We're loving it! Heavy Metal Band Loathe.

There is one sentiment that all Maltese metal fans are used to: surprise. Most people wouldn’t expect Malta, the island of sand, sea, sun and history, to have any metal bands at all. This is as far from the truth as you can get. The fact is, not only is there a strong metal scene locally, it is also one of very high caliber.

Maltese people far removed from the scene express similar feelings when hearing of the hard-working underground bands locally. But perhaps this makes sense, given that the metal scene is, by its very nature, seldom accessible to outsiders, this for myriad reasons, among which is the elitist nature of the music. In layman’s terms, ‘you have to be in it to get it’.

Being a metal fan and/or musician in Malta has both pros and cons. Truth be told, I racked my brain to find the positives, but then, given the advent of the internet and the open communication it brought about, the cons have also dwindled.

The size of the island, and therefore of the population, is both a pro and a con. It is very easy to reach our equivalent of stardom, but after that there is no way the financial success of the band can be nurtured solely on local Euros, simply owing to the limited size of the audience. Even before the ‘days of ease’ of the Internet, Maltese bands were reaching out to Europe and the USA, and the cream of the crop enjoyed considerable success abroad. Suffice it to mention Beheaded and Forsaken, arguably Malta’s biggest metal exports, both of whom have signed deals with prestigious labels and have gathered followings as far as Texas and Japan.

A good friend of mine from the UK confessed on interview that in his view “Maltese metal bands are at least 50% better than their UK counterparts”. Although this is only one man’s opinion, it is an informed one, given that he and his band SLAB played in Malta in April 2009, with a few bands handpicked for their consistency and hard work.

Any ambitious band of any style should not be satisfied with catering to the Maltese alone. Even the largest of audiences here is child’s play compared to abroad, so if the point of playing is to showcase one’s music to as many listeners as possible, abroad we must go. This is a headache to most bands, as there is no support of any kind for bands with touring commitments, especially bands of the metal strain.

This brings me neatly to the issue of acceptance within a culture that is reputed to be close minded at best and primitive if we are to be crude. Although metal bands are not persecuted as others elsewhere are (check out Acrassicauda from Iraq and be thankful for our freedoms), they are hindered from achieving all they can by the lack of venues that accept metal bands, the absence of any financial support from anyone (in Sweden the regional governments pay rent for bands’ practice spaces, Belgian bands have their flights reimbursed if they prove to have played at least one gig in a foreign country) and the lack of belief in them, demonstrated by our post-colonial attitude of treating two-bit cover bands from the UK as gods among mere mortals and granting them headline spots in big events, while Maltese bands provide the ‘special guests’ segment, and are normally not even paid for their effort.

Furthermore, apart from a few notable deviants such as this site, Toni Sant’s MMI podcast and Michael Bugeja’s Sunday Times column, metal bands are largely ignored by all segments of the media, or relegated to the ‘special interest’ segments, which are the equivalent of a hamster on water skis.

This is not to say it all doom and gloom. I for one firmly believe in the talents and hard work of some Maltese bands (I won’t say all bands), in particular those with not only the technical nous in a musical sense, but also with the good sense and creativity to turn adversity around and into their favour. As I once read, “Artists don’t have to suffer. Clueless no-talent dumb-f..ks who call themselves artists have to suffer!”

Mark Debono is an online marketing minion and plays bass for Loathe, a newly-signed metal band. Mark has toured the UK extensively with Loathe and was interviewed by the UK’s largest rock and metal radio, Kerrang, while on tour In November 2009. For more on Loathe, check the website, join them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

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St John's Cathedral: soon carols will rise to its ceilings

Music is in the air. Or will be soon. So far, I’ve not heard too much of the canned stuff blaring out from loud speakers in town centres, but I am sure it’s on its way. My local town usually regales me with Slade’s Merry Christmas Everybody and Band Aid’s Do They Know it’s Christmas? ad nauseam in the week running up to the 25th. But, to experience what Christmas music should be about, go to one of the many carol concerts or festive musical events coming up. Some, like the St John’s Cathedral one, require tickets, so aren’t spur of the moment affairs. Others are more casual, like the lunchtime concerts you can just drop in to. Here’s a pick of the bunch of more classical Christmas music to enjoy…

Carol Concerts, Christmas Masses & Festive Music

Gukulari Ensemble, Lunchtime Christmas Concert, 15 December, 13.30,
Palazzo Castellania, Merchants’ Street, Valletta
The Gukulari Ensemble has established itself as a group firmly dedicated to the revival of Maltese music and traditional Maltese Instruments. The group performs the music of both upper-class Maltese society as well as that of the humbler folk on a combination of flutes, harp, drum, castanets, and Maltese instruments. For more information, see www.musicallegacy.com.
Concert: free, but with collection for the Community Chest Fund.

St George’s Square Xmas Events, Valletta
There is a whole calendar of events taking place open air in the square throughout December (16, 18,19, 20, 21, 22 and 24 December). It’s the time for brass bands and pips and stripes: the Malta Police Band Xmas concert is 21st & 24th; and the Malta Armed Forces Xmas Concert is on the 22nd. Stirring stuff!

Ceremony of Carols at St John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta
17 December, 19.30 – 22.30
A Ceremony of Carols is The Amadeus Chamber Choir’s 19th edition of ‘A Prelude to Christmas’. It comprises a selection of traditional Christmas carols, featuring compositions by Benjamin Britten which the 30-strong choir sing to the accompaniment of a chamber orchestra. All proceeds will be in aid of Puttinu Cares.
Entrance: Invitations may be acquired against a donation of €5 per person.
Invitations available at: Lotto Office Kiosk, Valletta (opposite BOV in Republic Street) – mob. 7920 0118
Marlow’s Stationery, Triq il-Qasam Swieqi – mob. 9989 0931, tel. 2137 1210, or
Email: theamadeuschoir@gmail.com

A Christmas Celebration, St Paul’s Cathedral, Mdina Cathedral, Mdina.
18 December, 19.30 – 21.00.
The St Monica Choir will be teaming with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra once again for a concert that’s billed as ‘a perfect introduction to the festive season’. The event will be held under the patronage of H.E. Dr George Abela and Mrs Abela to raise funds for the Community Chest Fund. Conductor: Michael Laus. Hard to find a contact number for this one, but try Mdina Local Council for details.

Christmas in Valletta, 19, 21 & 22 December
09.30 – 11.00 Children’s Traditional Maltese Music Corner each day – hands on experience and performance for children with various artistes. Meeting place the Church of St Barbara.
19th only: 13.30 – 15.00 Gospel Singing with the EnKor Choir at St James Church.
21st only: 18.30 Annual Christmas Concert by the Malta Police Force Big Band at St George’s Square.
22nd only: 18.00 Christmas Concert by the Band of the Armed Forces of Malta at St George’s Square.
Contact: Malta Council for Culture and the Arts

Carol Concerts & Christmas Mass: St Paul’s Pro-Cathedral (Anglican), Valletta, and other Anglican churches in Malta.
Various concerts and services in the run-up to Christmas. For details, see: www.anglicanmalta.org
11 December: Arlene Barlow’s Christmas Concert 19.30 pm
16 December: Ecumenical Carol Service – Fontana Parish Church Gozo
20 December: Nine Lessons & Carols – Pro Cathedral, Valletta 18.00
21 December: Nine Lessons & Carols – Holy Trinity Church, Sliema 18.30
23 December: Eucharist, Lessons and Carols – Seminary Gozo 11.00
24 December: Midnight Mass – St Paul’s Pro-Cathedral 23.30
24 December: Midnight Mass – Holy Trinity 23.30
Christmas Day Service – Holy Trinity 10.00
Christmas Day Service – St Paul’s Pro-Cathedral 11.00

Carmelite Priory, Mdina
The priory’s regular programme of Wednesday and Sunday lunchtime chamber concerts extends to include extra concerts in the run-up to Christmas. See the priory website for the lunchtime concerts. For full info, download the Carmelite Priory Concert Programme. The two main concerts are one organised with Mdina Local Council, Friday 18th at 7.30pm (as above); and the New Choral Singers’ concert on the priory’s open day, Sunday 20th December, which promises a wonderful programme of Christmas choral music.

St Catherine’s Church, Valletta
Thursday 17th December @ 12.30pm
A Medieval to Baroque Christmas
A chance to enjoy an hour’s respite from the Christmas shopping or the office at this lunchtime concert, repeated at 11.00 Sunday 20th.
Performers: Pauline Longo – soprano; Alex Vella Gregory – piano
Details: St James’ Cavalier. See also our earlier article for a flavour of these concerts.

…and on Sunday 27th December @ 11.00am
Christmas with the Consort
Programme includes: Pachelbel – Canon in D; Corelli – Conceto Grosso No 8 Fatto per la Notte di Natale
Performers: St. James Consort

Vocal & Harp Reciptal, St Barbara Church, Valletta
23 December, 11.00

Musico-Literary Evening, St Francis Church, Valletta
28 December, 20.00
A musico-literary evening with the Schola Cantorum Jubilate, a youth choir that sings for liturgical services at the Church of St Francis, Republic Street, Valletta.

New Year’s Concert, National Philharmonic Orchestra, Mediterranean Conference Centre
3 January, 2010
For details, email: info@maltaculture.com info@maltaculture.com

Photo: Albert Edelman

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Cappella Sanctae Catherinae: a new choir and old music reviving a gem of a baroque chapel

I’d been meaning to go to a concert at St. Catherine of Italy Church for a while.   I was coerced today by my seven year-old, who’d been to a concert a couple of Sundays ago and loved it.

You have to visit a church like St Catherine’s to get a sense of Valletta’s baroque splendour.  Even among the scaffolding of a full-scale restoration project, there is much to feast your eyes on:  the elegant semi-circular windows, the  portico and the dome characteristic of the Italian architect Romano Carapecchia, responsible for the reconstruction of the church in 1713-14.

Cappella Sanctae Catherinae, Malta’s first all-male voice choir, chose their name because two of their number, Fabio Billi and Giuseppe Agulli, are actually restorers at the church.  For their first outing, coinciding with Malta’s Republic Day, the nine-men choir chose pieces from Palestrina and Asola. There’s something quite magical about the timbre of the male voice singing cappella music in the intimate space of St Catherine’s. There were moments, during the concert, when you could close your eyes and easily lose yourself in the intricate mesh of altos, tenors, baritones and basses.

If you want to have a taste of what Cappella Sanctae Catherinae sound like, see below. This is definitely a choir to watch out for, irrespective of whether you’re a lover of classical music or are just interested in exploring new genres of music. The lunchtime concerts at St Catherine’s continue to offer much to savour. By paying your €5 donation, you’ll be supporting the arts in all senses – those who volunteer the music, and the restoration of St Catherine’s. Fabio, Giuseppe and their colleagues have another solid year of painstaking restoration to go. After which, you’ll be able to feast your eyes upwards to what is apparently a unique style of cupola fresco by Mattia Preti and school.

Cappella Sanctae Catherinae from Malta Inside Out on Vimeo.

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Carrie Haber: all dressed up and going places

The first time I saw Carrie Haber play live was in Merchant Street, during Notte Bianca in 2008. I was just gobsmacked by the energy, the mastery of the piano and the range of that voice. Fast forward to this year and Carrie is now based in London, living her dream, doing what she was born to do. We caught up with her as she prepares for Teatru Unplugged at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta on 27, 28 & 29 November.

When did you know you were musical?
Before I even started playing the piano I had dreams of becoming a ballerina. I used to dance all the time in my living room. This was before I’d even begun going to school. I also remember singing at every birthday party I went to. So I was rather young when people noticed my musicality. And I only realised how special that was when they started to tell me – otherwise I thought everyone could sing!

When did you start to play the piano?
Well, at around age four, my mum gave me a choice. I could either go to my grandmother for piano lessons, or I could go for ballet lessons. It didn’t even take me a second to decide. I wanted ballet lessons! So of course, my mum sent me to piano lessons haha. And I don’t regret it one bit – although I cry every time I watch a ballet. I always wish it were me dancing on that stage.

Who are your mentors in life?
My mum and my grandmother have been mentors for much of my life. They started me off and they influence every move I make. However, lately I’ve also had the help of the wonderful Tony Moore in London who advises me and encourages me constantly. I also have a vocal mentor, and that’s my amazing teacher Line Hilton!

What music did you listen to as a child?
Mainly whatever was on the radio and lots and lots of classical piano music – I never really paid much attention to the radio charts until I was around 11. And by that time I had already started writing my own music. I remember the first CDs I’d ever bought were The Corrs and Hanson. I was so excited to have it! It was their use of harmonies that I found really inspiring. I also loved the fact that they were brothers and sisters. In fact I was hoping my brothers would take up an instrument so that we could form our own band. I had it all planned. Andrew, my youngest brother, would play the drums and Steven, the middle of the 3, would play guitar and sing harmonies. It would have been perfect! Alas that never came to pass.

Who are your major influences in music now?
Well there are quite a few. I tend to look for vocal texture and versatility in the artists I listen to. That’s why I am into Tori Amos, the Dresden Dolls, Gwen Stefani, Goldfrapp, Radiohead, Jeff Buckley, Imogen Heap, Elisa and Regina Spektor just to name a few.

Do you get bugged when people say you’re Malta’s answer to Tori Amos?
Not at all! I understand that people need to make that association in order to relate to my music. And I am honoured to be compared to an artist I hold in such high esteem. Having said that I know my music to be different to hers in many ways, for example, her piano accompaniments tend to be more jazz oriented, whereas mine are more classical. Also, our song structures are very different. In fact, the only thing that makes such a comparison valid is the fact that I tend to use my higher register in a classical way making the texture of our voices sound rather similar. But that’s valid enough for me

How difficult is it to get up and leave the island to follow your dreams in the UK? How did you do it?
Well it would be a lie to say that it is easy. But I have also been very lucky to have help. Tony Moore had been encouraging me for months to go to London for a week here and there and perform at his venues. So I finally took up his offer. I went once for a week, and then again a couple of months later. I then went for a whole month. By then I had decided that I needed to move to London. A month later I had moved! I acted on instinct and even though it was scary, I know that I made the right decision.

I kept asking myself this question: How would I feel in 5 years time knowing that I didn’t take this chance? If I was ok with it, then I would have stayed in Malta. But I wasn’t ok with it. I would have felt guilty and empty knowing that I missed out on an opportunity like that. My life would have been incomplete. And that’s not to say that there weren’t sacrifices to be made, but by comparison, those sacrifices were worth making.

Who are the people who helped you on your journey to where you are now?
There have been many people that eventually led me to this point in my journey. Starting from my mum to my grandmother, my old school friends who’d come to my house every week to listen to some new songs together with my brothers and my dad, Andie Coppini with whom I had my very first studio experience, OzzyLino who believed in me and introduced me to Tom Nash, who in turn introduced me to David Vella and Line Hilton, various musicians and ex-boyfriends along the way and finally Tony Moore. It’s a chain. One person leads to another. But every single person is important in my musical development.

Tell me about your first gig in the UK. Your best one. Your strangest one. Your latest one. The one you’re looking forward to, most.
My first UK gig was very interesting actually. I arrived at Luton Airport and Tony Moore picked me up. He had been invited to perform on a TV programme which was being filmed in Birmingham so I went with him. Once there, the host invited me to perform on the programme too and so my first performance in London was on SKY tv! Straight after that Tony had an interview to give, so again I followed and guess who was being interviewed? None other than Duran Duran! We then drove straight to the next venue in London where I changed in the girls’ toilet for the first of many gigs at the Regal Room. It was an amazing journey already and I had barely been in London 24 hours!

My best gig however is hard to choose. There are a number of them. There was the fundraising event which was held at The Bedford in London in which I was one of many acts including The Feeling. Newton Faulkner was in the audience too! Then there was that time I performed at a school in Copenhagen for around 600 kids! That was awesome! And of course there’s the performance I gave in LA which I enjoyed thoroughly and which lead to many good things.

My strangest and latest gig go hand in hand. Last Monday I performed for an hour to an online audience. There was no one in the room apart from two friends because it was 3pm in the afternoon and everyone was at work. The event was called SOS Rainforest Second Life Concert, supported by Prince Charles. So I was basically performing to a camera which linked to a laptop making it possible for people all around the world to watch! So I had another laptop on the grand piano I was playing and my online audience would send me messages throughout the set. It was strange but pretty awesome!

The next gig which I’m really looking forward to has to be Teatru Unplugged which is being held at the Manoel Theatre in Malta on the 27/28/29 of November!

What’s your favourite place in Malta?
In terms of music venues I’d definitely say the Manoel Theatre. But my favourite hide out is Legligin which is a little wine bar on the street parallel to the Manoel. The owner is so nice and his food is to die for!!

What advice would you give others aspiring to make a career out of music?
I can only speak from my own experience. If your heart isn’t in it, then don’t bother. But if you can’t imagine your life without music, then give it your all! If you love music but it’s not a priority, hold on to it and use it as a therapy to let out your emotions. It’s an excellent release!

The video for ‘Me Oh My’ is a definite departure from your other material. Where was it filmed? Who was involved?
Yes in fact coming to London has allowed me to really express myself. My performance has become a lot bolder and much more theatrical. So “Me Oh My” being such an expressive song was the perfect choice for my first music video. I wanted to let people know that they can no longer expect the obvious from me.
The video was filmed in my grandparents’ hall. The piano is in fact my grandmother’s. Nick Morales and Keith Falzon both filmed and edited the video. Kirsten Holland did my make up, with the help of a friend of mine, Lisa Schembri. HairFactory was kind enough to sponsor me and Sara Falzon volunteered to come and take some pictures as we were filming. My brother Andrew was also on set helping with the music. And what’s more, I was also sponsored by Amrita (foot care and wellness centre) where I got a lovely massage before the shoot. All in all we were a great team!!

What are you working on, right now?
I am writing a lot of songs these days. I’ve been asked to co-write someone’s album here in London. And I am also co-writing with a teenage girl who I believe has enormous potential. On top of that I’ve co-written for Maltese singer Brooke and I am also working on my own material. I will be living out of a suitcase in December since I am flying from London, to Malta at least 3 times and once to Copenhagen in between. I have also been making cards and small drawings which are associated with my musical style. And underneath all of that I am also giving performance workshops in London, voice lessons in London and Malta, and piano lessons in London. Who said being a musician is easy?!

What should we have asked you?
Where can we buy your EP? – go to www.indiestore.com or come to Teatru Unplugged on the 27/28/29 of November where I will be selling hard copies for just a fiver. Meanwhile, if you want to know what the EP sounds like go have a listen on www.myspace.com/carrieonsinging and check out the music video!

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Man of many talents. Drummer, producer, DJ all wrapped up in one.

I first got to know Toby when he played drums in my brother’s metal band. Fast forward some eleven years, and Toby is now a DJ, artist and producer. I caught up with him to talk about the journey he’s made.

What was your favourite record as a child?

I was always surrounded by music. My Dad used to constantly play vinyl records on his LP player – The Police, Mike Oldfield, Alan Parsons, Hot Chocolate and Boney M. The two songs which really take me back in time whenever I hear them are Mike Oldfield’s ‘Moonlight Shadow’ and Kate Bush’s ‘Running up that Hill’. I guess I took the emotion of Mike, Kate and Alan and mixed them with beats ‘n bass lines from Boney M and Hot Chocolate!

How did you get into dance music?

I played in bands from a really early age. I tried all instruments – bass, lead guitar, keyboards and vocals – but the one I stuck to longest was drums. I love the feeling of lightness after a great drumming session, you really get to bash out all your daily problems. I still do to this day, though some problems take more of a bashing than others. Although I used to play with rock bands, I was always listening to chillout and electronica – a daily dose of Enigma, Mike Oldfield, Alan Parsons and Tangerine Dream. Trust me, you had to, after playing four hours of Metallica covers! Then I started getting into a lot of ambient and Goah Trance and attending Dance and Electronic Events. After that there was no turning back!

Do you consider yourself a musician or a DJ? What’s the difference, in the creative process?

I guess I am both. There is a huge difference between a DJ and a musician. Although it takes great skill to become a good DJ, there is no comparison with being able to play an instrument well. When you are playing, you are creating something that is totally yours; when you are DJing, you are manipulating songs that have already been created by someone else. Unless they are your own work, in which case it’s a very different story. There is nothing quite like playing the instruments to create your own production and then spinning that same track in a club at night!

What’s been the highlight of your career till now?

Signing my publishing deal with EMI UK is right up there, as is watching a Remix I produced climb its way to number 9 in the UK Club charts. Quite a great feeling, but performing to over 10,000 people at festivals is just as satisfying. Nothing really beats performing my own productions with guest artists I have worked with, to 2,500 friends and fans at my ‘Toby live in Concert’ gigs!

Who do you admire?

My parents for lovingly staying together all these years, through thick and thin, and putting up with three boys and me and my mishaps. In music, it’s every artist, musician or DJ who manages to remain level-headed irrespective of success – I just cannot stand arrogance. I admire people who can give selflessly, without expecting something in return.

What’s your idea of a perfect day?

Morning: working in the studio producing for upcoming talent. Afternoon: a dive in Comino’s Santa Marija caves. Evening: Dinner by the sea in Gozo followed by clubbing anywhere to Trance and Electronica.

Do you think a small island like Malta can become a feature on the global dance calendar?

Definitely. We already have a beautiful location and top artists, bands and DJs hitting our shores. We just need to get smarter at marketing the island in in the right way, lengthening the closure time for clubs, events and outdoor festivals (or removing it altogether). Places such as Ibiza and Aia Napa have already shown how the model can work, spinning an entirely new tourism sector in the process.

Beer, wine or fruit juice?

Morning – juice, beer in the afternoon and wine in the evening. Having said that, if there was more of the afternoon and evening going on, it will probably be rounds of morning all day!

What are you working on at the moment?

I am currently creating and producing songs for some really great talents! I love helping people work their way up from the very start. I’ve got around fourteen productions in the pipe line – both local and foreign, upcoming and established artists. I’m also putting together my next ‘Toby Live in Concert’

You always seem to collaborate with vocalists. And you still have your own unique sound.

I am always looking for new sounds, to stay updated with the freshest noise out there. I’m constantly looking for new vocalists, so my style does tend to vary from time to time. It’s all about experimentation. I’d get bored if I were always to produce the same genre. Producing for other people means I get to create all types of music, from classical to R’nB, house, trance and all styles of electronica, to recording rock bands and creating scores and soundtracks for movies and documentaries.

What should we have asked you?

How do you feel about the BMA Nomination you have just received for your song with Niki Gravino ‘Cover your eyes’? It’s always a great feeling to be nominated and appreciated for the work you do. I produced the song and the video was filmed in Germany by acclaimed director Wolfgang Raach, featuring world-renowned stunt man Mike Moller. Can I put in a plug? People can vote for the song by sending an sms with the text ‘TOBY’ to 5061 5302 by the 7th December.

More on Toby on MySpace, YouTube, his website and Facebook. Toby’s latest Album ‘DIGI KINDA LIFE’ available at all Exotique and D’Amato Record shops & www.di-ve.com.

Picture: David P Attard

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For many, a night in Paceville is just a blur

Love it, hate it, wait eagerly to go there weekends, or wince at the thought of it, we all have a reaction to Paceville (pronounced ‘parch-i-ville’) Routinely billed as the heart of Malta’s nightlife, it’s either the place to be seen, or a place to avoid, depending largely on your age and taste in night life. It has everything from clubs to a casino, and an atmosphere ranging from tacky to cool.

Want to know why people go to Paceville? We give you the raw, (almost) unedited viewpoints of people in the know. Here, the 15 – 25 year olds give their verdict. Older ages in future articles. Note: to 16-25s, Paceville is “PV’ (text lingo).

Robyn (18)
1. Fun to meet friends
2. Out of habit
3. Convenient, because everything is close together
4. Like listening to music
5. To meet new people, but hate that there are so many people (editor’s. note: last point may contradict the earlier one).

C.P (16)
1. When I go there, I get a later (parental) curfew.
2. I love ‘Remedy’ (bar with live music)

J.Lo (16) goes to PV to:
1. Listen to the music he likes
2. Socialise with different people
3. To drink
4. To smoke…(editor’s note: …not sure what though).

Charlie (21) says people go to PV to:
1. Get wasted
2. Meet the same people over and over again. No interesting conversations take place there.. just useless, drunken chat.
3. Pull anything of the opposite sex
4. Because ‘there is nothing better to do’.
5. The weekend shows up and people simply feel like clubbing. There are still many who love the place because of that.

(Afterthought): It’s still very cheap to go out (especially if you’re a girl). There are no entrance fees to many of the clubs. It’s drawing ever younger people in: 14 year-olds go there supposedly accompanying their elder siblings.. and end up getting wasted themselves. By the time you get to 21, you’ve done it all and want to move on. Also, if you’ve done any serious travel yourself, you know that there is life beyond Paceville.

What and where is Paceville?

It’s a compact, urban peninsula between St George’s Bay and Spinola Bay and facing the inland residential area of Swieqi. It also has a large number of five-star hotels on its fringes. The St George’s Bay (newly-made) beach is considered Paceville’s local beach. Paceville life centres on Dragonara Road, Wilga Street, St. Georges Road and St. Rita Steps where clubs, bars, restaurants, snack outlets, discos and more spill out into paved streets. It isn’t that attractive a place by day, but at night, it’s like Malta’s mini version of London’s Soho, Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus – loud, brash and in your face.

Facilities: police are present; taxi ranks in main square; Wembley’s, a well-known taxi & mini-bus firm, is just five minutes walk from central Paceville. Minibus services to most outlying towns and villages operate till the early hours. Taxi sharing also possible.

How to get there:

Buses 62, 64, 66, 67, 68, 662, 667 and 671 all pass very frequently through St. Julian’s (stops on main road on fringes of Paceville) from 5.30 till 11.00pm.

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OK, so the dark nights are beckoning, but don’t put those sunglasses away yet. Because you’ll need them next Saturday, 24 October for that unique clubbing concept, Sunglasses at Night, this time at Gianpula (mainroom).

Following the response to the last Sunglasses at Night, organisers Fabric have opted for a bigger venue to make sure, as they put it, “nobody is disappointed”. And with the improved line-up, with the likes of Duncan F, Ziggy, Alvin Gee, and Sub Sonic, there’s every chance you won’t be. But, it’s popular and, on past form, is prone to sell-out. So be forewarned.

A bit of history about Fabric, for those not in the know: Fabric has been delivering events ranging from weekly nights to one-off events both in and outside Paceville. Its lastest innovation, the Sunglasses at Night concept, was born in March 2009 at Poxxbar and packed the newly-opened Marrakech in early July.

Tickets:

10 euro from:

Chilli – The Plaza, Sliema
Chilli – Baystreet
Ryan’s Pub – St. Julians
KSU – On Campus

Or phone: 99479121 or 99459184
Dress Code – Strictly sunglasses!
Doors Open: 22.00.

‘WIN TICKETS’ COMPETITION

in association with Malta Inside Out
The first five to answer this question correctly will each receive a complimentary ticket to the forthcoming Sunglasses at Night event:

Q: When and where is Sunglasses at Night 3 going to be held?

How to Enter: email contact@maltainsideout.com with your answer, giving us your full name and mobile contact number. Winners will be contacted by Fabric directly.

Further Information, on the event or competition, from:
email info@fabricpromo.com
website: www.fabricpromo.com
See also, Fabric on Facebook

For a taster, see:

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The Gaslamp Killer. Murdering dance floors worldwide.

Ever since I discovered SoundCloud, much of the content for this site has been developed against a backdrop of down beats, electronica, ambient and other weird and wonderful music.

And it doesn’t get much more weird and wonderful than Los Angeles-based beatsmith and DJ, William Benjamin Bensussen a.k.a. the Gaslamp Killer, who plays the Escape Club next Saturday. Rarely has a DJ been attributed with so many adjectives – though many converge around ‘wild, dangerous and brilliant.’ His debut EP, appropriately titled My Troubled Mind, has been described as ‘haunted, cinematic music that unhinges the listener, approaching a surreal dissociation and restoration of the self’.

What is a cert is that the Gaslamp killer is murdering dance floors across the globe with a restless cocktail of dubstep, trip-hop, hip-hop, freak psychedelia, funk, jazz and everything in between. There is really nothing very conventional about this man. What really differentiates him from other DJs is an extensive knowledge of psychedelic rock, demonic bass-heavy Hip-Hop, Middle-Eastern/ Indian rare grooves, and ear-piercing helicopter breaks. The freak-out energy he generates through crowds has become a trade mark of his sets around the world.

Venue: the Escape Club in St. George’s bay. Doors open on Saturday at 10pm. Tickets at Euros 14 each can be reserved via email to pinkpube1@yahoo.com or just show up at the door. The evening includes sets from local DJs Danjeli (Live), Owen Jay, A.I. Big Dog Foundation, Synthact and Ezzy. Expect the Gaslamp Killer behind the decks around 1am.

And here is a taster of what you can expect next Saturday. Prepare to move out of your comfort zone.

The Gaslamp Killer, Live @ The Drake, Sept 13 2009. Toronto. from mymanhenri on Vimeo.

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The Rifffs, hats off because they're back in vogue

In Malta, the Rifffs is a ska band that is the stuff of legends. Here, Ray and Rayvin talk to Alex Grech, who first watched the band live in 1979 and has remained a fan since.

We grew up on glam rock. Gary Glitter, the Sweet, Suzy Q. Then punk arrived and ruffled everybody’s feathers. And we started to get into the Specials and Madness. This June we watched the Specials at Brixton Academy. Ska is really back in the groove of life.

Rayvin has always been the glue to this band. In 2005, soon after he returned to Malta from New Zealand, he started calling the other members of the band. Initially, all we wanted to do was jam. After about an hour, we knew we were as tight as an outfit as we’d ever been. In April 2006, we recorded Life of Crime as a comeback singe. And it really dawned on us that most of our music only lived in peoples’ heads and vinyl. We also needed to record a CD to have any chance of returning to the international gigging circuit. The intention was initially to record the old songs. But Ray was writing new material and Moonstomp emerged out of our sessions.

2009 has been pretty special. We’ve played in Berlin, Leipzig, Olsi and Prague. Everywhere we went, we were virtual unknowns and ended up more than holding our own with the American ska bands. The highlight till now has to be the Mighty Sounds festival. A crazy three-day festival of new music in front of 4,000 people. It’s like a conveyor belt of 150 bands over three days… ska, reggae, punk.

We’re more of a family than a band. There’s endless source of inspiration from within. Ray may write the songs, but they just cannot come to life without the chemistry of the band.

When the world gets depressed, the ska bands re-emerge. At the end of the seventies we penned Dance music for the eighties depression. We’ve never seen so many ska bands as this year. Ska first showed up when music was losing its direction and it saved the day. Now, it just stands on its own, but it’s being rediscovered by a whole new wave of people.

We’re part of a generation’s life journey. We first hit the radio waves because of Noel Mallia and Ray Bajada. They played Dance Music for the eighties depression, and Too pushy mama, when other DJs did not quite know what to make of us. Those early songs are still in people’s memory banks. As are all the merchandise of the times. We used to screen-print all the t-shirts at Rayvin’s house.

To get anywhere in music these days, you need to build your own networks. Particularly online, where we make extensive use of MySpace. At one point this year we were no 2 in the ska charts in garagebands.com. People now also come up to us with their own projects. We particularly liked the work Jagged Edge House did with Jack the Ripper.

Over 30 years, you accumulate too many memories for standouts. Perhaps in 1981, at Wave Studio, in Hoxton Square, London. We look up and Marc Storace walked in with Ray Bonnici, the BBC journalist, who at the time worked as a freelancer for music magazines in London. John Peel playing us on Alternative Charts was pretty special.

In those early eighties, we stayed in various squats round London. Finally in 1981, we found a great house off Camberwell Road, between Oval and Camberwell Green in 1981. Two guys from Alternative Music got us in. We had food, electricity, everything we needed. We lived there for around six months. Then the skids came off. We were on a record label called Pinnacle, who went bust. They did not distribute any of our records to the shop.. though Peel was playing us on his show! We scattered in different directions. In 1982, we both formed Characters. We gigged for 10 years. We’re still proud of the music we made in that period.

We have 10 kids between us.The spirit of the Rifffs is still young. We’re still as crazy as we used to be. We just enjoy what we’re doing. Having a beer or walking down to the market. We’re still Valletta boys. The jokes are as bad as ever.

Ska is timeless. At the beer festival, we were amazed at how many young people just get it. In Berlin, this year, the audience seemed to be people aged 17 to 70. It’s pretty humbling to think that some of our music has already lasted 30 years. The Rifffs then, and the Riffs today are like twins. Pretty much the same levels of energy. We never really knew what to do with Rifffs mark 1. We experimented as a power ska band with some punk overtones. Now, we know that people will always be into music for the feet.

Trying to be a band in Malta has all sorts of challenges. It’s a great rehearsal place. It’s close to Europe. How many places can you get to play something like Rockestra? But we’re here because of other choices. Ray alternates between a full-time musician and a stay at home dad. Rayvin runs Panopus, a printing firm for architects and engineers in London. If you want to make it big, as a band, you still have no choice but to get out there and take your music to a larger public. We did. And we’ll continue to do so.

We know we still have edge, as a band. We’d love to play in Berlin every day. It’s such a cool city. Over there, we’re this band from the Med bringing ska music into a new era. If we can get rastafarians in Leipzig to dance, then we guess we can still hold our own with the best.

Photo: Allen Venables

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Notte Bianca: bringing Valletta nights to life, at least once a year

“Notte Bianca” comes from Italian and means White Night. Lately, it’s become synonymous with an initiative of many countries around the world. For one night, a city literally comes to life at night in an explosion of activities till the early hours.

The first “Notte Bianca” in Malta took place in 2006 in Valletta, and is one of the events of the year. In a capital city that, unlike others, tends to go quiet at night – Notte Bianca is the catalyst for all-night activities around the fortified city. Shops, churches and museums remain open till late. And every corner teems with music, opera, poetry readings, exhibitions, dance, street theatre and more. This year, the programme extends to the Valletta Waterfront, and also introduces Corto Maltese to the Maltese audience.

The extensive programme of events is downloadable from the dedicated website. What’s great fun about Notte Bianca is that the compact nature of Valletta means that you can catch a lot of what’s going on if you’re prepared to keep walking. Bring comfortable shoes and you can go from, say, an accordion band to a fashion show in Castille Place to the Rifffs in Freedom Square via an art exhibition at the National Museum of Fine Arts. Or take the kids to Hastings Garden for puppet theatre and animation and then head off to the Old Opera House for medieval re-enactments. And whenever you need to recharge your batteries, there are watering holes and food to be found in every street corner.

Notte Bianca is an opportunity to see Valletta like we rarely see it at night: vibrant, electric and with the doors of its cafes, restaurants, museums, palaces and courtyards open to kids of all ages.

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