Brooklyn's own CIAO MALZ, the musical moniker of Filipino-American artist Malia DelaCruz, is back with a brand new single, 'Two Feet Tall', a shimmering, slightly warped indie gem with a distinctly surfy edge. This latest offering provides a tantalising glimpse into her upcoming debut EP, 'Safe Then Sorry,' due out December 6th on Audio Antihero Records.
DelaCruz's musical journey began in Connecticut, where she immersed herself in her dad's eclectic mixtapes, featuring the likes of Oasis, the Eagles, and the Dave Matthews Band. Her creative spark ignited when she received a white MacBook, becoming inseparable from GarageBand, and filling its hard drive with countless hours of guitar tracks and experimental vocal melodies. This passion for sonic exploration even led her to secretly record history lectures, transforming them into unique songs to share with friends.
Her path eventually led her to New York City to attend St. John's University. While searching for a studio apartment, she stumbled upon a music studio in the Lower East Side. This accidental discovery became a creative haven, and she dove headfirst into collaborating with local artists like Hannah Pruzinsky, Ceci Sturman, and James Chrisman of the acclaimed Brooklyn band Sister.
In 2020, DelaCruz took a leap of faith, debuting her solo project CIAO MALZ with a live performance backed by college friends. A string of self-released singles followed in 2021, earning her attention from the likes of NPR: WFUV and Loud Women.
Her connection with Audio Antihero Records blossomed in 2023 after she released a captivating cover of Frog's 'You Know I'm Down'. The label, impressed by her distinctive sound and raw talent, snapped her up, eager to release her debut EP, 'Safe Then Sorry.' This eclectic collection of songs draws inspiration from a diverse range of artists, including Jordana, Elliott Smith, Jerry Jeff Walker, and Men I Trust. The EP promises an honest, introspective journey infused with DelaCruz's experiences as a young woman of colour, all wrapped in a captivating sonic tapestry.
'Two Feet Tall' itself dives into the all-too-familiar feeling of procrastination and the accompanying sense of shrinking self-worth. As DelaCruz explains, "It's the pile of clothes growing bigger and feeling yourself getting smaller. Regardless of the overcompensation, the mountains to hide behind — that unsettling feeling persists."
With 'Two Feet Tall', CIAO MALZ delivers a powerful and relatable anthem for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by the weight of avoidance. Mark your calendars for December 6th and prepare to be swept away by the sonic world of 'Safe Then Sorry'.
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