Maala (musician)

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]

MAALA
Birth nameEvan Sinton
BornAuckland, New Zealand
OriginAuckland, New Zealand
GenresPop, electropop
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
InstrumentsKeyboard, guitar
Years active2012–present
LabelsSony Music New Zealand
Websitewww.maala.co

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
Title Details Peak chart positions
NZ
[8]
As Evan Sinton
Phosphenes[9] —
As MAALA
MAALA[10]
  • Released: 28 August 2015
  • Label: MAALA Music
  • Type: Extended play
  • Format: digital download
 20
Composure[11] 12
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
NZ
Heat.
[12]		 NZ
Regional
[13]
As Evan Sinton
"Tables and Chairs" 2013 —— Phosphenes EP
"Prisoner's Cinema" ——
As MAALA
"Touch" 2015 —7 MAALA EP
"In the Air" —11
"Kind of Love" 2016 102 Composure
"Stranger" ——
"In My Head"[14] 2017 68 TBA
"Crazy"[15] 59
"Fire Burning" 2019 —[upper-alpha 1]—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Notes

  1. "Fire Burning" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 29 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[16]

Awards and nominations
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2015 Evan Sinton/Jaden Parkes/Josh Fountain – "Touch" APRA Silver Scroll Shortlisted [17]
2016 MAALA MTV Europe Music Awards – Best New Zealand Act Nominated [18]
"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
  1. "Who is Maala? Mysterious Kiwi singer unveiled". NZ Herald. NZME. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  2. "Broods dominate at the 2016 New Zealand Music Awards". NZ Herald. NZME. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  3. "Clara Van Wel wins New Zealand's Got Talent". Marlborough Express. Fairfax. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  4. "Evan Sinton Signs Major Label Deal". McLaughlin Law. McLaughlin Law. Archived from the original on 27 June 2013. Retrieved 19 November 2016.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  5. "Evan Sinton". iTunes. Apple. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  6. "MAALA Unmasked". Radio New Zealand. Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  7. "Apra Silver Scroll Awards announces its top 20". NZ Herald. NZME. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  8. "Maala Discography". New Zealand Charts (Hung Medien). Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  9. "Phosphenes - EP by Evan Sinton on Apple Music". iTunes. 14 June 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  10. "MAALA - EP by MAALA on Apple Music". iTunes. 28 August 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  11. "Composure by MAALA on Apple Music". iTunes. 28 August 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  12. Peak at NZ Heatseekers Singles charts.
  13. Peak at NZ Singles Regional charts.
  14. "In My Head - Single by Maala on Apple Music". iTunes. 17 February 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  15. "Crazy - Single by Maala on Apple Music". iTunes. 1 September 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  16. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 9 December 2019. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  17. "2015 TOP 20 + 1981 TOP 5". APRA NZ. APRA NZ. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  18. "Broods have won the MTV EMA for Best New Zealand Act". NZ Herald. NZMA. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
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