‘It Feels Like Home’ – Shaun Farrugia Insisted On Bringing Together A Maltese Band For Upcoming Shows
Singer and song-writer Shaun Farrugia – who will be performing at Rock the Fort, and some yet to be announced shows in Malta – has made a concerted effort to bring together a band made up of talented Maltese artists for upcoming shows in London and internationally.
“I’m a big believer in supporting local talent, something which I’ve seen is needed more,” Shaun said to Lovin Malta.
“So I told myself, ‘Shaun, stop talking about it and start trying to do your little bit to help’.”
This year’s Lovin Malta SMA Best Export winner is doing his “little bit to help” – in the form of taking a trip down to Malta in April, to assemble a band of Maltese musicians.
Thanks to the London-based musician pushing for their inclusion, they have been given the opportunity to perform give live performances across international stages – as well as spend studio sessions recording alongside Farrugia.
“We have the aspect of singing live, and obviously recording. I’m so comfortable recording,” said Farrugia, “I feel like I’m a studio baby. I have no problem being in the studio… but singing live – that’s a bit of another story”.
“I often feel a bit nervous about it – but now with a full Maltese band, I feel so comfortable.”
Shaun told Lovin Malta – after starting the call by asking if we’ve been following the outset of Love Island Malta (we have) – that he came to Malta in April and organised “the most wholesome Maltese audition session, in a friend’s garage”.
“We managed to assemble a band and I’m really excited about them, I love them.”
The band is made up of Aleandro Spiter Monsigneur, Shaun Abdilla, Martin Caruana and Daniel Micallef.
He hadn’t played with most of his new band-members before – with one exception, Daniel Micallef.
“Our story is really sweet. When I started out trying to write songs about six years ago, he was kind enough to help me record guitars on Logic and GarageBand.”
“Now that I have the opportunity to start spreading the love, I asked him to join my band. That’s a real 360 moment, he helped me at the start of my career, and now he’s joining me in my career as I’m discovering the world as an artist.”
“The talent in Malta is endless. Imagine people in Malta had the opportunities to show their talent more. It would be incredible.”
Farrugia has a lot of exciting upcoming opportunities – ranging from shows in the UK and internationally, to more releases with huge artists – and is using his platform to promote Maltese talent, and give back to the country he feels has given him so much.
“I genuinely, genuinely can’t wait to play in Malta. I feel like Malta’s been one of my biggest supporters and I haven’t even done a couple of shows there yet.”
“Now with a full Maltese band, I feel so comfortable. I have people who know and recognise me. They’re Maltese. I can’t really explain it. I’ve worked with talent all over the world, but there’s something about a Maltese band….”
“They live five minutes from my house in Malta, it feels like there’s something… it feels like home.”
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