was surrounded by a rich cultural environment from a young age. I feel a deep sense of gratitude for being raised in such a nurturing setting for creativity, it’s like I owe a part of who I am to the my cultrue that shaped me.

As a child, I would confidently tell everyone, “When I grow up, I’m going to be a singer,” and that’s exactly what I did…and will forever do. Music has always been my path, and I can’t imagine it any other way.

When it comes to influences, David Byrne of Talking Heads is the first name that comes to mind. He’s unapologetically himself, and his unique understanding of music shines through in everything he creates. I remember watching a video of him performing with Talking Heads, and I’ve even had the chance to see him live. Both experiences were transformative, I remember thinking, “Wow, I can do whatever I want.?’’. His approach to music is so liberating, and it showed me that there are no boundaries when it comes to creativity.

I also love how Byrne draws inspiration from Latin rhythms and beats, incorporating them into his music in a way that feels natural and essential. His love for percussion and rhythm has definitely influenced my own approach to music, plus I dance silly just like him!

Are there any particular themes or messages that you aim to convey through your music?

My music is inspired by a philosophical outlook and life experiences. As a deep thinker, I’ve always been drawn to philosophy, and this can be heard alot in my songwriting. But I guess my songs look at possibly what may seem as complex thoughts and ideas turn into something more accessible and simple, so me and my listeners don’t get lost in a maze of overthinking. Well becuase often, those endless spirals of thought don’t lead us to seeing things for how they really are.

Each of my songs is a reflection of my upbringing and my journey with the Dharma, the teachings of the Buddha. I strive to incorporate these teachings into my music, conveying messages of mindfulness, compassion, and finding inner peace.

Being a neurodivergent creature, like many creatives, I have a mind that often sees the world in a quirky, unconventional way. I think this allows me to connect with others who also have colorful, unique ways of thinking.So I hope my music resonates with them.

Above all, I hope to show values that I try to be; kindness, authenticity, and wisdom. These are qualities that I believe the world desperately needs more of, and through my music, I aim to inspire others to embrace these values. Showing my hope isn’t naive. I understand that we can’t change others, only ourselves. But if each of my songs can gently remind a listener of the importance of these values, then I believe I’m contributing, in my own small way, to a better world

Have you faced any challenges or obstacles as a female musician, and if so, how have you overcome them?

Yes and no. It’s not always clear whether the obstacles I face are directly related to being a woman, but sometimes it’s undeniable. Some challenges are so deeply rooted in the culture of the industry that they can be difficult to identify and address. For example, in my experience working with men in the music world, I’ve noticed that they often express a strong, bold confidence in their craft. I’m sure they have their doubts, but they rarely voice them. On the other hand, Women, and other marganlised genders, myself included – can find it challenging to get that same level of confidence and self-belief. The idea of fully supporting and believing in myself can feel daunting and even a bit scary.

This ties back to the idea that the only person you can truly change is yourself. Yes, the music industry has made progress in some areas, but in others, it feels like we’ve regressed. I’ve realized that I need to focus on being the best version of myself, supporting myself as a female artist, rather than waiting for the industry to catch up.

I could offer advice, but I’m still learning as I go. Like, the other day I was wolf whistled at while performing on stage. I hadn’t anticipated how degrading that would feel, and in the moment, I didn’t know how to respond. It made me question how I present myself on stage…should I tone down my appearance? Should I speak out? Can I still feel empowered after such an experience? These are questions I’m still tryna answer.

In a nutshell, perseverance and staying curious have been key in helping me navigate these obstacles. I’ve learned to trust my instincts more (not always good at that) continue evolving, and maintain an open mind. The path isn’t always straightforward, but each challenge offers an opportunity to grow and better understand myself as an artist.

Can you talk about your creative process and how you go about writing and producing your music?

My creative process has deffo evolved alot over the years, shaped by both my experiences and my journey with self-confidence. For a looong time, my lack of confidence held me back from fully embracing my songwriting and production potential (still along way to go) Even though I had written many songs on the piano, sharing them wasn’t always easy. The idea of downloading Logic Pro to start producing my own music felt overwhelming, I convinced myself that I was bad with computers and avoided it altogether. I worried that if I tried and failed, I’d be crushed.

But spending a lot of time closely observing in the studio helped change my mindset. Working with producer MINAS was particularly influential. He encouraged me to give it a go, saying, “Mal, please try it, you are amazing at discovering melodies , and making things land in places I wouldn’t of expected . I’d love to see what you’d create on Logic.” Essentially, he made me realize that music is something that comes naturally to me. So, about a year and a half ago, I finally took the plunge—and now, I’m addicted! I looked at it like we’re just playing Sims4 , like I’d rather spend a night in writing music than doing just about anything else.

But back to the actual question, my process has gone through many phases. My brain is always in “writing mode”…it feels like there are two brains in my head, one of which never sleeps, always on the lookout for ideas. Sometimes, it only takes a word I like or a new word I discover in a book, and I’m off, seeing what I can do with it. I’m especially inspired by the Welsh language, the sounds of Welsh words are so poetic and roll off my tongue so easily when I sing.

Lately, I’ve been writing by deciding on the beat or rhythm first, sometimes without even thinking about the chords. I love the idea of a melody coming purely from my head, with the chords following my lead..not the other way around! It’s a just cooler to think it truly came from me and not from the chords, or the chords instead my head.

But ye I could easily write an entire essay on this topic because it’s a big part of my life and still got lots to discovered with songwriting and production!!

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Listen to Mali Hâf’s new single ‘Esgusodion’ below.