At just 18 years old, Shalom Malee is already making a significant impact in Christian music. She started releasing music about a year and a half ago after writing and developing songs for several years. With seven singles out—including “Waves,” “Trust Issues,” “Long Week,” and “I’m All In”—she keeps blending vulnerable storytelling with energetic pop-rock. In this conversation, she shares her journey into music, the health battles that influenced her songwriting, and how God continues to guide her into the next season. NRT collaborator Bradden Ford spoke to Shalom about chronic illness, depression, and the powerful story behind “Make It Something.”
For those just discovering you, can you introduce yourself and share how you got started in music?
Yeah, of course. I’m Shalom Malee. I’m an 18-year-old singer-songwriter, and I’ve been releasing songs for about three years now, which is so crazy. I honestly never thought I would be doing this.
I always wanted to go into music and be a songwriter and music producer, but I never really thought I had the personality to release music. That’s what I believed at the time. But the Lord works in funny ways.
When I was 13, I started taking voice lessons in Nashville, mostly over Zoom and sometimes in person. I did that for about two years. After that, my voice teacher suggested connecting me with a producer she knew, Tyler Moody. I was really surprised because I wasn’t confident in my voice or in my ability to perform.
But we met, and it just clicked. We co-wrote my song “Waves” in about an hour. It was crazy how well it went. I recorded it when I was just turning 15, and about a year later, we released it. Since then, I’ve released seven songs. It’s truly been a God story. I never imagined this path, but He’s allowed it to grow in ways I couldn’t have planned.
Looking back from “Waves” to “I’m All In,” what has God taught you through the journey?
I’ve learned so much from the mentors and music people in my life who have poured into me—especially Tyler. At the beginning, we did a lot of co-writes. Later, I brought in songs like “Make It Something,” “Long Week,” and “I’m All In” and asked for feedback. Those co-writes really helped me grow as a songwriter.
More than anything, I’ve always wanted to be honest in my music. There are so many amazing songs about how incredible the Lord is, and I love worshiping to those. But sometimes we need Christian music that’s honest about the struggle and how hard life can be.
That’s something I didn’t see much of growing up, so I wanted to create it. Over the years, my writing has become increasingly honest, and I’m thankful for that.
Many people think you need to be older to pursue your calling. What would you say to that?
You can’t put an age limit on hardships. There are kids dealing with cancer, depression, anxiety—heavy things. Everyone has their therapy. For me, it’s music.
When you deal with pain at a younger age, it matures you. It makes you think, “If this is my calling, I’m just going to go all in.” And if I want to speak to people my age, it makes sense to do it while I am their age. There’s no age limit to what the Lord can do.
Your song “Make It Something” is incredibly vulnerable. Can you share the story behind it?
That’s one of the most vulnerable songs I’ve ever written. I never thought I would release it, but I think that was the best thing I ever done.
When I was eight, I was diagnosed with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and POTS disorder. By the time I was 16, I had been dealing with pain for eight years. That’s when it really hit me that there isn’t a cure. I know the Lord can heal, but if He chooses not to, how am I going to live my life?
I started dealing with deep depression and anxiety. I was bitter and blamed God. One day, I was driving and just letting everything out to Him, saying I didn’t understand and that I didn’t want to be here anymore. I even started driving on the wrong side of the road on a back road, just waiting. By the grace of God, a car never came.
That night, I broke down to my parents. They prayed for me and were everything I needed. I went to my room and wrote “Make It Something” faster than any song I’ve ever written. When I finished it, I just cried because I realized the Lord had already turned something so negative into something good.
I still deal with depression and anxiety, but it’s different now. I see the good. I have joy that only the Lord can give.
Do you have a favorite song you’ve released so far?
That’s hard. I must pick two because they’re different styles. If I’m choosing the most vulnerable, it’s always “Make It Something.” When I’m having dark days, I turn that on and remind myself that the Lord has already made it something.
If I want a pop-rock vibe, probably “Trust Issues.” It’s vulnerable too, but in a more fun, lighthearted way.
Who are some of your musical inspirations?
I’ve always loved Lauren Daigle. She’s so unapologetically herself. Her album Look Up Child really inspired me because it was so unique.
I also love Christian artists Allison Eide, Grace Graber—she’s been an incredible mentor—TobyMac, who was the first concert I ever went to, and Samantha Ebert. Her song “Flowers” got me through so much. I admire artists who are honest. That’s what I want to be.
What’s next for you?
I would love to release music all the time, but I don’t live in Nashville yet. I’m about two hours away. I graduated this year, and right now I’m focusing on learning music production. I’m taking online classes and soaking up everything I can.
When I was 13, before I ever thought about releasing music, I told my parents I wanted to be a music producer. That’s always been a huge passion of mine. My goal is to learn everything I can this year, produce my own music from home, release independently, and eventually produce for other artists, too. I have a lot of songs ready—I just want to be fully equipped to create them.
How can we be praying for you in this season?
That the Lord continues to inspire me and that I allow Him to lead in every area of my life as I continue to write and create. I want to continue being an example of love, music, and everything I do.
Bradden Ford is a Christian music enthusiast responsible for managing NewReleaseToday's new release database of artists and albums. He resides just outside Nashville, Tennessee.
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