Mahalia has been around music her whole life. The eldest daughter of Jimmy Barnes, she grew up in a musical household. Not surprisingly, Mahalia has never considered a career other than music. "Music is my whole life and I love it".For the past 8 years she has toured with Jimmy and last year they recorded a hit duet "Gonna take some time" (written by Mahalia and Jade MacRae), the second single from Jimmy's #1 Double Happiness album.Mahalia struck out on her own with her band a few years ago, playing shows at various Sydney clubs. Many shows have been collaborations with friends like Juanita Tippins and Jade MacRae, Tina Harrod, Jackie Orszaczky, Jeremy Gregory and the Doley brothers band 'The Hands' (whose debut album 'Live and Breathe' she features on). She has also recorded for a number of other artists including Diesel.Most of Mahalia's gigs have been with a floating line up of musicians, including Danny Spencer (guitar), Warren Trout (drums), Kristian Attard (bass), Clayton Doley (keys), Ben Rodgers (bass), Jak Housden (guitar), Lachlan Doley (keys), and brother Jackie Barnes (drums/percussion), along with friends and soul-mates Juanita Tippins and Jade MacRae on vocals.
A big fan of live albums such as 'Aretha Franklin - live at the filmore west' and 'Donny Hathaway - live', "Live gigs are a bit more raw and on the edge - just how I like it!". Mahalia has recently released a Live EP recorded at the basement with her band. "Basically it's soul music - soul music with a lot of blues and some southern rock'n'roll" says Mahalia, who confides that her influences range from the classic soul divas like Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner to the bluesy rock of The Black Crowes and the neo-soul of Jill Scott and D'angelo. But her style is very much her own. The songs featured on this EP are a cross section of her music, a taster to a full album which is scheduled for some time in 2007. (The EP is available at all shows, as well as online at jimmybarnes.com and now on itunes australia)
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