New Music, New Label, New Beginnings: In Conversation with Jessica Mauboy
Photo Cred: Supplied
Jessica Mauboy has long been one of Australia’s most recognisable voices for nearly 20 years. Recently inducted into the National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) Hall of Fame, she has become not only a household name but also a cultural trailblazer whose music continues to evolve alongside her. Through her warmth and strength, she has continued to make incredible achievements till this day and are honoured to have her join us in conversation with Unraveled Edit.
While I Got Time, is a song that marks a new chapter in her music career and is reflected deeply to personal beginnings. When I asked Jess how it felt to embark on this new season of her life, she smiled and reflected on how much had happened in such a short time. “It’s been such a wonderful time,” she said. “There have been so many firsts this year. At first, it all felt like an overload, but then I just felt grateful.”
Just two months after giving birth to her daughter Mia, her publisher called with a mysterious but irresistible project. The brief was simple, capturing the essence of letting go of the past with grace, embracing the future, and spending time with loved ones. Jess knew her heart was sold on this project as soon as it came about and was keen to collaborate with long-time partner PJ Harding. Within half an hour in the studio, the heart of While I Got Time was born.
What she did not know at the time was that the track would become the farewell song for one of Australia’s most beloved TV characters, Irene Roberts from Home and Away. “When I realised, I bawled my eyes out,” she recalled. “It just made sense the song was perfect for her. It was one of the most honouring and amazing projects I had ever been a part of.”
With a song full of vulnerability and emotions, I was keen to ask Jess how it feels to open up in her songs and music. “It’s probably my most comfortable space,” she explained. “When you strip everything back. No production, no distraction and it’s just your voice telling the story. That’s also the scariest place to be, because it’s so raw. But it’s also the most real.”
She mentioned how artists like Lady Gaga inspired her with the ability to move seamlessly between high-production pop and bare, heartfelt performances. With her own label now, Jess felt free to explore that space more intentionally. “This was the first single off my new label,” she said proudly. “It was about going back to basics and having full creative control. It felt like I was at the beginning again and I wanted to be a role model for other artists too.”
Beyond music, Jess has also carved out a path as a businesswoman. A few years ago, she launched her own suncare brand, Desert Rose, building it from the ground up with a vision to authentically represent young women and her community. She spoke about how daunting it was at first to step into an entirely new industry, but also how instinctively she felt the need to take that leap.
Reflecting on her long career, I asked Jess what had kept her grounded through the highs and lows of life in the spotlight. Her answer was family. “I’m one of five girls,” she said. “We grew up sharing everything. No one was better than the other and we only had each other. That always kept me level-headed.”
She described this same value as an extension of her work. Collaboration, sharing experiences, and making space for others was most important to her. She believes that “Kindness goes a long way. It’s like lightning. It can spread instantly, even in ways you don’t realise. If we all carried that more, the world would be a different place.”
Jess’s evolution as an artist, a mother, and an entrepreneur has shaped so many, inspiring others to embrace their own creativity, take risks, and pursue their passions with authenticity and courage. I am in awe of her resilience and drive to create so many remarkable moments in her life, and I can’t wait to see what she achieves next.
Her latest single, While I Got Time, is now available on all major streaming platforms, offering listeners an intimate glimpse into Jess Mauboy’s journey of vulnerability, reflection, and new beginnings.