Putting together the puzzle of life piece by piece, Gwyneth Alicia Mawlong, after her most recent release of ‘Am I’, an extended play (EP) in September 2022 expresses her innermost thoughts. Engaging with Sunday Shillong on a tete-a-tete, Mawlong unravels what makes her the person/artist she is today. Excerpts from the interview:
Your debut album ‘Am I’ leaves the audience with a space to fill in the blanks. What was your intention while naming it so?
The full form of the title track is ‘Am I’ (What you’re looking for).
I felt that it was too long for a song title, so I left it at ‘Am I’ which leaves room for boundless possibilities of self-discovery and expression.
Tell us about your musical journey.
The first time I walked onto a stage with my guitar was at the Loreto Convent Hall in 1981. The song I chose to perform was ‘Where do you go to my lovely’ by Peter Sarstedt. It is an adult –themed song. In the middle of the song, Mother Superior had the curtain close down on me to my utter surprise. I was 13 years old. It was a defining moment for me.
The road has been long for me, spanning over three decades of musical adventures and endless roller coaster rides. It is a wonderful feeling indeed to reach this point of accomplishment and completion with the release of my debut EP ‘Am I’. I penned down most of the songs that are on the EP, in my early 20’s. The only latest track is ‘Letter to us’ written during the start of the pandemic in 2020 which I completed in February 2022.
In your private circles, you’ve been a musician of name. What was that moment that prompted you to go public?
I don’t believe in labels. I don’t believe in living life in a box of labels. Back in the day, the term ‘coming out’ was non-existent. As I journeyed through life, looking back, I am constantly appreciative of the amazing relationships I have had with both men and women, who have encouraged me to embrace my calling for music, and helping me overcome the many challenges, heartache and pain, loneliness and sorrow. After all this, I finally felt ready.
It is said, when the world is in despair, art through music, books, poetry and prose has immense healing powers. What are your thoughts?
After having gone through traumatic experiences as a child and a young adult, I found my safe place in music and poetry. These art forms have saved, healed and restored my spirit and strength from time to time.
What message would you like to convey to other women artists?
My message is simple – ‘keep going, till you are satisfied…’
—end of interview—
Paving the way for many other women to follow suit, Mawlong threads rhythmic blends into fine chords showcasing talent and grit.
The artist, Gwyneth Alicia Mawlong has co-founded the first all-female band in Shillong, which was called ‘Mermaid’ and was its vocalist and bass player. She has also previously worked as a Radio Jockey (RJ) at Shillong’s maiden FM Channel (Radio Ooh LaLa) in 2007-2008. Apart from that, she also initiated and organised an exclusive musical event called ‘Divas night’ that showcased the musical talent and creativity of female artists from in and outside Shillong, in the year 2002- 2006.
Interviewed by Esha Chaudhuri
AM I
Words & music- Gwyneth Mawlong
I’ve come to tell you this/ I’ve got reasons that just can’t be missed
I’ve got bruises on my back/ I got nothing but my living fact
I got mountains to climb/ I got milestones behind
I’m a steady woman- show/ I wear my shining armour everywhere I go
** I got sunshine on my shoulders when I need to feel warm
I got the moon ‘neath my pillow/ when I reach for the dawn
CHO: And I’m losing the pain that I felt so long ago
And I’m living again/ I don’t remember anymore
The raging battlefields/ the madness of war
I’ve even the score… so tell me tell me
Am I what you’re looking for?
And I’m not going back again/ there’s no need for me to pretend
Yeah I know what people can do/ building on accuses
When they can’t get you
** I can be the highest mountain/ that can touch your sky
I can be the longest river that can never run dry