Malia

Someone throw the music industry a life saver. It’s credibility is drowning because of the flood of singers who can’t actually sing (see Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, Ke$ha). These so called vocalists have gained fame and fortune despite not being able to carry a tune to save their lives (see Miley Cyrus on ABC special, see Ke$ha on Saturday Night Live and a host of others).

At Least Britney is smart enough to lip sync since she knows her live vocals suck. I am amazed that these “pop tarts” can be so successful when they would be booed off any karaoke stage with the terrible voices they possess. Just shows you what a lot of money spent on marketing, promotions, producers, and lots of overdubbing and other studio techniques can do for you. Funny how the least important requirement for music stardom these days is actually having any talent.

If talent is what you are desperate for in a performer, a new star is on the horizon. 19 year old Malia from Keller, Texas is an amazing singer, songwriter, and musician whose folksy rock/country style will leave you mezmorized and in awe of her beautiful voice, incredible lyrics, and musical talents on the guitar, ukulele, piano, and oboe. Malia is Hawaiian and her name means calm and peaceful, and star of the sea. Malia’s music is soothing to the soul, and she is destined to be a star of the sea, land, and airwaves.

Malia, born in Kauai, proved to be quite the performer at an early age, becoming Island Hula champion at age four, and began playing the oboe (wind instrument) at age ten, and became a classically trained musician capable of writing sheet music. Malia became aware of her vocal talents at age fourteen when she had to fill in for another singer at a church service and sang a solo in front of 2000 people who were blown away by her vocal ability. Malia went on to play concerts in Africa, Italy, and Guatemala, touring with legendary worship leader Paul Wilbur, playing oboe, singing backup, and performing some original songs. At age fifteen, Malia starting writing her own music, focusing mostly on worship music, but decided in 2009 that her musical style was more suited to her real life experiences and the musical poet Malia had found her true calling.

Malia then began recording and posting her music on You Tube (search: maybemalia) and there’s no maybe about it that her unique sound and brilliant lyrics are catching the eyes of record labels from Nashville to Los Angeles.

Malia has performed her original music at The American Airlines Center, Gilley’s Dallas, House Of Blues, LaGrange in Deep Ellum, and has sang the national anthem for the Dallas Vigilantes, Frisco Roughriders, and Grand Prairie AirHogs.

Songs such as A Corner, Delicate, Find Me, My Old Friend, Trying Goodbye, Voices, Heartbreak Maze, Maquerade, and So Alive are testimonials to this incredible artists’ pure and undeniable talent. “In a word, GREAT !” is what A&R legend Michael Rosenblatt had to say about Malia (Rosenblatt discovered Madonna). The sky is the limit for Malia. Now if we can only get the music industry to realize the sky is falling and it’s time to sign and promote artists they don’t have to manufacture and cover up their lack of talent. I have a novel concept. It’s revolutionary. A little out there. Could be controversial. Pushing the envelope. Here it is. Are you ready ? Sign and promote artists like Malia who can actually really sing, write meaningful and deep lyrics, and are true musicians. What do you think ? Too radical?

By Turner Fargate
- Scoreboard Monthly

Malia at the Dallas House of Blues on Sunday Sept. 19, 2010
Dallas News, Staff Writer, Stephanie Pierson

It isn’t often that we know – I mean absolutely know – that we are in the presence of a star. And yet Malia’s performance at the House of Blues last Sunday Sept. 19 made that abundantly clear. Bottom line: the entire performance was stunning and soon Malia will be one of the most well-known and loved performers on earth.
Her opening song, an original titled My Old Friend, literally left the crowd breathless. The song is about jealousy that arises in friendships between teenage girls, and the melody is exciting and haunting at the same time. That immediately led into another original titled Masquerade – a magnificent blend of country, urban pop, club and rap with the great Dallas rapper J Fresh joining Malia.
The only cover song of the night, a soul-filled rendition of the Pussycat Dolls’ Don’tcha came next, but the style and originality of Malia came through so boldly that one is hesitant to call it a cover. The band was obviously having as great a time as the crowd was, and Malia’s introduction of each member was filled with heart and style. Next, Malia had the stage to herself, just a stool and her guitar, for a powerful original called Voices, about speaking for those who have no voice of their own. Two girls standing next to me were crying as Malia belted, “Innocence is raining from my eyes.” Her pink guitar on her lap occasionally strummed, it was the purity of Malia’s voice that pierced the audience.
The last two songs, A Corner (which was Malia’s first to reach 100,000 views on YouTube) and Goodbye Too Soon (a Hawaiian / country masterpiece) completed Malia’s House of Rock debut. And there is no doubt – this girl has it all: a pure, honest and soulful voice, jaw-dropping beauty and lyrics that penetrate the mind and heart.
Now for the comparisons. It is inevitable for us to search for comparisons. Who does Malia remind you of? It’s not an easy question to answer. Her voice is somewhat like Colbie Caillet, but Malia is more thought-provoking. There may be an element of Jason Moraz, but Malia is more authentic (after all, Malia was an island hula champion). Some in the crowd mentioned Norah Jones, but Malia is more approachable. Still others mentioned Coldplay, but Malia’s style is more accessible.
The only comparison that hit me was this: Malia and her band are a youthful – yet entirely original -- version of the Black Eyed Peas. The diversity of the world is represented in her band (Malia is Asian and Jewish and her band is African American, Hispanic, Indian and Caucasian). Still, the sound was pure Malia. She may well be on her way to becoming one of the most influential singer / songwriters of this generation.
See more of Malia at her website, www.maliamusic.net and her YouTube page, www.youtube.com/maybemalia.
- Dallas News

Malia at the Dallas House of Blues on Sunday Sept. 19, 2010
Dallas News, Staff Writer, Stephanie Pierson

It isn’t often that we know – I mean absolutely know – that we are in the presence of a star. And yet Malia’s performance at the House of Blues last Sunday Sept. 19 made that abundantly clear. Bottom line: the entire performance was stunning and soon Malia will be one of the most well-known and loved performers on earth.
Her opening song, an original titled My Old Friend, literally left the crowd breathless. The song is about jealousy that arises in friendships between teenage girls, and the melody is exciting and haunting at the same time. That immediately led into another original titled Masquerade – a magnificent blend of country, urban pop, club and rap with the great Dallas rapper J Fresh joining Malia.
The only cover song of the night, a soul-filled rendition of the Pussycat Dolls’ Don’tcha came next, but the style and originality of Malia came through so boldly that one is hesitant to call it a cover. The band was obviously having as great a time as the crowd was, and Malia’s introduction of each member was filled with heart and style. Next, Malia had the stage to herself, just a stool and her guitar, for a powerful original called Voices, about speaking for those who have no voice of their own. Two girls standing next to me were crying as Malia belted, “Innocence is raining from my eyes.” Her pink guitar on her lap occasionally strummed, it was the purity of Malia’s voice that pierced the audience.
The last two songs, A Corner (which was Malia’s first to reach 100,000 views on YouTube) and Goodbye Too Soon (a Hawaiian / country masterpiece) completed Malia’s House of Rock debut. And there is no doubt – this girl has it all: a pure, honest and soulful voice, jaw-dropping beauty and lyrics that penetrate the mind and heart.
Now for the comparisons. It is inevitable for us to search for comparisons. Who does Malia remind you of? It’s not an easy question to answer. Her voice is somewhat like Colbie Caillet, but Malia is more thought-provoking. There may be an element of Jason Moraz, but Malia is more authentic (after all, Malia was an island hula champion). Some in the crowd mentioned Norah Jones, but Malia is more approachable. Still others mentioned Coldplay, but Malia’s style is more accessible.
The only comparison that hit me was this: Malia and her band are a youthful – yet entirely original -- version of the Black Eyed Peas. The diversity of the world is represented in her band (Malia is Asian and Jewish and her band is African American, Hispanic, Indian and Caucasian). Still, the sound was pure Malia. She may well be on her way to becoming one of the most influential singer / songwriters of this generation.
See more of Malia at her website, www.maliamusic.net and her YouTube page, www.youtube.com/maybemalia.
- Dallas News