Interview: Malina Moye's Emotional Journey In Dirty

Malina Moye (Isaiah Mays)

JAKARTA - Malina Moye will release a new album titled Dirty on March 17, 2023. She describes this album as an emotional journey. As the opening gate, some time ago, she released the single Say My Name.

Dubbed the "female version of Jimi Hendrix" by a number of media, Malina has been named as one of the world's must-know female guitarists in the list made by Guitar World magazine.

This Fender guitar ambassador is one of the most prominent female guitarists. In addition to being good at playing the guitar, she is also good at writing songs and singing.

The left-handed woman's first single, Girl, which was released through her record label WCE Records in 2004, was successful at number 43 on the Billboard charts for the R&B hip-hop category.

Her last album, Bad As I Wanna Be, was released four years ago. The American version of the album contains six tracks and the European version has ten tracks. The album reached number one for two consecutive weeks on the Billboard Blues chart issued on 8 and 15 May 2018.

Outside of her music work, in 2007, Malina appeared in a British-released documentary titled Startmaster: Greatest Guitar Story Ever Told alongside legends such as Robert Clay, Mark Knopfler, and Jimi Hendrix.

Malina Moye (Isaiah Mays)

Malina also received many invitations to perform at a number of blues music festivals such as the Robert Johnson Blues Festival as the only female vocalist and left-handed guitarist. She shared the stage with living blues legends David Honeyboy Edwards, Hubert Sumlin, and Pinetop Perkins.

It didn't stop there, one of the headliners of the 2014 Jakarta Blues Festival was also named the opening act at several points of the Robin Thicke and Boyz II Men concerts in 2009.

However, of the various major music events that Malina has been involved in, one thing that made her proud was when she took part in the Experience Hendrix Tour in 2012. She shared the stage with guitarists such as Eric Johnson, Eric Gales, Brad Whitford, Kenny Wayne Sheperd, and Johnny Lang.

Meanwhile, regarding her newest single, Say My Name, Malina presents an infectious groove that combines her own pop, rock, and soul sound.

It is a high-energy song lyrically filled with hope, inspiration, and a soulful desire to win complemented by a soulful blues rock solo.

As for Dirty, Malina said the album talks about "taking the high road when others do you wrong, which is really hard to do".

Musically, this fourth album continues her signature sound of pop-rock, blues, and funk consisting of clever songwriting and catchy melodies.

For more about the Dirty album, see the following VOI.ID exclusive interview with Malina Moye.

Could you provide an introduction to the new album, Dirty? How would you describe this album?

I think it’s a continuation of my signature sound. I love live instruments and pairing it with new technology to create something throwback but contemporary. I'd say a gumbo of funk, rock, soul, and blues but very contemporary with hopefully well-crafted songs.

How is the writing process of this album?

For me, it starts with hearing melodies throughout the day. So, I will sing them into my phone if I'm driving or sometimes it’s a guitar lick I discover from just messing around on the guitar. It's never the same process.

What is your goal with this album? Is there any particular statement you're trying to tell?

The name of the new album is called Dirty and the theme of the new album centers around taking the high road when others do you wrong, but before you get to that place where you are angry and confused. So it’s a journey of emotions. Then suddenly one day, you start to forgive. The forgiveness is for you, so that you can move forward in life and protect your spirit.

Malina Moye (Isaiah Mays)

What do you think makes this new album stands out compared to the last one?

Honestly, I don't know. I write from a place of honesty. You can never tell what is going to resonate with people, but ask me this question in a few months after the album comes out. I hope the new album stands out. I feel art is so personal, yet flawed and beautiful all at the same time.

Is there any challenge this time for you personally as a guitar player?

I always like to be better than I was on the last show, album, and so on. I don't think there were challenges as much as I would say the stop and go process. I started the album last year at the tail end of the pandemic and the starting and stopping was nuts. Sometimes when the vibe is moving you really want to capture it and keep working. The cool thing about it was taking more time to experiment on certain solos and guitar layers. Some songs we recorded with a full band at once and some songs were done in pieces. I love the aspects of both.

Do you try out anything new in terms of the equipment? Do you experiment with any new tunings?

I love the standard 440 tuning. I keep it simple. If something is working why break it. My go-to is the same as my live set up. Fender Hot Rod Deville 212 amps, Boss pedals including Blues Driver, Metal Zone, and of course my guitars. I do like Marshall amps as well but it all depends on what I'm hearing and going for.