It’s that time of year when we all get to pause for a moment and look back at what the year that is about to end has given us. This applies for all aspects of life, of course, but music being my preferred area of interest, I’ll stick to those releases and events that left their mark on me these past 12 months.
I start by congratulating Gaia on her success in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, and I’ll stop right there about it too.
Frankly, I would just love to see the local media give the Maltese music scene the same amount of column inches that was dedicated to the whole hullabaloo that kicked off when the little girl was awarded a national honour.
Exposure and recognition shouldn’t only be given to those who succeed, but to all who strive to be creative. In the long run, this show of support across the board would greatly motivate even more potential artists to take the step of sharing their music with everyone.
Despite an acute lack of live venues on the island, the amount of events was quite significant, and I enjoyed a good number of them.
I can’t not mention Brikkuni’s triumphant concert at Pjazza Teatru Rjal, mostly because it was such an entertaining performance and a great step forward in bringing authentic contemporary Maltese pop to the masses.
Another performance I enjoyed was the Big Band Brothers’ Tribute to Val Valente. Part of the Malta Saxophone Festival, this performance was vibrant and versatile, and certainly deserved to be held in a larger venue and enjoyed by more people.
Earlier this year, Xtruppaw’s album launch was another incredible night out that reflected the dedication behind the novelty element this band’s musical satire openly flaunts.
Staged in a smaller venue, No Bling Show’s launch concert was yet another brilliant gig. They packed out the Orpheum, instilling a theatrical edge into the proceedings as their jagged verses rallied the crowd.
On the metal side, the metal festivals held annually on the island once again proved their worth with great line-ups.
I must also mention the Malta Takes London gig which, despite taking place on foreign soil, was a great showcase of just how far Maltese contemporary music has come.
As far as local releases go, this has been another fruitful year. A good number of albums and an even greater number of single and music video releases may point to a lot of activity, but it’s just as important to remember that the best way for a band to learn its chops is by performing live.
Exposure and recognition shouldn’t only be given to those who succeed, but to all who strive to be creative
It would probably be more beneficial for a good number of them to spend more time performing in public before stepping into the studio.
Of the multitude of singles (mostly radio or online promos), my absolute favourite this year was Jane Doe’s Goldrush. A contemplative reworking of the version off the now-deleted Keeps Me Waiting EP, the song references triphop, while retaining keys elements of the sound the band has been honing this past year or so (and comes with a great video to boot).
The Rifffs’ long-awaited return was marked by Start the Revolution, unveiling a more old-school side to their established ska sound, and a delectable taster of the new album that should see light of day in 2014.
It was my intention to stick to just three picks, but of course, I never quite manage. How could I go for Skimmed’s brilliant Ronnie and leave out The Areola Treat’s pummelling Radio On? Or pick Mana Tapu’s infectious Babylon Aside in lieu of No Snow /No Alps’ N.E.W, or even The Velts’ Jealous?
And the list goes on really, too many cool tunes to choose from indeed, but I’m not complaining.
It’s a similar situation when it comes to albums and EPs, of course, and I found myself totally confused trying to pick between Nomad Son’s The Darkening, Cusp’s The Spiritual Ritual, The Shh’s All Things With Love and Clandestines’ Saturday as Usual; all four amazing records.
Of course, the list is actually longer, also featuring Victims of Creation’s epic Symmetry of Our Plagued Existence, Robert Farrugia’s Almost There/On the Way and Prayer of the Dying’s God’s Failed Creation, as well as Cable 35’s Fungus, Alex Alden’s The Curious Child, A Lily’s Lupa, The Busker’s Greenwich Village, Jim Hickey’s Railings and Skimmed’s Summer Lovers, among several others.
And then there are the Maltese language albums: Xtruppaw’s infamous Xtruppożitorju, for example, or Sempliċiment tat-Triq’s Qumu Minn Hemm, as well as No Bling Show’s Ċar Kristall and Particle Blue’s online release Mill-Qalb, which was given too low-key a release in my opinion.
After much thought, I went for the album I listened to most and that was The Shh’s All Things With Love; a record that is hewn from simple melodies that sink in with the greatest of ease.
It was particularly great to see several bands and artists releasing songs in Maltese – among them Ħolma Qattusa, Banda Briganti, Mistura and Fastidju – with a perspective that has discarded the formulaic approach.
This year also saw the revival of the Festival tal-Kanzunetta Maltija. Rather than picking up where it left off – which is what it seemed to be mainly aiming for – this festival and others like it should encourage every effort by artists to step outside the tried and tested formula and seek to take the Maltese song to new heights.