Ciao Malz

Ciao Malz
GenresIndie, singer-songwriter
OccupationMusician
LabelsAudio Antihero

Ciao Malz (stylized in all caps) is a Brooklyn-based indie rock project by Filipino American[1][2] multi-instrumentalist Malia DelaCruz,[3][4] in collaboration with James Chrisman and Felix Walworth.[5]

Early life

Malia DelaCruz was born and raised in Waterford, Connecticut. She relocated to New York City in 2014 to attend St. John's University in Queens.[3]

Music career

DelaCruz issued her first single under the CIAO MALZ name (Always Be My Maybe) on May 28, 2021,[6][7] following it with a series of self-releases.[4][8] In August of 2023, DelaCruz recorded a cover of Frog's You Know I’m Down.[4][9]

On November 15, 2024, CIAO MALZ released the Two Feet Tall single via Audio Antihero.[10][11][12] The Safe Then Sorry EP followed on December 6, 2024.[13][14][3]

In March, she published a cover of "Clementine" by Elliott Smith.[15][16]

Discography

EPs

  • To Go (CIAOMONEY RECORDS, 2022)
  • Safe Then Sorry (Audio Antihero, 2024)

Singles

  • Always Be My Maybe (CIAOMONEY RECORDS, 2021)
  • Tracks (CIAOMONEY RECORDS, 2021)
  • Circumstancey (CIAOMONEY RECORDS, 2022)
  • Same Thing (CIAOMONEY RECORDS, 2023)
  • Pearl (CIAOMONEY RECORDS, 2023)
  • Two Feet Tall (Audio Antihero, 2024)

Compilation Appearances

  • Rue Defense Tape Club: December 2025 (Rue Defense, 2025) - Contributes "Two Feets Tall"

Other credits

  • Various Artists – For Palestine (GUNK, 2023) – Bass on "Gorilla vs. Cold Water (live)" by Sister.
  • Avery FriedmanFlowers Fell – Single (Self-Release, 2024 / Audio Antihero, 2025) – Additional Recording
  • Avery Friedman – Photo Booth – Single (Audio Antihero, 2025) – Additional Recording
  • Avery Friedman – New Thing – Single (Audio Antihero, 2025) – Additional Recording
  • Avery Friedman – New Thing – Album (Audio Antihero, 2025) – Additional Recording[17]

References

  1. ^ "Ciao Malz: NY Slice Session 2025 | WFUV". WFUV.
  2. ^ "New Music Reviews (12/9)". KEXP.
  3. ^ a b c Campbell, Caleb. "Premiere: CIAO MALZ Shares New EP 'Safe Then Sorry' – Stream It Below". Under the Radar Magazine.
  4. ^ a b c "CIAO MALZ – Safe Then Sorry (Album Review)". KLOF Mag. November 21, 2024.
  5. ^ "Ciao Malz — Safe Then Sorry EP – turn and work". December 6, 2024.
  6. ^ "Ciao Malz: Always Be My Maybe". LOUD WOMEN. May 30, 2021.
  7. ^ "NY Slice Artists | WFUV". wfuv.org.
  8. ^ Team, Unheard Gems (November 16, 2021). ""Tracks" – Ciao Malz | Review". Unheard Gems.
  9. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: CIAO MALZ (Malia DelaCruz) 'Two Feet Tall' Single Premiere - God Is In The TV". God Is In the TV. 2024-11-14. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  10. ^ "BBC Radio 6 Music – New Music Fix, Spotlight on New Delhi's experimental electronic scene". BBC.
  11. ^ "BBC Radio Scotland – Roddy Hart, 19/11/2024". BBC.
  12. ^ "WFUV On Air Playlist | WFUV". October 3, 2024. Archived from the original on 3 October 2024.
  13. ^ Glab, John (2025-02-19). "CIAO MALZ - "Safe Then Sorry" | Album Review". POST-TRASH. Retrieved 2025-12-14.
  14. ^ Staff, The Alt Editing (December 6, 2024). "EP Review: Ciao Malz – 'Safe Then Sorry'". The Alternative.
  15. ^ "BBC Radio Scotland – Roddy Hart, 13/05/2025". BBC. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
  16. ^ "Muso's Guide - Ciao Malz Covers Elliott Smith In Session". Muso's Guide. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  17. ^ "ALBUM REVIEW: Avery Friedman's Debut Is A Bold, Instinctual 'New Thing'". No Depression: Roots Music and Culture Journalism. 2025-04-14. Retrieved 2025-12-14.