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Bristol based Mallavora are a four-piece rock band made up of vocalist Jessica Douek, Ellis James on bass and vocals, guitarist Larry Sobieraj, and drummer Jack Pedersen. The band have just released their brand new video; ‘Favourite Mistake’, and here is our introduction to Mallavora.
DGM: What are the origins of the band, and how long have you been playing together?
Larry: Mallavora started as a student band, gigging from early 2017. We played as a three-piece for a bit, and when we wanted to take things more seriously we approached Jessica to take on lead vocals. That was in August 2019, so that’s when Mallavora, as we know it today, really kicked off.
DGM: How did you feel performing your first gig? And how was it?
Jessica: My first gig after joining Mallavora was in August 2019, when we headlined at The Star Inn, Guildford. It was rammed, which was amazing considering the band had never played a gig in Guildford before. It felt really good to show our music to so many new people, and there was an electric atmosphere – we hope to return when it’s safe to do so.
DGM: What should people expect when they check the band out? How would you describe yourselves?
All: We’re an unsigned British four-piece band, bringing heavy rock music back to young people in an inclusive space. There are some defining characteristics of our sound to expect: heavy grooving riffs, brooding verses followed by anthemic choruses, soaring vocals, crashing drums, fuzzy bass… there are hints of prog here and there as well.
We like to delve deep with the lyrics in our music – our debut EP features tracks about mental health, domestic abuse, addiction and climate change. We see our songs as an opportunity to connect with people about real issues.
DGM: What is the meaning behind the band’s name?
Larry: I keep meaning to invent a more interesting story behind our name… maybe I should tell a different one each time just to keep people on their toes! Mallavora is derived from the word ‘Mellivora’ which is the genus of the honey badger. There was no good reason for naming our band after this, but we like how the word sounds.
DGM: Your new single ‘Favourite Mistake’ is out now, on your Facebook page you call it ‘your best single yet’. What is it about this one that makes it your best yet?
All: This song is a great summary of everything we do. It’s a really dynamic tune with all our distinctive traits in there. In particular, the final chorus is one of the highlights of the whole EP. We put a lot of effort into constructing all the layers that went into the production – lyrics included – and we really think it paid off.
DGM: Your previous single ‘Deceiver’ was played on Planet Rock. Did you know in advance that it was going to be played, or did you miss it only for someone to tell you later? It must have been a buzz hearing it on national radio though!
Larry: We didn’t know until it was aired, which actually isn’t that unusual – quite often people put us on playlists etc, and we don’t find out until we hear from someone else. It’s always a really cool moment. A single we released last year was played four weeks in a row on Planet Rock before we realised, which was pretty mad… we pay more attention these days!
DGM: Larry, I believe that you are a major Alter Bridge fan? What is it about AB that you enjoy so much, and do you follow the entire family tree with the Tremonti albums and Myles Kennedy’s solo albums?
Larry: Yes I’ve been obsessed for about ten years now! Someone bought me their debut album when I was 12/13 and I just played it all the time, but when AB III came out I really got the bug. I used to listen to it for hours; to me it’s a showcase on how to make a perfect heavy rock album – even these days I hear new things in the mix. Their sound just resonates with me on a level that no other artist ever has, and their live shows are amazing. I’ve seen them as many times as physically possible, as well as a bunch of Tremonti shows and (very luckily) Myles on his own too. Can’t forget the Slash Ft. Myles stuff either! Apocalyptic Love was another big album for me in my formative years as a guitar player.
DGM: Jessica, as an Elvis fan, what’s your favourite Elvis period? Are we talking ’68 Comeback Special Elvis? Or sparkly sequins Las Vegas Elvis?
Jessica: Picking a favourite Elvis period is incredibly difficult, because each is special to me in its own way. There’s something remarkable about Elvis’ centring of the guitar as rock and roll’s lead instrument in his 1950s covers of Little Richard and Ray Charles. The recordings done with The Jordanaires, including ‘Don’t Be Cruel’, are undeniably legendary, but it’s the touring from 1969 with gospel group The Sweet Inspirations that I believe was his greatest period. Singles from that time such as ‘Kentucky Rain’, ‘Don’t Cry Daddy’, and ‘Suspicious Minds’ are timeless and immensely powerful, and it’s believed that Elvis was much happier with his career at that point. I’ve actually seen The Sweet Inspirations performing with Shawn Klush, with Estelle Brown as their last surviving member from the 1960s.
DGM: Ellis, there was quite a controversial move a few years back when Download Festival announced Muse as headliners, but they soon put doubters in their place with one of the best headlining slots ever. As a Muse fan, why do you think that the band get so much stick from some rock and metal fans?
Ellis: I was meant to go to Download that year actually! To this day, I am still absolutely gutted that I missed that legendary set to do a maths test; only now do I know it would’ve been worth skipping that exam altogether! But, getting back to the question, I think I understand where those opinions came from, and in some regards I agree with the scepticism about Muse being a headline act at Download. Muse have never been a metal band, and in recent years particularly their music could be described as more electronic than rock. Personally, I love how they’ve explored several different musical avenues over the years and expanded their understanding of the subject. I’d argue it’s actually helped to introduce me to a lot of other genres and bands! So I can totally see why hardcore metal or rock fans would be disappointed with them as a headliner, and also why they get stick from that community; a lot of their songs aren’t aimed at that audience. They’re a hard band to put into a box, and I think that confusion is part of the reason why they aren’t always received positively, but it’s also what makes me a fan.
DGM: Jack, I believe that John Fred Young of Black Stone Cherry is one of your favourite drummers, he often plays like he has four arms; have you stolen any of his moves?
Jack: I wish! I’m always on the lookout for cool parts I can take inspiration from though. I remember seeing him a few years ago and he did this stick trick where he hits the snare and it flips the stick like 4ft in the air and he catches it for the next hit! Perhaps I’d better start working on that before the next Mallavora show.
DGM: The new music scene is bursting at the seams with fresh talent. In what ways do you feel a band has to stand out from the others trying to build a name?
All: We think it’s key to be able to write original music. Bands that really stand out to us are the ones that are doing something new or different, whilst also celebrating their musical influences. An explosive live performance is what potential new fans have to remember you by, so it’s undoubtedly important to be unique in that way. Unfortunately, we’re currently experiencing a gaping hole in British music in the shape of grassroots rock bands. Playing heavy rock music, being unsigned, and being a young British band is enough to make you ‘different’ at the moment. We’re hoping this will start to change with the development of the grassroots rock scene.
DGM: What band out there at the moment do you feel that you would be best suited to open for?
Larry: I think we’d be really well suited to open for Nothing More – something to aim for in a few years time potentially. That would be really cool, and I’m certain there’s a lot we could learn from those guys.
DGM: Who do you feel will be the next band to break out of the UK?
Jessica: Devilskin are doing really well at the moment – their new album ‘Red’ has topped the New Zealand charts. I think they’re going to get big, fast.
Larry: I’ve recently discovered Loathe; maybe I’m late to the party and they’re already considered ‘broken out’, but I expect we’ll all be hearing a lot more of them in the near future.
Ellis: I’ve been eagerly awaiting the first release from a Guildford-based band called Edge Of Desire. Their debut single ‘Explicit’ has been incredibly well received, and with more tracks to come this year I see them doing really well!
DGM: What are your first musical memories? And what was the light bulb moment that made you go “I want to do that!”
Jessica: My dad sang Elvis and Little Richard to me as a baby, and I grew up accustomed to hearing the likes of Sam Cooke, Chuck Berry and numerous other records by rock and roll and soul icons in my parents’ home. My dad’s family is very musical, and I found myself able to sing from a young age. At age ten, I was cast as the female lead in my school’s production of ‘We Will Rock You’, and found myself suddenly learning to sing Queen anthems like ‘Somebody to Love’. From then on I started to take myself more seriously; I developed a fascination with the way icons like Freddie Mercury would command a stage and captivate audiences, and have been performing in various capacities ever since.
Ellis: My parents were very into the ‘free-party’ scene back in the day, so a lot of my early musical memories are of my dad doing DJ sets, and being at dance music festivals, mostly on someone’s shoulders wearing ear defenders. I first got into rock when I was about eight years old, listening to bands like Hard-Fi and Kaiser Chiefs, and I originally started playing drums because of that. It was only watching a Muse concert on YouTube at age 15 that made me want to perform, so that’s when I first picked up a guitar. A couple of years down the line I found some groove and felt the urge to move onto the next chapter: bass guitar.
Jack: We had some family friends that played in a local covers band, and I remember having a go on the drummer’s kit when I was young and just having a blast. After that, when I started high school I was offered some drum lessons and it let me get out of Maths early on a Wednesday – no more incentive needed!
Larry: My dad took me to see Deep Purple when I was about six, which was a pretty good introduction to the world of live music. The lightbulb moment came when I saw an Alter Bridge arena show in 2011 – it really accelerated my desire to be in a heavy rock band and play live shows.
DGM: What was the last gig that you attended as a fan?
Larry: Pre lockdown memories are pretty hard to recollect at the moment; probably Gojira. For anyone who doesn’t know, a Gojira show is an assault on the senses. Odd time signatures, strobe lights, circle pits and earthquake-inducing grooves are certainly worth £32. Rolo Tomassi were supporting, which was a pleasant bonus.
Jessica: I can’t even bloody remember, all I can think about are the gigs I had tickets for – namely Toska and Brass Against. I cannot wait to see them at rescheduled shows when it’s safe.
Ellis: I was very lucky to catch Ocean Grove who were supporting Crossfaith a couple of weeks before lockdown came into effect, and I’m so glad I went! The crowd were absolutely wicked, the bands were amazing, it’s gotta be one of the best shows I’ve ever been to. If you haven’t heard Ocean Grove, check out their track ‘JUNKIE$’, it’s very reminiscent of The Prodigal.
Jack: Last gig I went to was actually Muse (sorry, Ellis), which was a great show. I’ve got tickets for Black Stone Cherry later this year but that’s not looking too hopeful!
DGM: What is the album that you have in your collection or Spotify playlist that would surprise most people?
Larry: Tash Sultana – Flow State. I saw her live a couple of years ago actually. She’s an amazing performer and her music creates a world to escape into.
Jack: I actually have a fairly extensive Motown vinyl collection, I absolutely love it and think that might be a bit surprising to some for a drummer in a heavy rock band.
Jessica: Sometimes I chuckle inwardly at a playlist I made a few months ago which features Alien Weaponry, Lizzo and Darius Rucker. I don’t think I’ve got a particularly conventional album collection in any sense of the word.
Ellis: Dr Dre – 2001. It’s rare that I find myself listening to hip-hop, but there’s no denying the talent that this album required to make. It’s a collaboration of some of the best rap artists of that era; it’s timeless, and I believe it paved the way for many other musicians in that scene.
DGM: What are your plans for the remainder of 2020?
Larry: Like everyone else, we had tours and festivals planned for this year that we are determined to reschedule when it’s safe to do so. We’re still releasing new music every month, as planned, as well as some more bonus content that we’re excited to get out there towards the end of the year.
Jack: I’ve been taking this time at home to work on my technique, and some new parts that I can hopefully bring into new Mallavora tracks, so I can’t wait to get playing with the rest of the band again.
DGM: How active are you on social media and where can people connect with you?
Jessica: We’re very active on Instagram and Facebook – during lockdown it’s been the only real way to reach and connect with fans. We’ve got a very aesthetically pleasing Instagram feed which is enjoyable to maintain.
We don’t have Twitter because we don’t really know how to use it effectively!
Get more information on Mallavora here.
