MALIWA crafts chilled, jazz-infused lo-fi that feels like a small daily reset—warm chords, soft groove, and a guitar-minded sense of touch that turns simple moments into atmosphere.
The Interview
Introduction
Q: For those who don’t know you yet: how would you describe yourself as an artist in a few sentences—and what does the name MALIWA stand for in your musical world?
MALIWA: MALIWA is one of my music projects, which I started in 2022. I have a lot of different musical tastes, but everything I make in the lo-fi, jazzy beats, and chillhop world flows into this project.
Q: You’re extremely consistent and prolific—your discography is huge. Looking back: what was your journey into lo-fi, and was there a defining moment when you knew this “chilled + jazzy” direction was your lane?
MALIWA: A few years ago, one of my guitar students wanted to learn a song by L’indécis. I loved it and fell down the rabbit hole—after the lesson, I listened through his entire discography. I was so hooked that I tried composing something in that direction myself, and the ideas kept coming. I stuck with it and went deeper and deeper into the genre.
Latest Work
Q: Your releases often feel like snapshots—compact, direct, and mood-first. Where do you feel your sound is right now compared to earlier MALIWA tracks, and what are you consciously refining?
MALIWA: I hope my sound has improved over the years. I’m trying to get faster and more confident with recording and producing—and especially with capturing the mood I hear in my head. Starting MALIWA was when I really began to dive deep into production.
Q: There’s a clear atmosphere running through your catalog—cozy, relaxed, jazzy, and emotionally “light on its feet.” What emotional or conceptual thread do you keep returning to when you write?
MALIWA: I don’t chase a specific concept—I let inspiration lead the way. Luckily, I almost always have ideas when I sit down at my instruments. Fingers crossed it stays that way.
Creative Approach
Q: When a new track starts, what usually comes first for you: a chord progression, a drum pocket, a sample/texture, a guitar phrase, or a specific emotion?
MALIWA: I don’t have a fixed process—every track starts differently. I can be inspired by almost anything: a chord, a little lick, a drum groove, a new sound, or a mood. Whatever shows up first becomes the starting point, and from there, I build the track.
Personal & Creativity-Related
Q: You share a lot of your world through Instagram. How do visuals and short-form content shape your creative process—does social media inspire you, pressure you, or help you stay connected?
MALIWA: For me, social media is at its best when it does what it was meant to do: connect you with inspiring people around the world. It’s how I’ve found almost all of my collaborators, and I love discovering new ideas through other artists’ channels. But if I’m being honest, it can get overwhelming fast—and I still catch myself spending way more time on it than I should.
Q: Do you have a routine or ritual that helps you stay productive—or do you thrive more on spontaneity?
MALIWA: I don’t really have a routine. But I usually have works-in-progress with other people, so I’m always motivated to move things forward. I want each track to be as good as I can make it—that’s what drives me.
Q: How do you deal with creative blocks, self-doubt, or periods of silence—especially when you’ve built a project that’s known for regular releases?
MALIWA: I allow it. It’s rare for me to have no ideas—usually, as soon as I focus, I start creating. But I don’t panic anymore if nothing shows up for a while. I keep learning, let myself be inspired, and it comes back. Luckily, that’s always been the case for me.
Inspiration & Listening
Q: Which artists or albums have inspired you most recently—and what did they unlock in you creatively (jazz harmony, drum swing, sound design, texture, arrangement, mix choices)?
MALIWA: I’ve been listening to a lot of Kenny Burrell lately—an American jazz guitarist with incredible flow and versatility. I’d love to absorb even a small piece of that and bring it into my own playing. And I’ve been a big fan of Tom Misch for years—a superb songwriter, producer, and all-round talent.
Q: If you could recommend one piece of music—any genre—that everyone should listen to at least once, what would it be (and why that one)?
MALIWA: Then maybe a L’indécis track. I’m not sure everyone needs to hear it, but it started this whole journey for me—and it’s still super groovy and tasteful: “L’indécis – Soulful.”
Creative Philosophy & Vision
Q: In lo-fi, the line between “beautiful” and “generic” can be thin. What role do experimentation and risk-taking play in your music—and what do you do to keep your sound fresh while staying MALIWA recognizably?
MALIWA: Experimentation is very important to me—I could do it all day. I’m open to all kinds of music and influences, and I’m always trying new things and creating unpredictable moments. I make music with whatever I can get my hands on. I’m not sure I have a clearly recognizable style yet, but exploring is the best way I know to develop one.
Q: If there were no limits—no budget, no deadlines, no technical restrictions—what would your dream creative project look like?
MALIWA: I’d love to write an album with Tom Misch and L’indécis—and then tour it with them.
From Silence to Sound – Creative Identity
Q: I often explore how personal decisions shape a musician’s signature sound. Which choices most strongly define your sound—chord language, groove, drum texture, instrument palette, the way you treat “imperfection,” your mix aesthetics?
MALIWA: I don’t have a specific strategy for that, but you’ll probably always hear my guitars in my songs.
Q: Looking back, what have been the most important turning points in your creative journey—moments that changed how you make music or how you think about release strategy, collaboration, and consistency?
MALIWA: Learning to record myself, learning to produce, and staying open to collaborations.
Closing
Q: What do you hope listeners feel or take away when they experience your music—especially on days when they need calm, focus, or a reset?
MALIWA: I hope listeners can unwind and nod their heads to my music.
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to someone at the beginning of their creative journey (especially someone navigating doubt or a “silent phase”), what would it be?
MALIWA: Be open-minded. Try out everything you can musically. It doesn’t matter if anyone else likes it, as long as you like it. Start songs and finish them. Keep going. Keep learning. Immerse yourself in the craft and dive in headfirst. Love what you do.
Q: Finally, what’s next for you—what should we be looking forward to?
MALIWA: I’m constantly working on new songs with people scattered all over the globe. I really enjoy this varied and creative process. I hope I can meet more of my collaborators in real life, not just online.