Malynda Hale

"Hale’s new single, Real Love, is a celebration of love and commitment, regardless of gender or racial configuration. An award-winning singer, Hale delivers the message of equality in a way that allows the song to be powerful and emotional without ever becoming a cliché or overly preachy. The song is, very simply, a positive, energetic anthem of acceptance.” - Christine Rose Infanger, Thirty Roses

“No doubt her latest single will be added to her impressive CV. Recorded for the upcoming film Oranges (by CradeMade Entertainment) Flashback, offers three and a half minutes of smooth R&B infused with pop, which is topped off with Hale’s heavenly and controlled vocals (which puts me in the mind of HEATHER HEADLEY!)” - Tracey Dawkins, New Lease Music2

And sure enough when I was given music from Malynda Hale, I found a really talented, way under-the-radar artist with great material and a passion that a lot of mainstream artists lack. Malynda Hale, based in New York City, by way of Southern California, has just released her debut record, The Train Ride Home. It’s a powerful yet catchy blend of songs, ranging from straight up R&B to more singer-songwriter inspired pieces. There’s a deep undercurrent of pop throughout, but not the bubble gum stuff that infests the radio. Rather, a more organic approach to the genre really pushed this collection of music out of the "been there, heard that" paradigm for me.The album starts off with “City Lights." Hale comes out strong vocally, and is buoyed along with a stellar chorus. Hale has a strong melodic sense. Other winning tracks include “Fallin” and “Another World." The one real standout track is “Only You," showcasing Hale’s vocal ability and songwriting.” - Scott Deitche, Blog Critics

“Fusing pop with rhythm and blues is a bold move that Malynda proudly tackled. The results turned out to be her greatest work yet. It is fantastic. Malynda possesses a powerful voice that easily takes command of any audience. Her range is excellent and The Train Ride Home shows just how diverse she really is. From the very first note to the final refrain Malynda shows just how passionate she is about her music. This is perhaps why Malynda states, “When I think of songs that stick most with me, they’re the ones that come from the singer’s heart. That’s what I try to do with my music – each piece I sing and write comes from my heart and experiences.” There are lot of emotions in The Train Ride Home and it certainly shows.” - Ester Callens, The Birmingham Times

“In retrospect, after a few spins I simply couldn’t resist the talented Malynda Hale’s strong, evocative and powerful lyrics. As a songwriter, her lyricism exudes with unyielding compassion that’s uplifting and her warmth captures the intimacy of her life experiences is appropriate for any setting. Malynda has a winner with this album, her sound is rich and heartfelt lyrics are a perfect combo which makes this an attractive mix of music to listen too.” - Rob Young, The Urban Flux

“A singer/songwriter inspired by Colbie Caillat and Gavin DeGraw as well as Alicia Keys comes forward with a sound reflecting urban styles for a new urban sensibility. A high energy charmer for kids comfortable with multi cultural streets, this set rests easily in the gulf between pop and soul that’s going to have to make the tastemakers come up with a new name for this kind of sound that addresses unity rather than separation. Hale rocks. ” - Christ Spector, Midwest Record

“Malynda’s voice seems to have the essence of the classic vocalist likes of Regina Belle, just smooth enough to carry over the upbeat tempo of some of the songs while her voice is strong enough to stand out as a premiere vocalist on the come up. What I like most about the album is that she explores different sounds that typically an R&B artist might shy away from worrying about conveying the emotions and ideas that are often associated with this type of music.” - On the 8 with Nae, Nerdy Boi Media

“I found Malynda’s song to be something that caught my ear. Right from the get go it’s the hook of the music grabbing me and pulling me right in. The song is there. It’s thumpin from a writing standpoint. Hooky piano, hooky bass, and a groovin drum loop. Malynda’s voice comes in and starts flowering over the top. I really like the chorus when it pops on. From that aspect it’s ready as can be.” - Jody, Single of the Day

“Pop, R&B and Gospel enthusiasts you are in store for a pleasant experience with one of the brightest singer/songwriters raised in Santa Barbara, California, Malynda Hale. She is releasing a new album titled The Train Ride Home. Her music is strong, upbeat, and soulful. Be the first to be uplifted with her heartfelt lyrics. ” - Cassandra Bautista, The Hollywood Examiner

“What a privilege it is for me to have this job discovering and interviewing such incredible talent as you are about to meet with this wonderful artist. What I like about Malynda is that she knows exactly who she is and where she wants to be. She speaks with self respect in a sophisticated manner and her trained voice and natural charisma pulls you in like a magnet.” - Bruice Maier, Damn Good Tunes

Tell us about where you are from and how you got to this position today.
I was born and raised in the beautiful city of Santa Barbara, and I definitely didn’t appreciate the weather until I left and experienced winter! Then I moved to LA where I went to college for music. I graduated in 2007 and started doing gigs full time with a band, traveling in Southern California, Las Vegas and basically anywhere I could get booked. I moved to New York two years ago and met some amazing people, and now I’m testing out the waters in Chicago while my fiancé finishes law school. Some would call me a “vagabond.” I’m never in one place for too long!

Tell us more about the current song you are promoting to everyone.
The song is called Blue Eyes and I wrote it about my fiancé when we first started dating. He has these ridiculously blue eyes that you can’t forget when you see them, and I just had to write a song about them! This song really means a lot to me because he’s my best friend and my biggest supporter and I couldn’t imagine succeeding without him by my side.

What are you currently working on and what can we expect to see?
Right now I’m wrapping up my first full-length album called The Train Ride Home and I could not be more excited about it. I have an amazing team working on this album and I know everyone will be blown away. It has taken me a long time to get this confident about the music I’m creating and presenting to the world but this album fully represents who I am. I got the opportunity to work with so many talented people. Lena Leon of Melody Machine Factory and Grand Reve/Water Music Publishing co-produced the album with Kevin Porter of Germano Studios in New York, who is also mixing the album for me. Lena and Songwriter Shawn Lopes of Royalty Network Publishing co-wrote a few of the songs with me as well (which was very new for me to do, I must say), but the end result was amazing. I have also received an amazing amount of support and backing from Troy Germano (owner of Germano Studios) who is acting as Executive Producer and Co-Publisher for the album. These people are true believers in what I’m trying to do, and I could not be more blessed to have them in my life.

Tell us about one of the hardest challenges you had to face in the industry?
I think whenever you face rejection of some sort it’s a challenge… but whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right? I’ve had a lot of let-downs over the past few years- empty promises, opportunities that fell through, managers that weren’t the best… the list literally goes on and on. I’ve realized that every bad experience has resulted in a blessing for me and I’m grateful for everything I’ve gotten.

What was one of the biggest set backs in your career and how did you bounce back?
I don’t know if I would consider it a negative setback but it was definitely something that needed to happen. When I moved to New York I decided I wanted to get more involved in theater and I was giving up on having a music career. Although I had some small successes with the theater community (getting my Equity card, doing regional theater), the experience actually reaffirmed my passion for wanting to be a recording artist. The entire first year I was in New York I did nothing but theater, but then I realized “You know what… I miss making music.” Soon after, I met talented and well-connected people and started to get things in order. So although it was a setback as far as moving forward in music, I needed that time off to reevaluate what I wanted my career to be.

What are some things artists need to be careful of?
Well I don’t want to say don’t trust people, but just be aware of who you are talking to, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. I can’t say that enough. I also think artists need to get out of the mentality that being talented should be good enough. IT SHOULD BE, don’t get me wrong, but the music business is a BUSINESS, and the less you know about the business the harder it is to be part of the elite few who make it. I’m still learning, but it took me awhile to get to where I am now and I’m nowhere near where I want to be. Don’t be afraid to learn.

What suggestions do you have for other artists like yourself?
Like I said before just learn as much as you can and even if you think you’ve learned everything, read another book from a different persons perspective on the same topic. Submit yourself for everything, and perform any chance you can. I’m a solo artist but I never turn down an opportunity to sing background for someone else because it’s an amazing networking opportunity.

What are the best ways to sell your products as an artist?
I think it’s clear that we’re an internet-run generation! So I think any place where you can sell your music online through digital distribution sites like TuneCore and physical products through places like Cafe Press, artists need to take advantage of them.

What is one of your favorite ways to promote yourself and your music?
Facebook and YouTube have truly been my best friends.

Where can people visit you?
First and foremost, like me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/malyndahalemusic
Then make sure to follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/malyndahale
Subscribe to my channel on Youtube: www.youtube.com/malyndahale
Fan me on Reverbnation: www.reverbnation.com/malyndahalemusic
And then join my mailing list on my website www.malyndahale.com.

Whew! I think I covered all the social media outlets haha! Thanks WWS! - WWS Magazine

QH: How did you get your start? and how did you decide what genre you wanted to go into?
Like a lot of artists, I grew up singing in church, and while I was in school I got really into musical theatre. It wasn’t until my freshman year of college that I knew I would end up doing pop music, and ironically enough I went to school for classical voice. So I’m all over ther place! Finding the exact genre for my voice has been tough. My first EP was R&B, my second EP was Pop Rock and now this upcoming album is very Urban Pop/Soul, and I think that’s what suits my style and voice the best.
QH: What are some of your strong musical influences?
There are so many artists in so many genres who influence me. The list is endless. But anyone who knows me knows about my deep-rooted passion for Gavin Degraw’s music. I admire his songwriting, his voice, his indepedent artist personality and approach to everything- even though he technically is a mainstream artist, you don’t really view him that way. That’s not a bad thing though! It’s definitely one of the things I love and respect about him. There’s just something about his music that strikes a chord in me. I also listen to a lot of old-school Whitney, Motown, Stevie. You have to. But, like I said, I went to school for classical voice, so I really enjoy the voices of people like Audra McDonald (I love her!). Also, people like Shirley Virette and Katheleen Battle are phenomenal to me. The list literally goes on and on. I just love music and appreciate a good strong voice in any genre.
QH: What separates you from other female artists out there? and how do you think you can evolve in this progressive male dominating industry?
Ahhh, the infamous “what makes you different question.” Well… I actually have to think about this for a minute and make sure it sounds confident and not pretentious. It’s a fine line! I mean I don’t really think I have a tone that sounds like anyone else. My voice is very, very distinct, and I also think my music makes people wonder how to categorize it, which will cause them to listen to it more! (Especially since I’ve gone back and forth with genres so much.) I do think I will end up being put in the R&B category, which isn’t a negative thing but what black female artist ISN’T put in the R&B category? That’s what I want to change. And I honestly think the fact that I know what I want to do and have a clear vision for how I want to get there is what will help me evolve in this industry. It’s taken me a long time to believe in myself the way others do, but staying strong and having a strong belief in what I can do will take me along way.
QH: What are some really effective marketing and promotional tools you have used and are currently utilizing?
It’s amazing where we are with useful marketing tools today. Myspace definitely started everything off but now with Facebook, Twitter, Sound Cloud and especially YouTube there are so many ways to get yourself out there. Those have all worked realy well for me. Currently, I’ve been going out on a limb and simply asking people to rate my music on iTunes or write a blog about me-the worst they can say is no, but I’ve been surprised at how many people have been willing to help. I learned from a great friend of mine who is also my drummer in New York to not be afraid to ask for what you want. (Thanks Mike!)
QH: What message are you trying to send to listeners through your music?
I really want to convey that you can have catchy melodies, good beats, and lyrics with substance all in one song- not just one or the other. For some reason I feel like everyone thinks the mainstream music audience is dumb and I don’t agree. I think because that’s all the industry is having their artists produce the consumer really has no choice but to like it so it comes across as though this is what the people want. I know so many people who are begging for more music like Adele or Gavin Degraw (maybe that’s just me! haha). But I know that people respect and want artists who have messages and meaning in their music, yet you still find yourself humming their melodies later on. That, to me, is a true artist, and that’s what I’m trying to accomplish.
QH: What are some struggles you had to face as far as your music career and how have you over come them?
Negativity. Plain and simple. I have let it eat me alive at times, and no matter what someone says to me, if I’m choosing to be negative, nothing will change my mood. Didn’t matter if I got rejected by a company, sang a bad note at a show, listened to another artist and thought I wasn’t as good or as pretty… When you let those negative thoughts fill your mind, you can’t accomplish anything. I’m still a work in progress, but I’ve definitely learned to control how irrational I can be when something doesn’t go my way. My fiancé is amazing with dealing with me… I seriously don’t know how he does it, but he is my rock. I’ve dealt with confidence issues, and simply not thinking I’m good enough or that I will never get to where I want to be. But I’ve learned now that the only thing holding me back is myself. It’s all about your mindset.
QH: What should other female artists be careful of in this industry?
EVERYTHING. haha. But seriously, just stay guarded, don’t be so eager to jump on an opportunity because you think it’s your big chance without really reading the fine print, so to speak. ASK QUESTIONS. Be smart about every decision you make and make sure you learn the business to the same extent that you’re focusing on your music.
QH: What essentials do you feel are necessary for a good development and management team?
I actually get asked that question a lot, and I think I had to go through a lot of bad experiences to discover the answer. People make empty promises to you all the time in this industry, and I’ve honestly learned how to read people well and not take everything they say to be fact. It’s hard because you don’t want to be jaded but you do have to be guarded. For me, it’s just important to surround yourself with people who you trust and who truly believe in you, your talent and what you are trying to accomplish. You want to find: musicians that will play with you no matter how much you can pay them because they love your music and want you to suceed, a manager that truly is about getting your talent showcased and not how much money they can make off you, people who will promote your music and share it with others if you ask them to because they BELIEVE in you… not because they think you are trying to use them or take advantage of them for free promotion. People who believe in you are the best people to be on your team. Simple as that. And being organized doesnt hurt either (haha!).
QH: What does the future hold and what aspirations do you intend on embellishing throughout this year?
I believe my future holds amazing things, truly. I can’t even express how blessed I have been this year. I just finished a full-length album called The Train Ride Home, and I hope to be releasing it by the end of the year. Some ridiculously talented people worked with me on the album: Lena Leon (Melody Machine Factory/ Grand Reve-Water Music Publishing), Shawn Lopes (Royalty Network Music Publishing), Kevin Porter (Germano Studios New York), Jamie Squire and Troy Germano of Germano Studios. I couldn’t have had a better group of people on this album. It’s been an amazing experience and I can’t wait to share it with everyone. Once the album is released, I’m focusing on promotions, marketing and getting my music in the hands of the right people; it’s going to be a lot of hard work, but I know my efforts will pay off! - Queen Hype Magazine

What a pleasant surprise Malynda Hale is! When I opened the e-mail that contained Malynda's info, I had no idea what a treat I was in for. This So-Cal born singer has a mighty bright future ahead of her. After the first track I heard I thought, "She's dope. Different." After the second song I was talking to her manager. Sooo.... expect to see an interview with Ms. Hale late March.

For instant gratification's sake, check out "Borrowed Time" from her upcoming full-length release 'The Train Ride Home.' On this mid-tempo Pop tune the singer tells a story of a girl who's feeling like she's only a second best replacement for an ex-girlfriend. It's fantastic songwriting by Lena Leon and Shawn Lopes and a great vocal performance from Malynda.

Check the stream below and definitely keep this artist in your mental Rolodex. We'll get into the detail of who she is in March. Stay tuned.... - Rox Fontaine

Straight From Another World

Malynda Hale is a young, beautiful, and talented singer songwriter residing in New York City. She’s been a New Yorker since the summer of 2009. Her musical journey began on the west coast with a tour in 2005. Debuting in Las Vegas as the opening act for Tyrone Wells and Ernie Halter at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay, she also headlined the Mist Bar and Lounge at Treasure Island Hotel and Casino.
Inspired by Him

Like many of the great musical artists in history, her roots began through singing Gospel music in church. Malynda draws her inspiration from her faith in God. In addition, she draws inspiration her wonderful family, good friends, and mentors. Meeting the love of her life was the inspiration for her song, “Blue Eyes”.
She Kicked It

Making the conscious decision to give her music career 100 percent was a huge turning point for Malynda. She successfully met her Kickstarter goal for her album, The Train Ride Home. Most importantly, she made the decision to stay positive no matter what happens in life.
All Aboard

The Train Ride Home is going to be released in the summer of 2011. Listeners will enjoy an eclectic mix of songs that satisfy the soul on a variety of levels.
According to Malynda, the title of the album reflects, “the time I’ve spent thinking and writing on the subway trains in New York. I’ve had frustrating moments, peaceful moments, and even euphoric moments. All in all, I really think this CD will fully represent me and how much I’ve grown since moving to the Big Apple.”
Green Food Goddess

Aside from music, Malynda is a proud vegan. She is an advocate of the benefits of a vegan lifestyle and plans to combine this with her blossoming music career. Recently, she has written for
The Happy Mouth, a brand new food blog catering to New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago Residents. - Mike Veny

I was blessed to be able to finish my first full length album while I was living in New York. I met some of the most talented and supportive people I have ever met, and they all contributed immensely to the completion of this album: Lena Leon (Melody Machine Factor,GrandReve/Water Music Publishing,) Kevin Porter (Germano Studios New York) Shawn Lopes (Royalty Network Music Publishing), Jamie Squire and Troy Germano of Germano Studios. I also had some amazing musicians play on the album for me: Mike Veny, Sammy Braithwaite and Nick Grinlington. Everyone I worked with to make this album what it is is extremely talented. Right now we are in post-production and awaiting a release date. But I gurantee it will be worth the wait! - Str8 Shooter Music