The daughter of Australia's most successful vocalist Jimmy Barnes, Mahalia has been in and around music her entire life. Throughout her childhood years, she was exposed to everything from early Ray Charles to late Stevie Wonder, all of which helped shape her into the powerhouse soul and blues vocalist that has jaws dropping every time she picks up a mic.

Since the turn of the century, Mahalia Barnes & The Soul Mates have been performing in soul clubs and at concerts including supports for Mavis Staples, The Roots, Lionel Ritchie and James Morrison, appearances at Blues Fest and several Day On The Green shows, as well as many of their own headline shows.