We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mallory a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Mallory, appreciate you joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?

I often think about where I would have been had I started taking my music seriously earlier. I’ve been singing since I was four, and writing and recording since I was in high school, but I was using my gift for the advancement and entertainment of others. I only recorded features and sang in choirs and ensembles. Part of me wishes I would have been as aggressive then as I am now so that I could have learned the game earlier and been further in my career now. However, every time I have those thoughts, I also consider the fact that I would never have been as confident, smart, strategic, strong, fearless, and secure in myself and my standards back then. So it’s probably a good thing I didn’t take myself more seriously back then. I wouldn’t have conducted or hustled for myself like I do now.

At the end of the day, beside maybe more followers, I probably would have ended up in the exact same place I’m in now had I started earlier, so, I think I’m good.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Mallory. I’m a Singer-Songwriter and Recording Artist. I’m also a mental health advocate and host an annual charity birthday party that raises funds to send minority young adults to therapy. Most people don’t know, but I’m also a former dancer of 14 years, a former cheerleader of five years, and (people do know this) a gym rat.

I don’t remember how exactly I got into music and recording because it’s always been something I gravitated to. When I was just four, I had my first solo in the church choir. When I was 12, I performed for the first time (vocals wise) at my middle school talent show and realized that the stage is home for me. In high school I connected with a few rappers at my school and ended up featuring on their tracks. Music has just always been there and I always lean on it. I always knew I was supposed to sing and perform for a living. As I got older it just happened, even at the times I doubted my trajectory.

In most recent years, I’ve grown to accept paid gig opportunities. One of my proudest moments was when I landed a residency at a restaurant in Houston, TX called Loft 18! It kind of launched a new branch of my career and led to me making more than I ever have off music. My other proudest moment is the second I released my first single, “1 Hunned.” I was in Mexico for the first time and, for about thirty minutes, couldn’t care less because I had just released my own music on major streaming platforms.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

What part of or time in my life doesn’t speak to my resilience? I’ll say this: through depression, anxiety, lack of support, painful losses of cherished relationships, unreciprocated dedication, self-doubt and low self-esteem, job loss, an unreasonably incomprehensible job search, comparison, degrading dating conditions, confusion, and so much more, I’ve thrived. There have been so many days on which I wanted to quit — quit working, quit pursuing my dream, quit caring, quit life (not by ending it physically, but just quitting) — and I’m positive there will be more. But somehow, I push past those feelings and obstacles every time to take just one more step until I feel strong enough or like I know enough to actually progress to the next level.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

SUPPORT US! It’s so weird how much and how quickly people will share a social post or buy merch made by a complete stranger, but have to be begged and spammed to even look at posts made by people they know. I’ll never understand that. Come to our shows, comment on and share our posts, be a loyal fan. Support YOUR people like THEY’RE the celebs. That’s all I can say.

Contact Info:

• Website: iammallory.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/iammallory
• Facebook: facebook.com/iammallory
• Twitter: twitter.com/iammallory_
• Youtube: youtube.com/iammallory

Image Credits
Upload 1: 2 Dope Perspectives All others: Biana Isela Productions