MAHALIA
The fast-rising Atlantic-signed star recalls the key role Small Green Shoots played in her career... INTERVIEW: COLLEEN HARRIS
You came to Small Green Shoots as an artist, what did they do for you? “My dad approached Natalie to bring him into the industry and get him up to speed with how it was working, what to do next and where to go. At that point I’d only written maybe three or four songs and I had a SoundCloud link. Natalie actually introduced me to my first manager, Matt Ross, when I was 13 years old. Once Nat set that relationship up, we went on our journey and she was always involved. We did a couple of photoshoots and open mic events with Small Green Shoots. It was all my first introduction to doing anything like that.”
Just how important is the work they do?
“I think they’re incredible. It’s funny now having certain friends come to me and say, ‘What should I do? Where shall I go next?’ Small Green Shoots is always the company I put forward to people because of the support they offer to young artists, particularly young black artists. I was a young black artist who was singing soulfully, but playing these storytelling folky songs on the guitar – I was a little bit different and Small Green Shoots never made me feel like that. I felt like it was a home for me to be any artist that I wanted to be, regardless of stereotype or what the industry was going to see me as. That was hugely important for my growth because it meant that I could then find myself as an artist, storyteller and songwriter without feeling like there were too many eyes watching me. For young artists, I think you need that space and time to work out who you are and what footprint you want to leave.”
What are the challenges for a new artist starting in the business now? “The most important thing is to build a support network, people you can go to for advice. Small Green Shoots offer that. For me, finding a foundation like that so early on was the biggest thing because it meant I always had people I could call – and especially for my dad, while he was managing me. I guess we didn’t know what we were doing and, being from a small town, it was all a bit confusing. It’s quite a hard industry to be on your own in. Once you meet like-minded people who can ride alongside you, it doesn’t feel as intimidating – that’s important for young black artists. We work really hard to find our place in this industry, and extremely hard – once we’ve found it – to keep it.”
Is the industry doing enough to remove the barriers for people from less privileged backgrounds?
“I think organisations like Small Green Shoots are helping that, but I really think it’s people and the power of social media – you just can’t stop people from loving what they want to love. That’s a massive benefit young artists have right now. It doesn’t really matter what the industry says, millions of people could fall in love with them from a tiny 30-second clip online or an interview or photograph. That’s what’s special, people have taken control and the industry has followed that.”
How about behind the scenes, are you seeing a more diverse workforce? “It’s really nice to walk into rooms and see people who look like you for starters. When I first started I was really only talking to men. I remember first meeting Natalie and her being this incredible big boss, this woman of colour who I really looked up to. I thought, ‘God you’re making huge waves and movements I’ve never seen anyone do.’ It’s nice as a young artist to walk into rooms and have conversations with people who could relate to you. My A&R is a young black woman, Radha Medar – she’s also managing Mabel. She’s from Birmingham and we have a really similar background. She’s incredible. So, it’s definitely changing.”
What support would you like to see the industry give to organisations like Small Green Shoots?
“It always surprises me that they’re not talked about more. For new developing artists, the industry should always have organisations like Small Green Shoots in the conversation. As long as they don’t they’re missing out on something huge.”
musicweek.com
Grateful: Mahalia joined Small Green Shoots when she was 13
“It's a hard industry to be on your own in... Once you meet like-minded people, it doesn't
feel as intimidating” Mahalia
Music Week | 59
Music Week speaks to the people that Small Green Shoots has helped along on their journey…
PHOTO: Kanya Iwana
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