Maltese All-Girl Band Turns To Crowdfunding to Replace Stolen Equipment As Fellow Musicians Organise Festival In Their Name
A Zaar Crowdfunding page has been set up for Cryptic Street, the Maltese all-girl band that recently returned to their Birkirkara rehearsal space only to find all their equipment stolen. The page, which was set up by a fan of the band, has an aim of €6,000 – the approximate value of the equipment that was 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’s singer 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.”
Since the burglary, Cryptic Street haven’t been able to continue practicing in their rehearsal space, abruptly bringing a halt all the group’s future plans. They’ve also had to cancel their upcoming events, though many of Malta’s musicians have come together to set up a show this weekend in their name – and they’ll be performing in it.
The band received a lot of public support after they shared their story on local and social media and they are determined not to let the burglary hold them back
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 résumé, 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.
The band have already raised over €1,700 in donations since they’ve launched the Zaar campaign. 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.”
Whilst 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 them or the police.
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