Mallow Hill sparks a bright light into modern-day blues and rock & roll. The Baltimore-based band creates music that fuses together a mesmerizing symphony of raw emotion, pulsating rhythms, and electrifying melodies. The band channels an eclectic mix of musical inspiration, drawing from the likes of Gary Clark Jr, The Black Pumas, Marcus King Band, Led Zeppelin, and The Black Keys, among others, to shape their unique sonic identity.
The Baltimore quintet – Mikayla Joseph (vocals), Danny Gwinn (guitar), Mac Dignam (keys), John Menefee (drums), and Chris Reynolds (bass, harmonica, vocals) exudes an unbreakable bond of chemistry and musicianship, fortified through many years of friendship.
Mallow Hill began writing their debut album in 2023, and their evolution in the music scene became palpable, bringing a fresh, distinctive sound to life, captivating audiences with both live performances and studio recordings. Guided by the soulful vocal stylings of Mikayla Joseph and the adept guitar work of Danny Gwinn, Mallow Hill is forging a vibrant and expanding fanbase in Baltimore and into the Northeast and Southeast.
The name Mallow Hill pays homage to the street in Baltimore where the band’s origin story began. The street “Mallow Hill” has always served a purpose as a “headquarters” for music creation and collaboration, with an “open door” policy that has been established by band leader and founder, Danny Gwinn. This hub of musical creativity and collaboration eventually led to Gwinn’s introduction to Mikayla, helping to gradually shape the musical sound and soul that is Mallow Hill. It was this framework that led to the emergence and establishment of the band.
After meeting, Danny and Mikayla soon discovered that they shared the same goals, passion, and artistic vision for the group, which has given them a more defined, intentional direction to their music. With influences based in blues and soul music from all decades, Mallow Hill’s music combines elements of those sounds along with a vintage rock & roll feel with a modern production that can be heard on their upcoming debut album Soul Candy.
Enlisting the help of producer Dex Green (Elvis Costello, Margo Price, Nicole Atkins, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Shemekia Copeland), engineer Joe Costa (Ben Folds, Caitlin Rose, Amanda Palmer), along with some of Nashville’s best session players including Jack Lawrence on bass (The Raconteurs, Dead Weather, Jack White), Meg Coleman on drums (Alison Russell, Brandi Carlile, Jenny Lewis), and Ray Jacildo on keys, synth, mellotron (The Black Keys, Marcus King, Yola), and vocals from Maureen Murphy (Zac Brown Band, Marcus King) and Laura Mayo, to bring their songs to life, Mallow Hill recorded Soul Candy at 3Sirens in Nashville.
Standout tracks include their debut single, “Thinkin’ Bout My Baby,” featuring an assertive bass line and weaving a timeless narrative of personal growth amidst the tumult of toxic relationships, individuals, and habits. The resonant tones in the track “Smoke” deeply convey the song’s thematic essence, delving into the profound anguish and challenges faced by all parties entangled in the throes of substance abuse. In “Cryin’” the contemporary blues production takes center stage, showcasing Mikayla’s soulful vocals alongside an electrifying, almost psychedelic guitar solo. The final track, “Fake Your Smile” casts a brooding, almost sinister atmosphere that leaves you yearning for more.
Danny and Mikayla were fortunate to have found their calling early on, allowing them to develop their skills and talents with their respective instruments. Building this foundation has shaped their musical journeys and influenced the direction of their careers.
Their newest single, “Smoke,” is a poignant exploration of the struggles surrounding addiction and substance abuse. “I think a lot of people will be able to relate to this song for several different reasons,” says singer Mikayla Joseph. “Writing it was my way of expressing what it’s like to deal with someone you love struggling with addiction and substance abuse and how it presents itself in relationships. It healed my heart just a little bit. Fighting the demons that push you into a place where you become dependent on drugs and alcohol is hard enough by itself, trying to do it alone is even harder. And loving an addict is heartbreaking.”
Recorded at famed 3Sirens in Nashville, “Smoke” was produced, arranged, and co-written by Grammy-nominated Dex Green. He also played synth, mellotron, and organ for the track. The song was engineered by Joe Costa, with Jack Lawrence on bass. Mallow Hill’s debut album will be released later this year.
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