MAL is the solo project of singer/songwriter + guitarist Mallory Hauser, an LA based indie-folk artist on the rise. Earlier this month, during a time of tumultuous unrest roaring through our nation's capital, MAL shared her debut EP, In Free Fall, which provided us with a much needed a bright, buzzing and yet serene soundscape to escape from the mayhem spread across our timelines. The juxtaposition had a poetic twist, as we read her self describe her sound as "happy chaos" in a recent interview with our friends at Alphabetical Order, representing the intense feelings of happiness, love and pure spirit. Get better acquainted with the California native in our interview below & make sure to add In Free Fall to your music libraries for a much needed breath of fresh air.

Thanks for joining us Mal! Let’s start at the beginning, what’re your earliest memories of music?

Oh man. I feel like my parents were always playing music when I was growing up -- especially my mom. There was a Tower Records by an AMC that she would take my brother and I to whenever we’d see a movie and we’d get to buy one CD between the two of us. This definitely sparked something in me with music and eventually steered me toward picking up the guitar.

We really enjoyed your debut single “Bluebird” - can you talk to us a about that song & what about it made it the right choice for you to kick off your solo project with?

I released it early October -- which really framed the setting of the song to me. Living in Southern California, it’s when the sky tends to be completely blue, some stronger dry winds blow, and the sunsets become super saturated. It’s the closest change to fall we really feel out here but, at least for me, it still feels like a considerable one. You feel different and, in a way, lifted -- just like the feeling the song expresses.

To follow you shared a fantastic follow up in “Night,” which has already garnered some attention. How’s the reaction for this one felt?

Feels good for sure -- this track is one of my favorites from the project, I was especially stoked on how the visuals turned out. It’s cool to see it all translate to everyone who’s listened and watched so far.

For both of these tracks you paired them with some stellar self-directed visuals. Has visual art always been a part of your creative process as well?

Ah thanks. Yeah, definitely. I’ve noticed I tend to write with an image or a scene in my head and try to translate it into words and soundscapes. It’s a fun way to come up with new sounds and create with a more holistic mindset, rather than individualized bits and pieces.

You recently released your debut EP, In Free Fall, can you share a little bit about the inspiration behind that project with us?

Throughout the project, I focused a lot on this idea of free falling -- for example, you’re skydiving but there’s no ground beneath you. That fall can redefine space and time, leaving you in a sort of suspension which I tried to integrate into the songs and visuals.

The virtual exhibit you put together in coordination with your EP release is really spectacular. Talk to us about the idea for that & how it came together.

I had the gallery show idea for a while, actually -- a sort of immersive, multi-sensory experience for what turned into ‘In Free Fall.’ Lately, we’ve all been pushed to get creative with ideas and routines that are normally instinctive. With this, I decided to do it virtually and found that it took me deeper into the theme of free falling -- learning new ways to effectively create a detailed alternate reality through art.

In addition to your solo work, you’ve spent the last couple of years playing in a band. What should we know about that?

I’ve played in a bunch of different projects in the past few years - a lot of cross pollination with the scene out here. There’s so much to learn from playing with people whether your role is more collaborative or performative. They’ve all definitely influenced where I’m at today with music.

Let’s talk about influences - who are some of the artists that you’ve looked up to in shaping your sound?

Oh man, hard to name just a few when it’s all so cumulative. For this project, I was listening to a lot of Feist -- Pleasure and Metals. There is such a deep rawness and beautiful sense of space that comes across in those recordings. I’ve also been studying up on Georgia O’Keeffe’s and David Lynch’s work -- they also have such a beautiful sense of space and intention.

The naturescapes of California seem to really leave an imprint on your art, is that fair to say?

Yeah, I’d say so. As we kinda mentioned earlier about my creative process being so visual-based, the scenery I’m surrounded by feels deeply intertwined with the music and visuals I’ve been making. I’m lucky enough to live in such a beautiful, diverse place.

Having relocated to LA, what has your experience in the music community there been like?

I’m lucky -- I’ve found so much support since I started out here and am constantly inspired by the talent around me. There is a constant overflow of incredible art on any given day of the week when things are normal -- definitely missing it.

Now that In Free Fall is out in the world are you feeling any different?

I feel like I can focus on creating again -- there’s a new blank page in front of me which is exciting for sure. I definitely want to push the next project I do further and continue to develop my artistry across all mediums.

Despite it being such a strange time period socially, you’re the beginning of what we expect to be a long & fulfilling career - how would you describe your outlook when thinking about the future?

Overall, I’m feeling super fortunate and content with everything -- there’s a lot to look forward to. Definitely would love for everything to be back to normal but it’s been reassuring to know that everyone is thinking the exact same thing.

Listen to In Free FAll

Mal’s Sunny Outlook