On Hip Hop, Jazz, and Procrastination

Christ & Creativity No. 2 - An interview with singer, songwriter & drummer Mariah Hlatywayo

Hey friend,

I’m excited to introduce you to Mariah Hlatywayo (lutch-why-oh). She is a singer-songwriter and drummer from Perth, Western Australia. She draws on her Christian faith and life experiences to produce a unique sound that references many different musical styles including gospel, jazz, pop, world, folk and country. 

I met Mariah through my friend Rachel Thomson. I was so impressed by the beautiful music she was writing and making here in Perth. Often I’m tempted to think that creative pursuits, especially those by Christians, are not happening in Perth, so I chased her down and awkwardly asked to interview her. She generously agreed. I was so encouraged by what she shared about creativity, faith, process and blocks, and I think it applies, even if creativity is not your day job.

Mariah grew up in a musical family and graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts in 2015 as a jazz vocalist. She released her debut single ‘My One and Only One Jesus’  in 2021 which won the Lennon award in the gospel/inspirational category of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest in 2022.

Following on from this, Mariah released her debut EP, Ain't Nothing But a Cloud' in 2022, the title track of which was nominated for a WAM song of the year award in the Hip hop/new R&B category in 2023. She is looking forward to releasing her debut album ‘My Cup Runs Over’ in June 2024. 

How did you start playing music / writing music?

I grew up in a musical family. My Dad is a guitarist and a singer and taught myself and my brother Josh to sing when we were little. Then I started learning the drums and getting singing lessons when I was in high school. My other siblings Danielle and Joel are also musicians and we really enjoy playing together. 

I discovered that I really enjoy writing music while I was studying at the Western Australian Academy of the Arts (WAAPA). This was a course requirement. I also became a Christian and started reading the Bible more around the same time. It made sense for my faith and songwriting to come together. 

Photo by Josh Wells.

How did the idea for the current album develop?

I really enjoy listening to albums—I feel like they are the musical equivalent to a visual artist’s portfolio. It’s been my dream to release my own body of work someday, and this is it!

‘My Cup Runs Over’ is titled after one of the songs on the album (hence the teacups in my photos) and draws inspiration, in part, from Psalm 23:5. The others are a collection of original songs I have written over the past seven years ranging in style from gospel, folk, jazz, and rock. I’ve had the privilege of working with some amazing musicians and sound engineers and can’t wait for everyone to hear it in June.

What are the greatest barriers/hurdles to your creative work and what helps you get around them?

Unfortunately I’m a procrastinator, but I love working towards deadlines. So I try to look for opportunities that will keep me accountable and force me to keep working on my music, like booking recording sessions every holidays, time slots at singer-songwriter nights, organising my own gigs, and singing lessons. This helps me to get my ideas out of my head and into fully formed songs. 

How does your faith impact your creativity?

I feel that God has called me to write songs about Him to bring Him glory. As with any Christian walking with the Lord, there are always uncomfortable moments that God uses to prune and shape us. I’ve found songwriting to be a great way of processing my feelings and keeping my focus on Him during these times. 

Lyrically, all of my songs are based around Bible verses and many also explore different aspects of God’s nature. While I am writing/arranging, I try to remain prayerful and invite the Holy Spirit to guide me with the creative process.

Who is another Christian creative who is making work you love? 

I really love Remedy Music, who are a collection of Christian musicians from Perth passionate about improving mental health through music. Their music is beautiful with faith-based lyrics.

I also regularly return to the gospel album ‘Lift Him Up’ by Ron Kenoly from the 90’s. Ron Kenoly is a huge musical influence and his music is a glimpse of what I imagine the music in heaven to be like—people of different cultures coming together to worship God in a range of musical styles.

Mariah’s album launch is on Saturday 18th May from 11.30am - 12.30pm at Vision Studios in Victoria Park. You can buy tickets here. Children under 12 years old are free, as this is a family-friendly event. The album will be available on all streaming platforms including in June. Find out more on Facebook, or her website.

If you missed it, check out my interview with Sam Thomson from The Praise Project.

THE SUNDAY MORNING SNUGGLE is for you, the tired and overwhelmed woman in Perth. I want you to feel seen and encouraged, and it is too hard to trawl endlessly online for beauty. All my favourite publications, Coffee + Crumbs, Ashlee Gadd, Katie Blackburn, Risen Motherhood, women writing about faith and motherhood, or fun women’s lifestyle websites like Cup of Jo, are American. This is for us. One fortnight you’ll get a deep-dive essay essay musing about motherhood, faith, creativity, attention, or whatever God is teaching me (probably patience, again). On the alternate fortnight, you’ll get a collection of poetry. Find out more here.

Tell me in the comments:

1. What are the greatest barriers to your creativity?

2. How do you get around them?

3. How does your faith impact your creativity?

4. Tell me about a Christian creative in Perth who is doing creative work you love and why!

I’ll be back in your inbox next fortnight with a poetry collection 👏👏