Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben Hernandez, Malachi Henry and the Lights.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I had been based in North County for almost 1o years, playing full-time in the Americana, Roots, Blues music scene in San Diego. Because I had started to tour a lot more, my wife and I decided to move to North Carolina to be closer to her family for the times that I would potentially be out on the road.
After leaving San Diego and settling in Charlotte, North Carolina, I quickly realized that I would no longer be able to play professionally, so I walked away from professional music altogether. I went to work in a specialty running store and eventually went on to work as a rep for a running sock company. I was, in some ways, a traveling sock salesman. At first, my territory was spread out all over the country, but finally got streamlined to the almost all of the South. During these trips, the long drives out in the middle of nowhere, I really became inspired to write new songs. These new ideas were very much outside my comfort zone and pushed the fences of what I knew of song writing. I really became obsessed with lyrics, and crafting the rhythm and sound that lyrics make in the context of a song.
I flew back to CA a few years ago and recorded an album using many of these ideas which eventually became my band “Malachi Henry and the Lights”. I recently moved back to San Diego to launch the band properly.
Please tell us about your art.
I finally feel more comfortable calling myself a songwriter. I’m also a singer. I write songs that are constantly challenging what little I feel I know about the process of songwriting. At the same time, my songs are written to challenge what my voice can do. I love phrasing. I love the “sound” of lyrics. I’m always crafting lyrical phrases so that they move well in a song, are percussive, are smooth, have a cool tone. I’ll obsess over a single word or a line, no matter how deep or cerebral, if it doesn’t feel right coming out of my mouth then I find a better word to take its place.
My music is inspired mainly by old gospel music of the 50’s and 60’s. Especially the Staple Singers. With my band Malachi Henry and the Lights, we’ve managed to create music that bridges together the organic sounds of roots music with edged rock and electronic tones and samples.
I write about my travels through the country, about loneliness, being far from home; but also both the joys and struggles of living a spiritual life in a world that’s not always very spirit-filled. I want our music to be for everyone, but especially those listeners who share the same struggles and heart-break, and can also share in the hope and jubilation.
We often hear from artists that being an artist can be lonely. Any advice for those looking to connect with other artists?
I’m not sure. I don’t often reach out to other songwriters unfortunately. I’m not really sure how that sort of connection/collaboration works. I rely on my family. My wife. I have a core group of friends who feel the same about the craft of music, songwriting, art, design, etc. I spend time talking or hanging with them. My best advice is to live a “normal” life. Meet folks for coffee or a beer. Talk about real things; family, kids, relationships. Don’t abandon a community and real living for the sake of your art. I believe strongly that many times having friends, being a friend, or just a kind person BEGETS the art. I’d be nowhere with my music if it wasn’t for my little group of friends and the support and kindness paid to me by others.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Upcoming shows:
9/22/18 – opening for Patrick Sweany at The Merrow
9/29/18 – Adams Ave Street Fair (Roots Rock stage)
11/12/18 – The Belly Up – opening for Blitzen Trapper
WEB: www.malachihenryandthelights.com
IG: malachihenryandthelights
TW: @MalachiHenryUSA
FB: www.facebook.com/malachihenryandthelights
Contact Info:
- Website: malachihenryandthelights.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/malachihenryandthelights
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/malachihenryandthelights
- Twitter: twitter.com/MalachiHenryUSA
Image Credit:
Matt Nunn, Kevin Spencer, Shea Thompson, Ben Hernandez
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