Deva Mahal was born with blues in her blood. Beginning from her upbringing in Kaua’i, Hawaii to discovering her voice in New Zealand, it’s there where she solidified her vision of becoming an artist. Deva’s star continued to rise and in 2018, she released her aptly named debut album, Run Deep, followed by a series of singles released in 2019 by Motéma Music.
During this time Deva toured the world, gracing the stages of the Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall, Bonnaroo, the Montreal Jazz Festival, Byron Bay Blues Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, London Jazz Festival, along with many other esteemed events and venues. She has had the pleasure of collaborating with a number of musicians; Jaleel Bunton of TV on the Radio, Binky Griptite of Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Living Color, and the New York Pops Orchestra, and has performed on stage alongside such legends as Etta James, Dianne Reeves, Maceo Parker, Bettye Lavette, The Roots, and Cyndi Lauper.
At the start of 2020, Mahal returned to New Zealand where she was struck with devastating medical news, then the pandemic hit which lead her rediscover her roots and to reimagine her future. Through this hugely confronting experience that challenged her identity as a woman and the pain that was hidden inside of her body, lyrics emerged and songs developed. Her songwriting was transformed by her desire to holistically heal those influential traumas and wounds. It’s through this time that Deva has become renewed and inspired. Released 28 August, ‘Stand In’ is the first of many songs sharing her chronicles; she can’t wait to share more with you.
