Ben Tolich is Mali Mali, a singer-songwriter from Auckland. Mali Mali has just released its sophomore album As a Dog Dreams - a beautiful collection of songs deeply rooted in the subconscious and the world of thought.
For most musicians there was a time or moment in their life that triggered the decision to write or perform music. For Ben it was a gradual thing over many years, “I started learning songs by ear that I heard from skate videos around 2001. After a while I started writing my own songs. I’ve always had a desire to create from a young age and at some point after leaving school in 2005 I made a decision to pursue music as my main creative endeavour.”
It is interesting that Ben decided to record his new album, As a Dog Dreams, all by himself. This is not an easy task and is a very long one, especially when you have to teach many aspects of it to yourself. Increasingly, in today’s music world, self-recording and self-producing is becoming more common. The technology and knowledge is more easily accessible than it used to be and there’s something satisfying about doing it yourself and having complete control over the process.
“I didn’t think I had the know-how to record and mix myself so I put it off for a while,” Ben says. “I guess the urge to just play around and have some fun gradually overruled my initial fears. I thought the songs were strong and I was actually okay with the idea of it sounding pretty rough. I think it came out better than I had expected. I’m really happy with the result creatively but also personally. Overcoming fears is a great feeling.”
As a Dog Dreams is new territory for Ben, although it’s as quintessential Mali Mali as it can be, done entirely by him. It features guest musicians from all throughout the Auckland scene. Layers of beautifully performed music are delicately and perfectly woven around and between Ben’s lyrics and melodies. His trademark acoustic guitar and synthesiser combination is clearly heard throughout the album and create a soundtrack to his investigations of the subconscious and his own mind.
“I really like the song ‘Jools The Dream Interpreter’. It’s a conversation I had with my psychotherapist. I was talking to him about a dream and he interpreted it much differently to what I thought. I like it because it speaks to the roll of the subconscious. It’s not necessarily about having a clear answer. But being given two different ideas and finding your own place in the paradox.”
The name Mali Mali came, in part, from an affectionate nickname bestowed upon Ben by his grandfather. Starting this band, and stage name, threw Ben into the Auckland music scene, playing with established bands such as Great North and Artisan Guns, and releasing a debut EP and album. Despite at times Mali Mali being a band, the project has always been about Ben and his songs.
“I guess I’ve always liked the idea of a separate name that sits between the performer and the audience - both sides invest in to it and create something unique to them. It’s a name that has personal meaning but ultimately it’s just a face for whatever you’re experiencing with the music. It leaves things a little bit ambiguous.”
With the recording (and releasing) of As a Dog Dreams under his belt, we asked Ben what was next. “Big question! More tours in New Zealand and overseas are always in the pipeline. I’m really glad I invested that energy in to the album but the down side was I feel out of the loop with touring. Right now I’m just trying to get the cogs moving again and be an ambassador for the album. The work has only just begun and it’s an ongoing process and discussion of trying to make it fit in with the rest of life’s responsibilities.”
Ben does his best to explain the ever present question for all musicians. “To be a musician in this climate, on one hand, you have to be proactive and do what you can to reach an audience. You have to lose any sense of entitlement and understand that you only get out what you put in, this isn’t always easy. On the other hand you have to be open to opportunities and the role that luck and good timing can play. If you lean too much one way, you run the risk of burn out, either from putting too much pressure on yourself or not being realistic and constantly being let down. When it comes to show time, I’m just happy that I like the music I’m making and excited to keep making more!” (FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT)