Reviews

Dar Williams On The Bell House Stage photo by Chris Chin

Dar Williams Rings in the Holidays With Return to Bell House

January 5, 2023 by David K. Moseder

After a two-year COVID-induced hiatus, Dar Williams returned to The Bell House for her annual post-Christmas gift to Brooklyn on Dec. 29, 2022. (The tradition... read article

A Pensive Aoife O'Donovan © photo by Omar Cruz / courtesy of Yeproc Music Group

Aoife O’Donovan’s “Age of Apathy” Inspires Empathy

December 23, 2022 by David K. Moseder

Aoife O’Donovan, who won a Grammy as a member of I’m With Her in 2019, is in contention for her first such award as a... read article

Adrian Daniel photo by Keaton Matusich

Adrian Daniel’s “Requiem” Adds Brooklyn Twist to R&B

December 7, 2022 by Michela Arlia

Singer, songwriter, and producer Adrian Daniel, a native of Brooklyn, is making a name for himself once again, following the release of his latest album,... read article

Brooklyn Americana Fest: A Great Number Eight

October 7, 2022 by David K. Moseder

The Dumbo Archway under the Manhattan Bridge was once again a prime venue for the Brooklyn Americana Music Festival (year eight), with late afternoon and... read article

“Bands do BK” and Tell Us All About It

September 23, 2022 by David K. Moseder

Do you have a favorite local band with which you are on the same wavelength? Then you may wish to know where they go to... read article

Lyle Lovett and His Large Band/ photo by Kyra Kverno

Lyle Lovett: Large and in Charge at City Winery

May 29, 2022 by Kyra Kverno

Lyle Lovett and His Large Band kicked off their 2022 tour with a four-day, sold-out run at City Winery in New York City. The four-time... read article

Sizzling Summer Sounds: The Return of Celebrate Brooklyn!

May 23, 2022 by David K. Moseder

The 44th annual Celebrate Brooklyn! summer concert series is set to kick off in Prospect Park on June 8. More than three dozen artists representing... read article

Tori Amos On The Kings Theatre Stage Photo by Kyra Kverno

Tori Amos Captivates the Crowd at the Kings Theatre

May 16, 2022 by B.L. Howard

The historic Kings Theatre was a perfect setting for Tori Amos to play her first ever concert in Brooklyn on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, to... read article

Ocean To Ocean Album Cover Art

Tori Amos’ “Ocean” Offers Smooth Sailing — With an Edge

May 13, 2022 by Michela Arlia

Ocean to Ocean, the latest release from singer, songwriter and pianist Tori Amos, has a captivating range of sounds that accentuate her talents and take... read article

No Band of Thieves photo by Alexa Viscius /courtesy of Pitch Perfect PR

Big Thief Steals Listener’s Hearts With Latest Release

April 20, 2022 by Michela Arlia

Originating from the great borough of Brooklyn, Big Thief is a four person indie rock band with folk roots. Composed of members Adrianne Lenker, Buck... read article

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Artists on our Radar

Ciao Malz: Music With a Storyteller’s Charm

WFUV NY Slice Session- photo by Gus Philippas for FUV

Brooklyn’s indie scene is home to countless rising talents, and one that stands out is Connecticut-born, Brooklyn-based artist Malia DelaCruz better known as Ciao Malz . A self-taught musician and engineer, Malz has a gift for crafting indie pop songs that are both clever and unpolished in the best way. Her latest release, Safe Than Sorry, a four-track EP released in December 2024, showcases her evolving approach to songwriting and collaboration. Growing up surrounded by classic rock, folk and indie music, Malz was drawn to the art of storytelling. “I like songs that feel lived-in, a little rough around the edges but full of heart,” she tells Brooklyn Roads. The DIY nature of indie music was a revelation that made her realize that imperfections could be part of the sound. That perspective shaped her songwriting process, which she describes as intuitive and sometimes surprising, “It’s hard for me to tell where the songs are going at first, but the choruses are catchy.” After attending college in Queens, Brooklyn quickly became her creative home. “There’s always new and different music playing from cars, coffee shops, even the fish supply store,” she says. Playing alongside the borough’s talented musicians has kept her inspired and motivated. Among Brooklyn’s many venues, Union Pool holds a special place for her, for its intimate performance space. First featured on WFUV’s NY Slice in 2021 and once again on March 20, 2025 with her warm, dreamy single, “Always Be My Maybe,” Malz has played venues like Baby’s All Right, Bowery Electric and Pianos NYC. Her latest EP came together in an unexpected but organic way. While working on other artists’ music, she asked a band to stick around after a session to help flesh out some of her songs. “We were able to turn them into full songs pretty quickly,” she recalls. The experience shifted her perspective on collaboration, as she comments, “in the past, I had done everything myself, but after making that EP, I think of it differently.” Ciao Malz is an artist worth watching. For those looking for music that’s deeply personal and full of heart, she’s one to have on your radar.

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