Hit Or Miss
Show notes for the 294th Mużika Mod Ieħor podcast featuring music by performers from or in Malta:
Robert G – Only On His Way
Robert Galea is a new singer on the scene, at least as far as I know. He has just released this song written by Characters/Rifffs frontman Ray Mercieca. The style is very recognizable as Mercieca’s but somehow Robert G makes it sound mellower than it would sound performed by the songwriter. He’s now preparing to release a music video for this song. I’m also hoping we hear more from him (or at least about him) in the coming weeks and months.
Joe Demicoli – Tajruhielu
Paul Vella Critien’s Colonna Mediterranea has been the subject of controvery since the very first day it appeared at the Lidl roundabout in Luqa. Last week it lost its head (presumably through an act of vandalism) and this prompted Joe Demicoli, who released a whole album dedicated to this piece of public art a few years ago, to write a new song to mark the moment. Unlike the happy-go-lucky standard covers with humorous Maltese lyrics full of funny doublespeak, this is a more thoughtful satirical ditty, with hints of pathos.
Lyndsay – Run Away
Lyndsay Pace returns with another radio-friendly power pop single. I expect we’ll see a music video for this one too in the coming weeks. I can’t help feeling that in a larger market than Malta (or even if she aimed at a broader audience systematically) she would be appreciated at a level she deserves rather than play filler on all sorts of shows that make me cringe whenever I see her on them.
Colourblind – Paper Planes
There’s a Global Battle of the Bands on right now. You can vote for bands from 86 cities around the world, including Malta’s own Colourblind, who are competing with this song. This is organized by the Hard Rock Cafe chain around the world and the winning band will be performing at London’s Hyde Park this July, and crowned the winner of what’s known as Hard Rock Rising 2012. The top 10 bands from this round as determined by fan voting will be judged by a panel of musicians and music industry insiders. You can vote through this Facebook app. Voting ends on 24 April 2012 at 11:59pm EST. Right now it looks like Balinese band Superman Is Dead will be the ones playing in London this summer, but then again anything can happen with these open voting systems and the judging panel having a final say.
MCA – Iddeċidejt
Maltese Church Anthems is a rather unusual name for a garage surf punk band singing Christian rock. I prefer the MCA moniker as it has more of a rock ‘n roll feel. This is the third song from this band (following a blinding version of the Lord’s Prayer called Missierna and a scorching version of the traditional Christmas carol Ninni La Tibkix Iżjed) and their music videos make the songs really work for me. I know it’s not for everyone, but I firmly believe that they’re doing something truly worthwhile.
The RSS feed for the Mużika Mod Ieħor podcast is available here or you can simply click here to subscribe directly with iTunes. You can also follow each new episode through the MMI Podcast: Facebook Fan Page or on MySpace. If you have no idea what any of this means, just enjoy listening to the podcast on the player right below this text.
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That Dangerous Age
Show notes for the 293rd Mużika Mod Ieħor podcast featuring music by performers from or in Malta:
Red Electrick – Paul
In preparation for the launch of their film project of Unplugged Sessions, Red Electrick have released this single to enable further promotion of the new work, beyond the interesting trailer featuring Ray Mercieca, which you may have seen on YouTube. Anyway, I’m sure this is something we’ll hear more of and about in the coming weeks and months. It’s an interesting way for this band to follow up their debut album from 2010.
FellowFish – The Outlaw
A second single from the Ordinary Madness debut for Keith Anthony’s largest project post-Chasing Pandora. Although there’s more of a band feel to this material than the Chasing Pandora releases over the years, Keith’s indelible mark makes me wonder whether this is what the duo that brought him to public attention across the Maltese islands would sound like now. Anyway, I like the video and the song grows on you after a second listen.
Negative Spaces – BK2SQR1
This newcomer band (they’re new, right?) sound very 1980s retro, so it’s no surprise that this song was produced by Niki Gravino. It’s almost as if, Gravino is providing his fans with his next offering through a group of meat puppets. But perhaps that’s unkind to Negative Spaces, so we’ll just have to see what their next offering is going to be. This sound stands out in the tedium of most other guitar bands on the local scene, but I don’t think it will be getting much radio airplay given how unadventurous Maltese radio stations tend to be.
Eric Ellul – Surrey
I didn’t know Eric E when he was entrenched on the local DJ circuit. I only just found out that he passed away from cancer last December through the release of a tribute album called We Share Love from local net-label Bass Assault. The rest of today’s podcast is my tribute to Eric, and I’m sure that I would have eventually included his stuff on one of my podcasts. He seemed well loved, especially by his fellow DJs and friends on the scene.
Lost Emotions – Goodbye
Taken from the Eric E Ellul tribute album featuring Hystericmaniak, Dre’, and Sonitus Eco, among many others, this trance track by Lost Emotions serves as a good segue for the final song I’ve included on this week’s podcast. Proceeds from the album are in aid of cancer support, but I’m not entirely sure whether that’s a particular hospice, a research project or any other specific cancer care service.
John Mark – We Share Love
Lost Emotions is the name used by Steven Psaila and Anthony Meachen, who apparently recorded this original song written by John Mark, Gordon Sacco and Mario Agius in memory of their friend Eric Ellul. I have a feeling that this could have been the current White Crimson release had that band still been active. Anyway, it’s a fitting tribute to Eric from friends outside the DJ scene within which he was clearly very loved.
The RSS feed for the Mużika Mod Ieħor podcast is available here or you can simply click here to subscribe directly with iTunes. You can also follow each new episode through the MMI Podcast: Facebook Fan Page or on MySpace. If you have no idea what any of this means, just enjoy listening to the podcast on the player right below this text.
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Freedom
Show notes for the 292nd Mużika Mod Ieħor podcast featuring music by performers from or in Malta:
The Common Talk – Find a Way
Claudia Faniello is now the singer in a rock band. Joining up with bassist Daniel Genius, guitarist Wayne Camilleri and drummer Darryl Curmi, this debut sounds to me like they’re saving better material for later. In any case, I am curious to see what their next step will be. Whatever it is, I’m quite sure I’ll be featuring it on a future edition of the MMI podcast.
Bridget Bone – Gregory Jackson
No longer the new kids on the block, Bridget Bone serve up a fierce follow-up to last years smash hit Jackie the Stripper. This song is named after a broadcast journalist who reported the death of guitar god Jimi Hendrix way back in 1970. I have a feeling they’re a video in the making for this song, mainly because that’s the way this band rolls. It’s certainly one of their endearing qualities, along with catchy riffs and tuneful melodies.
Mystic Rain – Split Ends
A new song from a band that’s been kicking about for some time. No sure what they’re really on about, but Bex Galea’s voice is certainly charming. It develops towards the end of this song and if this band know what’s good for them they’ll make more use of her better qualities in their next offering.
Subverts – Theatre of the Absurd
It’s no secret that this is one of my favourite Maltese bands not just of the 1980s but of all times. This recording comes from their final formation towards the end of that faithful decade. Their activities were cut short by the tragic work-related death of drummer Charles “Chalkie” Cutajar in December 1989 and the total demise of the Tigne Rokarja scene. This sound was inspired by the activities at Ateatru, the fringe theatre within the AST complex, which presented productions of absurd theatre, among other things, throughout most of the 1980s. Tonight’s (31/3/12) Rokarja reunion at the Black Pearl will most certainly feature an airing of this song and number of members of this band will most likely be present to mingle and reminisce about damp rehearsal rooms, extortionate tax rates on musical equipment, and how great it all was back then when we were young.
Bark Bark Disco – Let’s Do This
A few weeks ago, on Monday 12 March 2012, to be precise, a live music webcast was presented under the name So Lo Fi, featuring YEWS, MegaFun and Bark Bark Disco. This recording made by Ian Schranz is from the soundtrack of that live stream. Possibly the first such event for the Maltese music scene (please correct me if I’m wrong) but I’m surprised that there haven’t already been more. This is really the way of the future.
The RSS feed for the Mużika Mod Ieħor podcast is available here or you can simply click here to subscribe directly with iTunes. You can also follow each new episode through the MMI Podcast: Facebook Fan Page or on MySpace. If you have no idea what any of this means, just enjoy listening to the podcast on the player right below this text.
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The Carpet Crawlers
Show notes for the 291st Mużika Mod Ieħor podcast featuring music by performers from or in Malta:
Carrie Haber – Crash & Burn (aka Mr Taxi Man)
Recorded live in the studio this is a lovely prelude for Carrie Haber’s upcoming EP Taurus, which is due to be released on Thursday 26 April 2012 at The Bedford in London. Slowly, but surely, Carrie is finding her own voice and establishing herself as a prolific artist in her own right. The video for this live track shows what a remarkable performer she really is.
Adie – Cry For You
Last year’s video for Adie’s Reaction was voted as the Top Video in the 2011 MMI Listeners’ Picks poll. This follow up is even better than last year’s offering, so I’m expecting it to receive a considerable amount of votes come the 2012 poll towards the end of this year. Adie’s voice too sounds better to me on this song and if she keeps at it this way I’m sure that things can only get better in the coming years.
Bruwtal – Mother in Pain
Christian Navarro from Naxxar records some rather dark ambient sounds under the name Bruwtal. This is just one o the tracks he has released via SoundCloud this year. If you like the one I’ve selected I’m sure you’ll like the rest.
Atlam – Victims Overture
More than three decades before Kizum Klof decided it was a good idea to spell things backwards, there was Atlam. They came together in early 1980 with a line up consisting of three Xuereb brothers: Charles on guitars, Lizio on bass and Stephen on drums, and their cousin Charlie on keyboards. In 1983, they started working on a rock opera called Victims. The musicial was never performed in public as they encountered some authoritative resistance to their drug references. The music was recorded anyway in 1986 using a 4-track cassette player.
Sempliciment tat-Triq & Marmalja – Spirtu Pront 2012
Zdongrap and Lapes are the voices of the respective projects behind this recording of Maltese-language hip hop, capturing the sound of Maltese rap in 2012. Building on previous material we’ve heard from them separately, this particular track sees them maturing considerably in their choice of words and topics, while remaining true to their roots and musical preferences. Although they are far from popular on mainstream media, this is a real sound of Maltese contemporary pop music stemming from traditional għana tal-pront. In time I believe that this lineage will become even more evident than it already is to anyone who wants to hear it that way.
The RSS feed for the Mużika Mod Ieħor podcast is available here or you can simply click here to subscribe directly with iTunes. You can also follow each new episode through the MMI Podcast: Facebook Fan Page or on MySpace. If you have no idea what any of this means, just enjoy listening to the podcast on the player right below this text.
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That Dangerous Age
Show notes for the 290th Mużika Mod Ieħor podcast featuring music by performers from or in Malta:
Kizum Klof – Nutjeż
This new act with a rather unusual name stands out as much as their decision to spell things backwards. Acoustic guitarists Glenn Paul Pace and Kevin Borg are tapping into a long tradition of Maltese folk music and they not only know it but clearly relish in it. This debut single demonstrates both their virtuosity and promise which I’m quite sure will be greatly welcome on the local scene in ways that many may not expect. I know they have already attracted a relatively large cult following, and this can only grow and grow until they move away from Maltese shores where they will undoubtedly make an indelible mark on a global scene that has lots of room for this sort of ethnic offering that’s not produced exclusively for tourists.
For Strings Inn – Julie July
Not quite as impressive as their earlier work, this new single from For Strings Inn is still surely good enough to get them back on the airwaves of many local stations. The accompanying video will give this song a life beyond the radio and I must say that Nick Morales has really applied some of the more elaborate music video techniques he has learned over the years, as he places himself clearly on the forefront of the Maltese video production scene.
Stolen Creep – Wolves
This band’s sound has matured considerably since their last offering. If they keep going this way, I have a feeling that they will eventually make an indelible mark on the local alternative music scene. They are releasing an EP, from which this song is taken, on Sunday 18 March 2012 at V-Gen in Paceville. At that launch event, they will be supported by Alex Alden and Hey Sus.
Hey Sus – Boo Bay
I thought it would be fitting to end this week’s podcast with a recording from this seemingly fun loving duo who came together as a recording band last year. They have quite a cool looking website too and I’m hoping that they’ll eventually live up to their promise of releasing more recordings. When they do, I’m pretty sure I’ll be playing them again on my podcast…particularly because I never understood why surf pop never achieved greater popularity in the Maltese islands.
The RSS feed for the Mużika Mod Ieħor podcast is available here or you can simply click here to subscribe directly with iTunes. You can also follow each new episode through the MMI Podcast: Facebook Fan Page or on MySpace. If you have no idea what any of this means, just enjoy listening to the podcast on the player right below this text.
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Pafff… Bum!
Show notes for the 289th Mużika Mod Ieħor podcast featuring music by performers from or in Malta:
Nicky Bomba – Highgrade
I saw Nicky Bomba live at the Earth Garden Festival last summer and I must say that he is a top class live entertainer. Listening to this song from him I can see that he is very deliberate in setting up the building blocks that make him such an excellent entertainer on stage with a live audience in front of him. The video is also testimony of his respect for the reggae music of Jamaica. I expect that he will eventually demonstrate a similar level of respect to the homeland of his Maltese ancestors, as he has already shown quite a bit of appreciation for his blood roots.
The Sylvan Aaron Massacre – Love This City
Their follow up to the stunning debut Come On (Come On) is a little more radio friendly, and certainly the most likely offering from Sy Borg to receive any significant airtime in Malta. In any case, this duo continues to be championed by my dear friend and colleague Michael Bugeja who is always more than happy to play them on this radio shows. A few days after the podcast this video appeared too.
Freddie Portelli – Doin’ Alright
In a recent email, Freddie Portelli explained to me that he had written this song back in the 1960s, but never recorded it with his then band The Malta Bums or even with The Black Train, with whom he recorded extensively throughout most of the 1970s. He finally recorded it just a few weeks ago, from memory, with a rather recognizable arrangement/style that we’ve come to expect from the man now, as a mature veteran of the local pop rock scene.
Fr Rob Galea – Reach Out
I am always impressed with the elegance in the productions presented by this young Maltese priest based in Australia. He is also very subtle with his religious messages, for the most part. I’m sure he has fans who are not simply followers of Christian pop rock music. Anyway, if you’ve never paid particular attention to his songs before, listen to this one on this week’s podcast and take a look at the video right here.
Brian Vassallo – Embracing Pathway
I’m very appreciative when local artists bother to inform me of their new releases and send them to me to include on my podcast. For the most part, I include (almost) everything that’s sent to me directly but I probably would have gone out to chase after the new one from Brian Vassallo because I find his electronic sounds quite soothing. I’m sure you’ll be hard-pressed to disagree with me.
The RSS feed for the Mużika Mod Ieħor podcast is available here or you can simply click here to subscribe directly with iTunes. You can also follow each new episode through the MMI Podcast: Facebook Fan Page or on MySpace. If you have no idea what any of this means, just enjoy listening to the podcast on the player right below this text.
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How Will I Know
Show notes for the 288th Mużika Mod Ieħor podcast featuring music by performers from or in Malta:
Duo Blank – Even
Edwin Balzan and Frank Cachia return with their first radio release for 2012 featuring the vocal stylings of Errol Sammut. Duo Blank is one of the more mature electronic pop offerings from Malta, so they manage to do retro sounds without irony. Anyone who likes this sort of music will certainly think this is a great offering.
Stimulus Timbre – Garden of Rest
Keith Farrugia has been recording as Stimulus Timbre for a while but now we finally get a full album, entitled Euphoria. It was released by Complex Sound Sagacity on Bandcamp on 18 February 2012, following a release gig at Coach & Horses on Valley Road last night. I happen to like this type of music and I’m sure that others like me will appreciate the variety of influences handled with a distinctive twist on this album.
Simon Sammut – Bassic Attitude
About 30 years ago I used to remember a band called Hangover at the Tigne rock village. Soon after that, some of its members formed Rough Trade. Simon Sammut was the bass player for both those bands, but it would be very short sighted to think that he hasn’t progressed since then. In fact, he has gravitated towards playing jazz fusion on a six string bass and last year released an album called Bassic Attitude. It somehow escape,d my attention when it first came out, so I wanted to bring you a track from it now and make sure that information about Simon is entered on the M3P database as soon as possible.
Falcon’s Flying Circus – Sitting Bull (live)
From time to time I like to include live recordings on my weekly podcast. This one comes from a gig at Rookies in Bugibba by this psychadelic band on 24 September 2011. They’re playing there again on the 3rd of March. So, if you like what you hear here make sure you catch them at this next gig. I have a feeling that they sound even better live than this recording has managed to capture.
The RSS feed for the Mużika Mod Ieħor podcast is available here or you can simply click here to subscribe directly with iTunes. You can also follow each new episode through the MMI Podcast: Facebook Fan Page or on MySpace. If you have no idea what any of this means, just enjoy listening to the podcast on the player right below this text.
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Seven Nation Army
Show notes for the 287th Mużika Mod Ieħor podcast featuring music by performers from or in Malta:
Brikkuni – L-Uffiċju
The much awaited second album from the darlings of Malta’s alternative folk/rock scene was released today (Saturday 11 February 2011) with a live concert at the City Theatre in Valletta. Among all the new tracks, Trabokk features a reworking of this song, with which they won the 2009 edition of L-Għanja tal-Poplu festival. To top it all, they’ve also produced a promotional music video for it, shot entirely at the Belt is-Sebħ Public Library and starring the enfant terrible of Maltese pop literature Ġużé Stagno. This will undoubtedly achieve cult status in years to come.
Fastidju – Il-Faħam Qisu Tafal
Nigel Baldacchino’s Sajda is an art exhibition which opened at St. James Cavalier in Valletta on Friday 20 January and remains open until Sunday 26 February 2012. Fastidju is an associated sound/music project in which Baldacchino collaborates with Istishhad Hheva and Mario Sammut (Cygna) to produce a number of unusual a/tonal poems (or at least that’s what I’d call them) such as the one you can hear here. I don’t know much else about this project but I believe the exhibition is worth visiting, even though I’m unable to be in Valletta during the weeks that it’s open.
South Central – Dance of The Skeletons
The Maltese hooded duo from Brighton released an EP entitled Pitfalls and Corridors a few weeks ago and I’ve been wanting to feature a track from it on my podcast ever since. Well, here it is. I’m sure their fans will be delighted with this, particularly because this track features their signature buildup towards a veritable mosh pit frenzy the likes of which I’ve had the pleasure to witness in person more than once.
Mathematikal – That Kind of Girl
Currently enjoying great popularity on some of the commercial radio stations in Malta, Jon & Jay have certainly produced a hit with great potential. The music video they’ve produced to go with it really captures what I see as the spirit of their live acts. I managed to catch them live about 4 or 5 years ago at Poxx Bar (remember that place?) and they rocked the house. This is just an even better version of that.
Frans il-Ħamallu – Online Frans
This guy is arguably the king of the Maltese hip hop scene…well if not that, he’s certainly the undisputed court jester. ACTA is something he released an awareness clip about a couple of weeks ago, in relation the protest that was held today in Valletta. But this week we get a fantastic song, built on the famous White Stripes riff for Seven Nation Army. To my mind, it really doesn’t get much better than this. Fifty years from now, this stuff will be considered the best of the best that’s being produced now. Thankfully, some of us are able to appreciated it like a fresh ġbejna, which is what Frans would have us believe it is.
Mikiel – Diska Vili
Since we’re onto political satire, I think it’s very fitting to end this week’s podcast with a delightful little ditty from Michael Camilleri Haber, who beautifully captured the political climate in Malta during the first few weeks. It’s not really the sort of thing I would normally include in my podcast but it’s quite appropriate to follow MC Frans with this, even though Mikiel doesn’t really hold a candle up to François B.B.
The RSS feed for the Mużika Mod Ieħor podcast is available here or you can simply click here to subscribe directly with iTunes. You can also follow each new episode through the MMI Podcast: Facebook Fan Page or on MySpace. If you have no idea what any of this means, just enjoy listening to the podcast on the player right below this text.
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