Interview with singer Malyka R.Johany
Every Friday and Saturday evening, live music groups take up residence at Billy Bob’s Country Western Saloon, and tomorrow, it will be the turn of Malyka R. Johany and her musicians to rock the legendary Disney Village venue.
The opportunity to discover or rediscover this talented young artist whose career is closely linked to Disneyland Paris.
Malyka, you are not only a singer, but also an actress and dancer. How did all these talents come to light?
Initially, it comes mainly from my parents. My mother is from Benin and my father from Madagascar, countries where music is omnipresent. Everyone dances, sings and plays an instrument. As for me, I was born in Togo, in an equally festive environment. When I arrived in France, still a baby, the first albums that my mother bought were both pop music and American rap and our first video cassette was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. You have summed up my whole world there!
When I was 3 years old, my father took me to Disneyland Paris for the first time, which immediately became my little paradise. It was on this occasion that I attended my first concert. It was at the Billy Bob’s Country Western Saloonand that really affected me.
At the age of 17, I discovered musical comedy, particularly through Disney. I had already been doing theater since the age of 5, but I found there a form of expression in which I was sure I could really fulfill myself. So I left the town of Lucé, near Chartres, where my parents lived and I went up to Paris. I joined the Rick Odums school. I learned singing and dancing there, and I was also able to continue theater.
What does this theatrical training bring to your career as a singer?
Theatre allows me to tell stories and play characters. I love it! When I sing my own songs, I talk about myself, but when I sing covers, it’s very nice to discover a new character behind the words. It’s a bit like in theatre. For me, there is a very natural connection between the two.
You know Disneyland Paris well, having worked there several times. What are your memories of these experiences?
I was an actress on Stitch Live!, Art of Disney Animationinteracting with Mushu, as well as CineMagic. I loved being a Cast Member. We laughed a lot with colleagues, not to mention Stitch, who is unpredictable. We were never bored with him! I always liked the world of Disney, I felt like I was at home. I was then offered to participate in events during which I started to sing. That’s when Richard Coleon, Producer of Disney Village noticed me and invited me to come and sing at the Billy Bob’s Country Western Saloon. I remember it was July 14th, and that’s how I came to perform on this iconic stage.
Can you give us a sneak peek of your Saturday schedule?
There will be quite a few covers: a bit of Rihanna, a bit of Alanis Morissette, songs that worked particularly well at my previous concerts. There will also be songs inspired by my career, that I sang when I started out, like U2. Finally, there will be more current stuff like Miley Cyrus and for the first time “Au Soleil” by Jenifer. All of this with a “Malyka” twist!
What is great about Billy Bob’s Country Western Saloonis that we can also express ourselves as artists and present our own compositions. It is very motivating to be able to test your creations in live and observe the reactions of the audience. I already did it during a previous concert at Disney Village and I was able to see how much people appreciated my music, sometimes even more than my covers. It encouraged me a lot.
What are your sources of inspiration?
For the lyrics, my sources of inspiration are the women in my family, who all have incredible journeys. On my first EP, there was a song about my little sister, one about my mom and one about my grandmother. For the second, I wanted to do something more festive, more pop rock, and for that, I wrote lyrics in English.
How do you create your own compositions?
To create, I am always accompanied by my musician friends. My songs often come from improvisation, most often with my guitarist and my drummer, who is also a composer. In my group, everyone has several strings to their bow. We are very complementary.
Precisely, can you tell us more about your group?
For me, they are like a family. They even come to some family events! We have been working together for a long time, especially my bass player, who I have known for 13 years. When we play or create together, we tell each other things, because we trust each other, and ultimately, we know that we are going in the right direction. This Saturday, we will play as a trio: guitar, cajon and vocals (the boys sing too!). We will return to Billy Bob’s Country Western Saloon October 5th, this time more numerous: guitar, bass, drums, keyboard and vocals.
What does the room inspire in you? Billy Bob’s Country Western Saloon ?
It’s a joy to be there, to play for and with the audience. As I was telling you, that’s where I attended my very first concert. It had a big impact on me.
Afterwards, I often returned to this room without suspecting for a single moment that I would play there one day. So, when it was offered to me, I was extremely moved. It was as if the circle had been closed, as if I was finally where I was supposed to be.
I also love this room on a professional level. You feel good there as an artist. The technical team on site is just incredible. There is a stage manager, an audio and lighting technician. The sound and lighting are perfectly adjusted. And then there is this ceiling height, very impressive, and this wood which also brings something authentic. We feel that it is a room that is full of stories, that has welcomed many magnificent artists. This is also why I always put a little country element in my program, in memory of this heritage.
How do you feel on the eve of this show?
I’m so excited! I can’t wait to sing at the Billy Bob’s Country Western Saloon because we feel at home here. We are starting to find our marks, we know the team and we are impatient to meet this unique audience again, some of whom follow us from concert to concert.
