Not a drop …but lots of blubbing!

Last weekend was intense! One of those weekends where I think …why the hell am I in this business, then I get on stage and I tell myself I was born to do this! I think every artist who considers him/herself to be an artist thinks that.

In one weekend I managed to feel euphoria like never before, adrenalin was sky high and I was soaring. After many collaborations and song writing sessions with one of my idols, I managed to grace the stage with him also and share something magical. I talk of Ray Mercieca, the man who once drew a crowd of 8,000 locals to Luxol Grounds to his concert back in the 80’s. Yes you read right….8,000 punters singing along to hits like ‘Down by the Water’….and last weekend there I was on stage at the gorgeous Manoel Theatre singing my heart and soul out with him. The audience seemed to love what we did and I was moved by the whole experience.

‘Teatru Unplugged’ was magical this year…Sasha came back for a while from Belgium and guitar in hand, regaled us with some of her original numbers, accompanied by Sammy on the piano. Her soothing voice never seizes to amaze me!

I also shared the stage with another special act last Friday. The Jeff Buckley cover duet with Melissa (Chasing Pandora) ‘Hallelujah’ was beautiful. The audience was shaken to its core and I just couldn’t contain myself at the end and started blubbing away. Melissa and I just stood there hugging each other on stage it was such an emotional moment for us both! It’s just truly amazing how music can really unite people.

Last weekend was about sharing the gift of music with our audience and with each other. I speak on behalf of all local musicians. The real artists, the ones who really love making music together are in it for the adrenalin, for the crack in our voice, cause of emotions, for the tear at the edge of our eye, for the lump in our throat, for the pride of seeing an audience who is appreciative of our passion for something we cannot live without.

Saturday standing on that podium receiving the award for Best Album for 2008, I got a little emotional, because I know how hard it was working on that album, how half way through I wanted to call it quits because I nearly lost my voice…but how it came back…and with a vengeance….sometimes you feel like you’re being kicked when you’re down, but when you get up again, you come back stronger than before. I feel notes rumble inside and my voice can’t wait to be set free. I sing stronger than ever before, I’m happier, sadder, angrier and more in control all at the same time. I want to leap with joy and cry a river. THIS is what music gives me an array of emotions which make my life full to the brim with a lust for achieving and sharing this with fellow musicians.

Ira Losco is nominated for ‘Best Song’ Idle Motion and Best Solo Artist at the 2008 Bay Music Awards on the 12th December at the Eden Arena.