Keeping mum and making music
Chasing Pandora's new album, Two, hits stores early next month, showcasing the band's new lease of life. They chatted to Jo Caruana about their new sound, the path ahead and Asia's 4 a.m. feeds.
Melissa and Keith wandered into my office looking sprightly, and with an album in the bag and things looking peachy why wouldn't they? Keith (with a banjo under one arm, literally) is visibly elated by the fact everything's finally come together; Mel, meanwhile, whips out a photo of her baby daughter Asia Rain - her inspiration.
"The fact is, that for a minute there, we weren't sure if Chasing Pandora would go on," explained Mel. "I was pregnant and everyone around me kept saying things like: 'Wow you must be feeling so inspired,' or 'Now you've got loads of time to write,' but I was struggling. Nothing felt right and whatever I did felt stinted.
"A writer of any sort goes through phases but with me unable to write we were a little afraid that that would be the end of us! We took a break and it was my call whether we went on or not.
"Thankfully, on the very day Asia arrived, everything changed; I felt sane again. I was able to make music and my inspiration reappeared.
"Having a baby was such an incredibly life-changing experience and one which gave me a lot of time to think about my future - I knew that if my ability to write ever did reappear I desperately wanted to do it again. It did, and as a result our new work has a distinctly more positive feel to it."
Meanwhile, Keith was having his own 'baby' - building a studio in Gozo where he could experiment.
"After our previous album Mocking the Mocking Bird we were feeling a bit lacklustre and we tried a lot of different things to get us going again," he explained.
"Since I had the studio I was able to try out varying ideas and sounds in my own time. I tried recording a track and instead of everything being rushed I was able to work with different instruments and elements. Audiences will notice these influences on the album as you can hear banjos, mandolins and a ukulele; hopefully it all adds up to a more interesting overall sound."
Fans are already raving about Chasing Pandora's new work.
"I think they're enjoying our newfound optimism as a lot of our older work was quite dark. And they're loving Keith's singing too apparently!
"His vocals have been a surprising addition as I think he's always been perceived by many as my shadow. A duet has been on the cards for a while.
"Vocally I think I've changed a lot. Whereas before I was perhaps trying too hard to be technical, these days I'm much more natural.
"That's a lesson to many Maltese singers out there - sing from the heart, be natural and don't try to be anything you're not. The best vocals you hear are the ones that come naturally.
"The four tracks on the album are inspired by different things. There's No One Else is a love song and could be about anyone you love - a boyfriend, mother or partner.
"The lyrics are universal but I wrote them with my daughter in mind. Only Yesterday is, lyrically, probably the best thing I've ever written and musically it's Keith's favourite.
"It's about the frustrations of living in a world we all want to change for the better but knowing we're limited. We hear about war, terrorism, global warming and everyone wants to help but what are we really doing?
"The world keeps turning and we still complain about the stupid stuff - a week of rain, or too much sun - I don't think we're grateful for what we have. Asia's made me think about these things more, she's made me more in touch with myself and the world around me, she's my little guru!"
Mel has successfully managed to merge being a musician with being a mum.
"Asia came out of the womb famous - she was the first baby born in Gozo in 2008! She's definitely got a performance streak, I can see it already.
"As for juggling motherhood with music, I really can't complain. In the weeks after Asia was born the band and I communicated by e-mail, sending concepts and ideas back and forth.
"It's not easy when Asia's being playful and demanding (she's got a real diva streak from somewhere!) but we managed. My mum helps me out a lot, making it easier for me to travel to Malta to record with the band, even though I'm still breastfeeding which makes things more complicated. My partner Saviour is great with her too of course, very helpful and a hands-on daddy.
"Many people still wonder whether Asia is Keith's and find it hard to imagine that we've only ever been bandmates and friends - it's just platonic I promise!"
And the future's looking rosy: the band are looking forward to a summer jam-packed with gigs and Go Mobile recently made them the second artistes whose AP can be downloaded from their website.
"Quite an honour as the other artist is Madonna!" quipped Keith.
"We've also been asked to play at the MTV Music Week and we'll be at the Beerfest too, among other things.
"We also have a new, simpler, acoustic line-up with two guitars and vocals - this has given our songs a new lease of life and we're thrilled with the addition of guitarist Charles Busuttil."
And will little Asia attend the gigs?
"Of course she will! Her dad will be bringing her along and she'll be the guest of honour. I'm looking forward to showing her what her mad mum gets up to!"
• More information about the album and the band's upcoming gigs may be obtained online: www.chasingpandora.com. Alternatively find them on Facebook and Myspace.
"The fact is, that for a minute there, we weren't sure if Chasing Pandora would go on," explained Mel. "I was pregnant and everyone around me kept saying things like: 'Wow you must be feeling so inspired,' or 'Now you've got loads of time to write,' but I was struggling. Nothing felt right and whatever I did felt stinted.
"A writer of any sort goes through phases but with me unable to write we were a little afraid that that would be the end of us! We took a break and it was my call whether we went on or not.
"Thankfully, on the very day Asia arrived, everything changed; I felt sane again. I was able to make music and my inspiration reappeared.
"Having a baby was such an incredibly life-changing experience and one which gave me a lot of time to think about my future - I knew that if my ability to write ever did reappear I desperately wanted to do it again. It did, and as a result our new work has a distinctly more positive feel to it."
Meanwhile, Keith was having his own 'baby' - building a studio in Gozo where he could experiment.
"After our previous album Mocking the Mocking Bird we were feeling a bit lacklustre and we tried a lot of different things to get us going again," he explained.
"Since I had the studio I was able to try out varying ideas and sounds in my own time. I tried recording a track and instead of everything being rushed I was able to work with different instruments and elements. Audiences will notice these influences on the album as you can hear banjos, mandolins and a ukulele; hopefully it all adds up to a more interesting overall sound."
Fans are already raving about Chasing Pandora's new work.
"I think they're enjoying our newfound optimism as a lot of our older work was quite dark. And they're loving Keith's singing too apparently!
"His vocals have been a surprising addition as I think he's always been perceived by many as my shadow. A duet has been on the cards for a while.
"Vocally I think I've changed a lot. Whereas before I was perhaps trying too hard to be technical, these days I'm much more natural.
"That's a lesson to many Maltese singers out there - sing from the heart, be natural and don't try to be anything you're not. The best vocals you hear are the ones that come naturally.
"The four tracks on the album are inspired by different things. There's No One Else is a love song and could be about anyone you love - a boyfriend, mother or partner.
"The lyrics are universal but I wrote them with my daughter in mind. Only Yesterday is, lyrically, probably the best thing I've ever written and musically it's Keith's favourite.
"It's about the frustrations of living in a world we all want to change for the better but knowing we're limited. We hear about war, terrorism, global warming and everyone wants to help but what are we really doing?
"The world keeps turning and we still complain about the stupid stuff - a week of rain, or too much sun - I don't think we're grateful for what we have. Asia's made me think about these things more, she's made me more in touch with myself and the world around me, she's my little guru!"
Mel has successfully managed to merge being a musician with being a mum.
"Asia came out of the womb famous - she was the first baby born in Gozo in 2008! She's definitely got a performance streak, I can see it already.
"As for juggling motherhood with music, I really can't complain. In the weeks after Asia was born the band and I communicated by e-mail, sending concepts and ideas back and forth.
"It's not easy when Asia's being playful and demanding (she's got a real diva streak from somewhere!) but we managed. My mum helps me out a lot, making it easier for me to travel to Malta to record with the band, even though I'm still breastfeeding which makes things more complicated. My partner Saviour is great with her too of course, very helpful and a hands-on daddy.
"Many people still wonder whether Asia is Keith's and find it hard to imagine that we've only ever been bandmates and friends - it's just platonic I promise!"
And the future's looking rosy: the band are looking forward to a summer jam-packed with gigs and Go Mobile recently made them the second artistes whose AP can be downloaded from their website.
"Quite an honour as the other artist is Madonna!" quipped Keith.
"We've also been asked to play at the MTV Music Week and we'll be at the Beerfest too, among other things.
"We also have a new, simpler, acoustic line-up with two guitars and vocals - this has given our songs a new lease of life and we're thrilled with the addition of guitarist Charles Busuttil."
And will little Asia attend the gigs?
"Of course she will! Her dad will be bringing her along and she'll be the guest of honour. I'm looking forward to showing her what her mad mum gets up to!"
• More information about the album and the band's upcoming gigs may be obtained online: www.chasingpandora.com. Alternatively find them on Facebook and Myspace.