Winning the Best Male Artist award at last year’s Malta Music Awards was the culmination of a lot of hard work to establish a presence in the local music scene for vocalist Aaron Benjamin.
“I didn’t think I stood a chance, because the other nominees were all top artists and also the fact that I wasn’t Maltese,” the British-born but locally-based artist still contends.
Months later, Benjamin’s career is well on course, and he has just released a new self-penned single Friend to You.
Producer Boris Cezek had written some music and Benjamin fell in love with the tune. The topic reflects a situation he found himself in after he quit singing with a signed group in the UK.
What ensued drove Benjamin to consider ending his music career: “I remember waking up the next day, feeling like I’d lost everything; it was a very sobering feeling.”
The band wrote a song called Friend to Me, which was about the bass player who had left the band shortly before Benjamin.
Years later, Benjamin decided to write one called Friend To You, written from a totally different perspective.
“It’s about the fact that even through adversity and stupid situations and emotions and egos, one can still be a friend to someone, whether or not the other person accepts or wants that friendship. As you can imagine, it’s a very personal song.”
The song was recorded some time ago, but Benjamin admits he wasn’t sure about releasing it as it was so personal. However, he eventually decided to let his feelings out.
Somewhat different from Benjamin’s signature pop-rock inclination, the song is more of a power ballad.
“If I can move just one person with my song it makes it all worthwhile,” says Benjamin.
Besides making music, Benjamin has also started hosting a radio show, In The Zone between 6.15 and 8 p.m. from Monday to Friday on One Radio.
He will be playing music from the UK and US Top 40, as well as music from the local scene. The show will also include regular guests and there are plans to feature live acoustic sessions.
Artists interested in being on the show should send an email to music@aaronbenjamin.co.uk.
www.aaronbenjamin.co.uk