Just Mia just wants to make music

Glowing with a radiance only acquired by a handful of people who have found their true purpose in life, local artist Mia Malherbe is paving her own way with her unique voice and alternative style.

This artist, better known by her stage name, Just Mia grew up in Pringle Bay – a small coastal town in the Western Cape. Growing up with her visual-artist father, she has always been exposed to both the beauty and the ugliness of the world in the most visual of ways.

“My father loved painting and he loved music. He was fond of playing vinyl records to my brother and I. However, when my mother died when I was just a little baby, my father’s muse died too. Even though his inspiration returned after a few years, he struggled as an artist during that time,” she said.

“I was about four years old when I started singing for anyone who was willing to listen. But, as I grew older I dismissed the possibility of pursuing music and the performing arts as a future career because I experienced first-hand how my dad struggled to make a living from it.”

Fast forward a few years later, and Mia is at university studying towards what she thought to be a more practical qualification. In her second year she joined an a cappella group, and she instantly felt more at home than she had in a very long time.

“They took me under their wing and that’s when I knew I wanted to pursue music. I knew I wouldn’t be doing what I was studying towards at the time. There was no running away from music anymore,” Mia said.

In 2013, during her third year at university, she participated in Idols for the first time, received a Golden Ticket and made it to the Top 80. Even though it was an emotional experience for her, she participated in Idols again in 2016, received a Golden Ticket once again, and this time around, made it to the Top 50.

“It was a traumatic experience for me, but I know it just made me a stronger artist. It was part of growing and I wouldn’t have been the same person without it,” she said.

Trusting the process, Mia auditioned for The Voice in 2018, which aired the following year. After having had the honour of going up against other amazing upcoming artists, she made it to the Top 32.

“I learned so much through The Voice and it humbled me so much. They are really focused on cultivating the craft which inspired me even more. It reminded me once again that I’m not in it for the money or the fame – I just want to make music and better myself in the process. I’d rather chase happiness than money,” she explained.

With her passion for both music and children, one thing led to the other and at the end of 2019, she started giving music lessons at Swallow 15. After giving her first lesson, Mia knew that’s where she was supposed to be – making music and igniting the flame in little ones.

“I want to keep on doing this for the rest of my life. I am so happy and content; I can’t imagine myself doing anything else. Creating, making and sharing music is my life, and I couldn’t have asked for anything better. Despite my father’s past situation, I remain in awe of him. Even though he is a beekeeper now, he still loves music and even started playing the violin,” she said.

Mia has released four singles which are available on most music platforms. They are Hey Jy, Poskaart uit die Karoo, Liefdeslaaf and her most recent hit single Here I Go Again.

The latter even made it to #2 on 5FM’s well-known Indie Charts where it fluctuated for about six months. Hearing her song on a popular music chart has been one of her proudest moments ever.

This humble artist’s goal is to release as many singles as possible over a long period.

“My dream is simply to create and make music that makes me happy. My music evoking emotions in someone will make me happier than any amount of money in my bank account ever would,” Mia said.

She is currently working on some exciting new music and can’t wait for her fans to hear it. If you would like to listen to some of her music, feel free to visit her YouTube channel, Just Mia.