The popular Maltese girl band Cryptic Street has launched a campaign on local crowdfunding platform ZAAR to replace vital music equipment stolen last month – and they’re doing brilliantly!
The band was shocked to discover last month that their Birkirkara garage in which they practice had been broken into, and their musical equipment worth €6,000 had been stolen.
The targeted burglary was especially devastating for the four young female musicians, since it abruptly brought to a halt all the group’s future plans - as the loss of equipment meant that all their upcoming events had to be cancelled.
However, after sharing their heart-breaking story via the local media, Cryptic Street is turning to its loyal followers in Malta and beyond to raise the funds to replace the music equipment that had been stolen.
“We couldn’t believe it when we found that our equipment – the essential tools of our music trade – had been stolen in such a merciless, targeted robbery,” says Cryptic Street main vocalist Leona Farrugia.
“But we are determined not to let this stop us from serving up more alternative post-punk music for our fans, and so are appealing to the public via ZAAR to help us replace the equipment that was stolen and get the band back up and rocking again.”
Made up of four female members, Cryptic Street features Leona as main vocalist, as well as guitarist Janelle Borg, bassist Leanne Zammit, and drummer Michelle Farrugia.
The band already has an impressive resume, having undertaken a UK/Spain tour, supporting Acid Mothers Temple and Pins among others, and releasing their debut album Titty Monster under the direction of David Vella. Although the band’s stock of merchandise and some guitars were fortunately safe at home at the time of the robbery, their rehearsal garage was cleared out of all other equipment including a full set of drums.
Any funds raised via the crowdfunding campaign on ZAAR will be kept by the band, and used to replace the guitarist’s equipment, bassist’s equipment, amplifiers, cables, speakers and drum kit that had been stolen in the raid. With a funding goal of €6,000, the band’s ZAAR campaign has already received many donations from fans eager to see the hardworking band performing their distinctive genre of music again.
However, with the crowdfunding campaign set to close at the end of June, the four members of Cryptic Street hope that the public will keep donating to help them achieve their funding goal and fully replace their equipment.
“What better way to get back on our feet after this madness, than with the help of the Maltese public who have helped us get to where we are today?” asks Leona. “We chose to crowdfund via ZAAR since it’s a local platform, which is not only professional and efficient, but also helps us connect directly with the Maltese public who have been so touched by our story.”
More information about the Cryptic Street crowdfunding campaign can be found on the ZAAR website by visiting www.zaar.com.mt/projects/helpcryptic/. While Cryptic Street hugely appreciate any donations received via their crowdfunding campaign, they also appeal to anyone who can offer any information regarding the robbery to contact the police.