Mali Hayes: Made In Manchester

If you are a fan of soul music with your ears to the ground on what's going on up north, you are likely to have come across the name Mali Hayes. Maybe you were at the Bilal concert in Leeds recently or like us, at the Zara McFarlane and Jamila Woods gigs at Band On The Wall and The Soup Kitchen respectively, in Manchester. Either way you are bound to, because the name Mali Hayes is gaining resonance at an increasing rate, amongst music fans and critics alike.
Mar 2018

Mali’s studious work ethic is matched by her profound ethical values. She is opinionated and uninhibited in letting the world know about it, be it through her music or her blogs. Mali could easily have coasted on her mother’s [Yvonne Ellis] coattail of influences and connections in the music industry, but she seems determined to carve her own path in an industry that is not short of pitfalls and opportunists. With endorsements from the likes of Jamie Cullum and Giles Peterson, all evidence indicate that the stewardship of Mali’s career, with her at the helm, is unfloundering.

Three major supports act in a month is not an easy feit by any standard and the gigs keep lining up. She is scheduled to perform  at the Great Escape Festival in Brighton, in May later this year. This self-determination is what sets Mali Hayes apart from her peers, and it is something we were keen to explore when we sat down for a chat at Band On The Wall, in Manchester.


Interview

JS
What makes you more nervous? Performing here tonight or posting that video on Youtube?
Mali
I dunno, I guess it’s just me being me, showing people who I am, what I’m about. There’s no point in not being honest and I would not know how not to be honest. In terms of nervousness, what’s more nerve wrecking? It's kinda a bit of both. I don’t get as nervous at live gigs anymore, which is nice, I quite like that. But if I’m unprepared, or if I’ve not got enough time, or I’ve had a stressful day, like both of those things have happened today, I’m a little more nervous, just because I’ve not had the chance to regain my thoughts and just be chilled. Other than that, I feel like the nerves get better with time.
JS
You have become a regular here at Band On The Wall [Laugh]?
Mali
It's actually my third time playing at Band On The Wall or is it fourth [pause]... I’ve done BV’s a couple of times here, backing vocals for a couple of other artists but this is my third time. As Mali Hayes, yes this is my third time here.
JS
Being from Manchester, what’s happening in Manchester that’s got you excited in terms of other artists?
Mali
I feel like mainly other artists, like Children of Zeus are doing so so well. IAMDDB is everywhere I look right now, it’s crazy, It's not even just music, artists, photographers, videographers. I feel like I ask a person where are you based, and they’re like "I’m in Manchester". Everyone’s in their home town. We don’t need to leave, it’s great.
I ask a person where are you based, and they’re like "I’m in Manchester". Everyone’s in their home town. We don’t need to leave, it’s great.
JS
Have you always performed with a band?
Mali
Yes, always. Always with a band. When I first started out at Uni..., they really encouraged us to be in different types of bands, we got put into bands with different genres. There could have been people who like Jazz, people who like Rock, people who like Funk and all of those things thrown in together. It was quite hard sometimes, but it was interesting, I think it brought out a different side to everyone. So from there I decided to stick with a band, that's what I got comfortable with. I feel I give more if I am performing with a band, and, because I know the guys so well, we get on so well, they give me confidence.
JS
What have you got in store for us tonight?
Mali
Fun, lots of fun. Hopefully people will get a lot of energy and they will dance and get involved. But there’s also some personal stuff in there as well that I hope people will think about a bit more. So yeah, kinda' a little bit of everything, there’s lots of pushing and pulling.
Mali Hayes Photo credit: Christopher Holt


Interview continued...

JS
How do you balance your social conscience with your music?
Mali
For me, that’s a massive part of my life as much as my music. I don’t even have to try to incorporate both. There is a balance between what I post [on social media] and the music. Hopefully people will read about the other things I’m talking about and again, like with the music, they’ll go both ways. So, it’s not necessarily about marrying the two but I’m passionate about both things. I would never talk about something that I don’t feel that passionate about or care about.
JS
How would you describe yourself?
Mali
That’s a hard question. I’d say chilled, laid back and I feel like I want to come up with a really good last word but I don’t know [Laughs].
JS
Ok, you’re not new to this game, you’ve been performing for a while.
Mali
Yes, yes, I have. I’ve been performing now for about four years, so a while, but also not a long time because when you think about other people who have been doing it for like 20 years and stuff, that’s like miniscule in comparison.
JS
Have a good gig.
Mali
Thank you lovely to chat to you.

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