Malvador - Malvador (2014)

Malvador is a northern NJ-based experimental rock band indulging those with a taste for artistic, whimsical alt-rock joined with circus music and a trace of darkness.

Raucous punk, deft jazz, mournful folk, whispers of dark metal. Malvador reflects today's ever-shrinking world, squeezing more diversity and into a smaller space with each new song. Exciting the jaded with juxtapositions of old world instruments and new world sensibilities; pleasing the partiers with fun, singable rhythms; Malvador rarely seem to fit with their peers, yet are asked to play at dingy, beer-soaked metal clubs, grassy, patchouli-scented fields, dark, secret basements, and on stages opening for national acts like World Inferno Friendship Society, Mephiskapheles, 40 Below Summer, Polkadot Cadaver, and Exotic Animal Petting Zoo.

Malvador formed mid-2012 when lead singer/guitarist Christopher Sella (former guitarist of the Tombstone Brawlers) sought out locally well-known multi-instrumentalist Joseph Sabina. Sabina's piano, organ and accordion paired with Sella's ideas – under the heavy influence of Tim Burton, Edgar Allan Poe, and Salvador Dali – felt so natural and exciting they put serious effort into turning this project into a full-time band.

Ads on craigslist led them to recruit bassist Edward Sherry, whose tasteful arrangements brought a sense of style to the music. Sherry also brought skillfully maniacal lead guitarst Mark Sloan (from the legendary Hatebeak) into the band, and the music took on a heavier sound as the band's sonic horizon expanded even further.

After shuffling around drummers, they finally convinced Christopher’s former bandmate and roommate – accomplished drummer Michael Bowie (of the Drummers Collective) – to join the band.