WATCH: Maltese Band Join American Live Sessions’ Hall Of Fame As They Tour The US
Maltese DIY band Bark Bark Disco have really taken things into overdrive with their latest album. Their newest compilation, Holy Smokes, was released on Minty Fresh Records, the same record label who released legendary Swedish band The Cardigans. As if that wasn’t enough, they’ve gone on an extensive North American tour to promote their music and fly the red and white.
The trio’s tour kicked off earlier this March when they played a set of gigs in Wisconsin, Illinois and California. It’s an extensive 13-gig tour, complete with TV show appearances and the big tour bus treatment. Now approaching the last leg of the tour, Bark Bark Disco’s Wednesday was spent performing for a very special audience.
When in Iowa on Wednesday, the band was asked to play at the Day Trotter Sessions, a very popular series of online performances which has seen the likes of Bon Iver, Black Lips, Wyclef Jean and Tame Impala among so many others.
“It was super amazing to be asked to play Day Trotter,” frontman Ian Schranz told Lovin Malta. “One of the show’s producers heard Song For The Lovers ages ago and he must’ve thought we’re famous worldwide. I wasn’t going to ruin his image of us, so ran with it and they treated us like we were some huge band.”
As expected, the tour has provided the trio with a long list of experiences, some of them as outlandish as you’d expect from a group of young Maltese musicians on the road in the US.
“We managed to get into a secret show by Jonathan Richman, the singer of Modern Lovers,” Ian told Lovin Malta. Very popular in the 1970s and 80s, Modern Lovers still hold a cult following among different generations all over the world.
“We wrote him a note saying we’re friends, and we ended up being invited,” Ian said. “He only played to 100 people, and it felt surreal to be there in the intimate crowd.” So of course, Ian had to squeeze in a sneaky selfie with the legendary performer himself.
Apart from Ian Schranz himself, who shot to national popularity back in the 90s with local giants Beangrowers, Bark Bark Disco also boasts Rebecca Theuma (from Stolen Creep and later Heartsbeatingintime) and Daniel Cassar (from Dripht and nosnownoalps) in its ranks.
“It hasn’t only helped us as musicians, but also as friends,” Ian said. “Rebecca and Daniel are stars, and we’re super tight, now more than ever. We’ve been having laughing fits all month.”
“The response to the tour has been surprising and amazing,” Ian finished.
“So many people have been coming out to the shows, with many staying after our performance to speak to us, buy our merchandise, and even ask for our autographs. It’s all been quite touching actually.”
Bark Bark Disco’s tour comes to an end next week in Wisconsin. After that, they’ll be returning to our (relatively sunnier) island of Malta, no doubt ready to bring the energy and momentum they’ve managed to build up to their friends and fans back home.
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