“My adventure in the world of music started when I was 18 years old, quite frankly, when my uncle bought me a guitar.”

It is a rather common story really, and I’m sure there are many musicians out there who, like Sicilian artist Hesael, owe their involvement in music to some relative or friend’s generosity.

“The minute I got the instrument I went to my room and wrote my first song, because I’d had this desire to write my own songs for a long time,” he continues.

Hesael (real name Emanuel Pavano) has been visiting Malta for many years as a tourist but only got to play his first live gig on the island fairly recently.

Why, I ask, did he choose the name Hesael and does it have any particular significance?

“Hesael is the name of one of the angels,” he says, pausing slightly and with smile. Given that he actually looks more like a young Johnny Depp – trilby and all – than a winged heavenly creature, I urge him to elaborate further.

“I like to think he is my angel, and I also like the sound of it.”

But surely, having a name with an ‘h’ at the beginning proves rather difficult for most Italians to pronounce? “Probably,” he laughs, “but I’ve never liked things that are easy, and I feel this is also reflected in the music I write.”

Mindful of the fact that he likes to sing in English – covers, mostly – I’m curious as to which artists he regards as major influences.

“When I first joined a band, I actually started out as a drummer, not a singer, so I was influenced by bands like Nirvana and U2, and also The Beatles obviously.” He also mentions Sting and David Bowie, adding that he is especially fond of the music of the 1980s, “bands like Depeche Mode and Spandau Ballet, for example”.

Is this then, I wonder, why he prefers to sing in English rather than Italian? “This may sound odd, but I really do prefer to sing in English when performing live. I suppose it’s because I grew up listening mostly to British and American music, so I feel it is a big part of me, but of course I also sing in Italian.”

Another reason may be that Hesael’s background includes a lengthy stint working as an animator for an established Italian tour operator. “In the years I worked there, I got to perform in front of thousands of people,” he reminisces. “I still believe it was that experience that truly turned me into a musician. Playing to so many people week in, week out, I had to learn quickly and develop my act to adapt accordingly, and that experience proved to be a fundamental lesson to me that I carry with me to this day.”

Another thing he has done during this musical journey of his, is participate in festivals which, locally at least, may not seem as palatable to everyone. “The thing is, participating in festivals gave me the chance to see where I stand against other artists as well as to meet new people. I think such events are a great platform for emerging artists, and I must say I’ve had encouraging results – a lot of second places too,” he laughs, “but you can’t always win, no?”

Perhaps not, but last year he did win the award for Best Emerging Artist at the 2012 edition of the prestigious Sicilia È festival. “I was very surprised to win that award, but also very honoured, as the event itself, as well as the award, are quite important.”

I don’t like to plan a lot for the future, as I don’t feel it really belongs to me. I’m more of a spontaneous person

Apart from performing covers which, of course, he likes to give his own touch to, Hesael also writes music for film, collaborates with DJs on crossover remix and chill-out projects and writes pop songs in Italian. In fact, he recently released his debut single, Il Fuoco Ardente, along with an accompanying video that flaunts his Italian side, represented in this case by a shapely young lady in red. So which music does he feel most comfortable with?

“Each of them gives me a different feeling,” he explains. “When I write for film, I keep in mind that I must translate what I am seeing into music so my boundaries are set. On the other hand, when I’m writing pop songs I have more space and freedom to write, as these are inspired by personal emotions and experiences.”

One particular experience was the death of his father two years ago, which he went on to address on his song Prendiamoci le Mani.

“Understandably, it is a sad song, and also very personal to me. But it also offers hope, and I’m especially pleased that the Lega Italiana Lotta ai Tumori picked it as their anthem, using it for their fundraising campaigns in the fight against cancer.”

With his debut single now out, I ask what other plans he has in the pipeline. “I love to perform live, so that will always be at the top of my list, and now that I have also made some great musician friends here, I would like to come back to Malta more often. I totally love this island and it will be great to not only come for a holiday but also to perform here.”

So what other new projects lie ahead?

“I don’t like to plan a lot for the future, as I don’t feel it really belongs to me. I’m more of a spontaneous person, but having said that, yes, I will probably be recording another album of chill-out music soon.”

Will there also be a follow-up to Il Fuoco Ardente, or is it still too soon?

“I actually have lots of finished songs and tons of new ideas too, but because I’m an unsigned artist, I have to operate differently.

“However, most likely yes, I will release another single, probably Il Ballo Dell’Angelo. But I will probably have come back to Malta a few more times before that happens, so we’ll talk again,” he concludes. “Meanwhile, don’t forget I’ll be playing at this year’s Konkors Kanzunetta Indipendenza on Thursday.”

www.facebook.com/emanuele.pavano