Brooklyn-based Filipino-American Indie artist CIAO MALZ (Malia DelaCruz) has released her
EP, ‘Safe Then Sorry,’ via the non-binary-owned Audio Antihero label (Frog / Magana /
Nosferatu D2 / Cloud), and sees her collaborate with guitarist James Chrisman (Sister.) and drummer
Felix Walworth (Told Slant / Florist).

In this interview spotlight, I chat with CIAO MALZ about the latest project, AI in creativity, dream collabs, and more.

Full Q&A along with links and music below.

This AI thing is getting way out of control. I have students using ChatGPT to write death metal songs about country music…and country songs about being sad. You can feed some Ais a text prompt and create a Hollywood-quality short film. How do you feel about this new wave of technological innovation?

I think it’s entirely scary and my brain can’t comprehend how bad it might get. I used Notebook LM recently to create a podcast of my resume and the host began to form opinions of me. A fake podcast host was judging me. I don’t use AI that much, but it is helpful for getting started on something like an email or organizing a grocery list. I’m afraid I’ll begin to rely on it in time. That said, I don’t think it can create the emotional pull that real music can. 

I know it’s hard…but what’s your favorite song and/or favorite artist of all time? If not favorite, in your top 3?

My favorite song of all time is ‘this must be the place’ by Talking Heads. I’ve always been hooked by the intro synths and overcome with joy. It’s my comfort song that I keep going back to. There’s nothing specific about the words, they’re  pretty random. I find it’s more about the little sounds doing the talking. 

Were you trying to accomplish anything specific or different with this project? What’s the back story?

I had made all the songs by myself on logic at first but wasn’t feeling great about them. I initially just wanted some help from my friend James to mix them, but they were so overworked it was better to redo the recordings. That decision was the best musical decision I’ve made. We spent a few days re-recording and arranging and then had our friend lay down the drums. 

What drives you to create? What keeps you going, especially on the bad days?

Sometimes it’s overwhelming to get started on something but I never regret trying. I never know what’s going to happen once I start and that’s motivating enough to keep trying. Even on the impossible days, I still feel like I get something out of it. 

If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why? Please plug them with a link so readers can check them out.

I would like to collaborate with the last Italian castrato Alessandro Moreschi. With all of the recording capabilities we have now, I’m sure he’d be impressed. I would have a field day creating vocal stacks with him. 

Where is the best place to stay connected with You?

I am on spotify 24/7 and I’m always scrolling on apps on my phone. All the links I’ll ever have are here: https://linktr.ee/Ciaomalz

I appreciate Your time. Want to say anything else before we sign off? 

That’s all!