Maala (musician)
| MAALA | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Evan Sinton |
| Born | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Origin | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Genres | Pop, electropop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
| Instruments | Keyboard, guitar |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Labels | Sony Music New Zealand |
| Website |
www |
Evan Sinton, better known by his stage name Maala (also stylised as MAALA) is a New Zealand singer-songwriter. He is best known for his songs "Touch" and "Kind of Love", and for coming third on the second series of New Zealand's Got Talent in 2012.[1] In 2016 he won Best Male Solo Artist at the New Zealand Music Awards.[2]
New Zealand's Got Talent
In 2012, under his birth name, Evan Sinton auditioned for series two of New Zealand's Got Talent with The Beatles' "Blackbird". Sinton qualified for the semi-final, with judge Jason Kerrison praising his voice, saying "it's distinctive, it's unique".
In the semi-final, Sinton performed Screamin' Jay Hawkins's song "I Put a Spell on You". Sinton placed in the top three in the semi-final, and made it to the final on the judges' vote. In the final, Sinton performed the Cher song "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)". He finished third from the public vote.[3]
Solo career
In 2013, following his appearance on New Zealand's Got Talent, Sinton was signed to Sony Music New Zealand. He supported The X Factor Australia winner Reece Mastin on his 2013 New Zealand tour.[4] Sinton went on to release the EP Phosphenes, from which came the singles "Tables and Chairs" and "Prisoner's Cinema".[5]
MAALA
In 2015, Sinton adopted the stage name MAALA. He used the name to separate himself from his New Zealand's Got Talent identity and to reflect the new direction of his music. He chose the name MAALA because it "looked cool on paper".[6]
MAALA initially released the singles "Touch" and "In the AIr", followed by a self-titled EP. In July 2015, "Touch" was long-listed for the 2015 Silver Scroll award, credited to Sinton and the song's co-writers Jaden Parkes and Josh Fountain.[7]
In 2016, the single "Kind of Love" was released, followed by MAALA's debut album, Composure. Later in 2016, MAALA was nominated for four New Zealand Music Awards, and won Best Male Solo Artist.[2]
Discography
Albums
| Year | Title | Details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|---|
| NZ[8] | |||
| As Evan Sinton | |||
| 2013 | Phosphenes EP |
|
— |
| As MAALA | |||
| 2015 | MAALA EP |
|
20 |
| 2016 | Composure |
|
12 |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| NZ Artists[9] | |||
| As Evan Sinton | |||
| 2013 | "Tables and Chairs" | — | Phosphenes EP |
| "Prisoner's Cinema" | — | ||
| As MAALA | |||
| 2015 | "Touch" | 7 | MAALA EP |
| "In the Air" | 11 | ||
| 2016 | "Kind of Love" | 2 | Composure |
| "Stranger" | — | ||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||
Awards and nominations
| Year | Nominee/work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Evan Sinton/Jaden Parkes/Josh Fountain - "Touch" | APRA Silver Scroll | Shortlisted | [10] |
| 2016 | MAALA | MTV Europe Music Awards - Best New Zealand Act | Nominated | [11] |
| "Kind of Love" | New Zealand Music Awards - Single of the Year | Nominated | [2] | |
| MAALA (Composure) | New Zealand Music Awards - Best Male Solo Artist | Won | ||
| Composure | New Zealand Music Awards - Best Pop Album | Nominated | ||
| MAALA | New Zealand Music Awards - People's Choice Award | Nominated |
References
- ↑ "Who is Maala? Mysterious Kiwi singer unveiled". NZ Herald. NZME. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
- 1 2 3 "Broods dominate at the 2016 New Zealand Music Awards". NZ Herald. NZME. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
- ↑ "Clara Van Wel wins New Zealand's Got Talent". Marlborough Express. Fairfax. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
- ↑ "Evan Sinton Signs Major Label Deal". McLaughlin Law. McLaughlin Law. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
- ↑ "Evan Sinton". iTunes. Apple. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
- ↑ "MAALA Unmasked". Radio New Zealand. Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
- ↑ "Apra Silver Scroll Awards announces its top 20". NZ Herald. NZME. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
- ↑ "MAALA IN NEW ZEALAND CHARTS". Charts.org.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
- ↑ "NZ Singles". Official NZ Music Charts. Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
- ↑ "2015 TOP 20 + 1981 TOP 5". APRA NZ. APRA NZ. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
- ↑ "Broods have won the MTV EMA for Best New Zealand Act". NZ Herald. NZMA. Retrieved 21 November 2016.