Local Talent
Local Talent
MALS TOTEM Gritted teeth give way to an eyes-closed melodic euphoria, overtaken at the point of comfort
by heavy rhythmic digression culminating in a head banging finish. With their debut self-titled EP, Mals Totem has melded the comfortable with the unforgiving; the familiar with the weird; elements of pop riddled with chaotic inflections and grinding guitars. Formed in 2011 by guitarists Michael Lostica, Asher Kurtz, and bassist Ronnie Lanzilotta, the group spent two years perfecting their energetic writing and performance style. Now, the band is focusing on extending their reach throughout the Northeast while distributing a unique and extensive multimedia package to fans. Mals Totem is innately collaborative. Their Inception inspired name is not just for show: the band uses layers of sound to create integrated concepts for each track, posing a challenge to the listener. An active audience will recognize the transition between pleasurable, melodic arrangements to a controlled volatility that has become the hallmark of the Boston-bred rockers’ songwriting. The band has collaborated with local visual artist Faye Nightengale to produce a multimedia art package that directly corresponds to the individual tracks on the EP.
Fall 2013
20
Self-described as ‘tastefully obnoxious,’ the Boston-bred five piece cultivated their craft while enrolled at Berklee College of Music. Drawing from backgrounds in jazz and metal, the band has created a synesthetic musical trademark that translates into heavy, high-energy performances. The band’s live shows are a must-see: from packing sweaty Allston basements, to encoring at famed NYC venue The Bitter End, to playing to suited professionals in Kendall Square, Mals Totem draws a response from any audience. The band has also been featured at various events held by RAW’s Boston section, an independent arts organization. A live performance music video for a new track, “The Machine,” was released on November 6th courtesy of 21 Summit Productions, steering the band into even heavier waters and translating their unique performance antics to an accessible medium for all. Mals Totem has big plans for concluding 2013 and kicking off the New Year. Four fifths of the band have relocated to New York, while vocalist Dave Vives finishes his last two semesters at Berklee. Due to a sexy spinal injury (an L4, L5 disk fusion, to be exact) for bassist Ronnie Lanzilotta, the spring will be more stationary: the perfect time to work on new music. The band plans on embarking on a short tour of the Northeast in late spring. Anna Glina (Zumba)