On November 26 we got an email from Martina Palermo, PR & Marketing Manager for the Frontiers Label Group, about a band named MALVADA who had unveiled a new video “Fear”. Curious as we always are, we decided to give it a look and… were pleasantly surprised! MALVADA is an all-female Brazilian hard rock band that was formed in 2020. They had another singer then, but today’s lineup consists of: Indira Castillo (vocals), Bruna Tsuruda (guitar), Rafaela Reoli (bass) and Juliana Salgado (drums). Let’s have a chat with MALVADA.
Interview by: Henk van Nieuwenhoven
EM PORTUGUÊS
MALVADA was formed in March 2020, just when the Covid pandemic shut down the whole world. Was that a sign or where there plans already to start a band?
JULIANA: “The idea of starting the band came before the pandemic. And of course during it, things became pretty difficult to achieve. But we stayed strong together along with our producer/manager Tiago Claro and worked a lot, even being distant.”
Your first two singles, “Mais Um Gole” and “Cada Escolha uma Renúncia”, as well as the debut album, “A Noite Vai Ferver”, were all in Portuguese. Was that easier for you, to write songs in your own language rather than in English?
BRUNA: “On the first album, I did not write any lyrics. I started taking risks with this upcoming album. In fact, “Fear”, our latest release, was the first time Juliana and I ventured into writing something. Before that, I only created the band’s instrumentals. That song was originally in Portuguese, but was later translated to English to be included on the record! However, on this next album, there will be other compositions that were originally written in English.”
FRONTEIRAS
After Angel Sberse had left the band and you took her place, MALVADA signed with Italian label Frontiers Records in November 2023. One year later, MALVADA release a single “Fear” in English. Why took it so long to release this single?
INDIRA: “Before we worked with Frontiers Records, all the songs were in Portuguese. At that time, we wanted to create a new sound and we modified songs like “Fear”, which was initially in our native language. So it took a little time for us to manage that. It was about ‘create and recreate’ to bring a new perspective to everyone about our music!”
“Amy [Winehouse] is one of the alto voices that inspired my singing style. In the video it wasn’t a direct reference, but I think it ends up appearing to be.”
– INDIRA CASTILLO –
On “Fear” you use a small string orchestra during the whole song. Who’s idea was that, yours or did it come from Frontiers?
RAFAELA: “The idea came from our music producer Giu Daga, and everyone really liked it because it matched the melancholic tone of the song and what it aims to convey to those who listen. We believe that the strings made a huge difference in the final result.”
NOVO ÁLBUM
In the video of “Fear”, you resemble Amy Winehouse in appearance and voice. Someone else your voice sounds much alike is Hazel Jade Rogers from Balance Of Power. Are you an Amy fan and do you know Hazel Jade’s band?
INDIRA: “First of all, thank you! Amy is one of the alto voices that inspired my singing style. In the video it wasn’t a direct reference, but I think it ends up appearing to be. And I have to say Balance of Power is amazing too!” (we gave Indira the link to Balance Of Power‘s “One More Time Around The Sun“ for comparison)
Now that MALVADA is on Frontiers’ roster, a new album is obvious. It is also mentioned in their press info. Can you already give some more details?
“There are strengths and challenges when working with people in general, regardless of gender.”
– RAFAELA REOLI –
BRUNA: “Well, about the new album… what I can say is that it’s very different from everything else out there. It comes with a lot of energy, intensity, and emotion. I’d also say it’s very versatile, with plenty of dynamics and sensitivity. We’re incredibly excited for this release.”
EUROPEIA
Is it an advantage to work with only females in a band or are there disadvantages too?
RAFAELA: “There are strengths and challenges when working with people in general, regardless of gender. When we talk about possible difficulties in a band, they are not necessarily related to the fact that we are women but rather to working in a group, where different opinions arise. The focus is on how we can mediate these differences so everyone’s perspective is taken into account.”
Any chance MALVADA will come to Europe now that you’re on an Italian label?
JULIANA: “Of course, it’s something that’s already in our plans for next year. We are working a lot for the world to know MALVADA and our music. We believe that with the support of this great label soon we’ll be able to meet our new fans in Europe and all over the world. ■
Watch the official video for “Fear” here: https://youtu.be/ti6gxY1321E
