An all-Gozitan band, The Travellers are merging their own style of folk, pop, indie and reggae with Maltese lyrics to belt out a unique sound.

The current line-up is Chris Gatt on vocals, Joseph Xerri on trumpet, Sylvano Mizzi on saxophone, Andrew Vella on guitar and backing vocals, Clayton Bonello on bass guitar and Michael Camilleri on drums.

“We cover a variety of bands, but in each case we completely transform the covers to fit our style,” explains Bonello.

The boys live the lifestyle of many Gozitan youth today, travelling back and forth between Malta and Gozo. Rehearsals are held in their makeshift studio in Gozo every weekend.

“The Ħondoq Fest was the first time we played more of our own original songs than covers,” explains Vella. “We had spent the last six months working on new material.”

A pop, folk, indie and reggae fusion is accented by saxophone and trumpet arrangements, rounded out by soaring vocals. “Every song has its own story. The style varies from darker rhythms to more fun, upbeat tunes,” Vella continues.

“We don’t limit ourselves, but the main theme of our lyrics delve into society and travel. At times our lyrics can be very abstract in order to pass on to the listener feelings and emotions and not simply plain words,” says Bonello.

Their single Pirati is an example of this, with poignant lyrics encouraging followers to fight like pirates in order to stand up for their rights.

“Our lyrics can be interpreted in many ways. The important thing about lyrics is that there is a metaphoric meaning that can be personal to the listener,” says Gatt.

Pirati was originally written in English and later translated into Maltese. And the experiment certainly seems to have worked, if the reaction of the crowd at Ħondoq Fest is anything to go by.

www.facebook.com/thetravellersmalta