The second album by Brodu has just dropped and, judging by what’s been revealed so far it’s as intense as the band’s debut offering. Probably more, as vocalist Mark Abela, better known as iz-Zizza, tells Ramona Depares.
When Brodu’s debut album, Ħabullabullojb, was first released two years ago, I remember listening to the album and being blown away into a parallel world.
It wasn’t so much the music as it was the whole package. The lyrics, dark yet with unexpected touches of levity throughout. The themes, which ranged from solitude to drugs to social hypocrisy to the mundanity that is daily living, really. The music, unpredictable and a bit like a kid with ADHD, yet somehow working beautifully. And iz-Zizza’s voice, which may not be the most musically spectacular ever, but which somehow is all the better for its imperfections.
Now comes Tfejt, the band’s sophomore album. So far, we have been offered one taster: Erġajt Waqajt f’Koma, as painfully exquisite as anything on the first album. And, in iz-Zizza’s words, pain and a general feeling of hopelessness is a running theme throughout, which is why I chose to refer to Joy Division’s track New Dawn Fades as the header for this interview: “The strain’s too much, can’t take much more… Can’t seem to feel it anymore.”
For the sake of all those who love music that burrows deep into the soul, it’s a good thing that the five guys who make up Brodu clearly as still feeling it some more.
It’s been about two years since the release of the first album Ħabullabullojb – how has Brodu changed since then and what has the band been up to?
We had a small change in line-up. Vanni emigrated to Australia and Chris Mallia (Beesqueeze, ex-Cable 35) joined the band on drums and backing vocals. Drinu became a father and Fre lost his father about a year ago. Samuel is investing more in meaningful relationships, and I lost my faith.
Music-wise, we were mainly composing songs for the second album and recording them in the temple at Mistra. We also played some nice gigs.
The first album was characterised by two specific elements. The first is the sombre, existential theme that is common to all tracks, which seems to subsist given your description of a theme of solitude, hopelessness and resignation. Would you say these themes are a reflection of the band’s real-life experiences?
For us, making music is a need, born out of the emotional rollercoaster that is life. Creating songs is a way by which we can express our emotions, which otherwise might stay repressed.
The first track, Erġajt Waqajt f’Koma, mentions things like “gwerra wara l-bieb, funeral f’darna”. What was the inspiration behind the song – is this a reflection of current events around us?
We started composing Tfejt with the aim of making a more coherent and less dramatic album
Erġajt Waqajt f’Koma is a song expressing a mixture of confusion, sadness, and a hint of anger. These feelings are brought about by personal issues and social issues, as you pointed out. Watching the news, and seeing the war in Syria, people drowning around us, terrorism, makes me feel confused. And then my religious background confounds me more.
Also, the title of the song is recycled. It used to be the name of a Vegetables song. The saying “waqajt f’koma” was created by Ryan Abela/DJ Geddumu.
Going by the above track, there also seems to be a stronger electronic presence. Would you agree?
Not really. We have always used synthesisers, since we share the practice garage with Plato’s Dream Machine, which is a band with lots of electronic sounds. But, apart from the synths, the music is mostly non-electronic. We do have some electronic drum sounds in other songs, but not much.
The second element notable in the first album was the diversity within the music itself. What can we expect in terms of style from the second album?
We started composing Tfejt with the aim of making a more coherent and less dramatic album. I think we sort of succeeded, excluding one or two songs. In the early stages of the album we discovered artists like Mac Demarco, Ariel Pink, Sufjan Stevens, Chris Cohen and Daniel Johnston, who have influenced our songs immensely.
How long has Tfejt been in the works?
About two years, though there’s a song which I composed for a project with migrants, which is like seven or eight years old.
What would you say was the biggest challenge in putting it together?
Finding time to rehearse and to prepare ourselves for the recording process. Most of us are really busy with other things.
The first album included Ċimiterju, which became iconic on the Maltese music scene. Is there an equivalent of that track in Tfejt?
I don’t think there is a Ċimiterju equivalent in Tfejt. Ċimiterju was written while being very, very emotionally-charged. It also has a certain subtle positivity, and I think that’s what makes it popular with people.
The songs on Tfejt are still very emotionally-charged, but more sad and hopeless than the songs on the first album. Having said that, a couple of our friends have given us good feedback about some songs.
So, why Tfejt?
Tfejt is giving up, resigning, losing all hope, not caring anymore. Tfejt is switching off the light.
What can we expect from the launch concert?
Nothing spectacular. We wish to make the people feel at home in the theatre. We chose the theatre at St James Cavalier because it’s small, comfortable and intimate.
Brodu is made up of Iz-Zizza, Il-Fre, Drinu, Samwel and Chris. Tfejt will be launched next Sunday at the theatre in St James Cavalier, Valletta. The first show starts at 5.30pm, while the second one is at 8.30pm. Tickets are available online or from St James Cavalier.
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