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to the competition was not an easy decision (what if I don’t do well?<br />
what will the Maltese people think? and so many more questions) - in<br />
the end I thought to myself - this is a very good opportunity and I want<br />
to make the most of it. So I accepted and my biggest task was to learn a<br />
song in Russian - which is very tricky because our accent is thick and theirs<br />
is more like speaking in reverse (at least that is what it sounds like to me).<br />
Originally, 42 countries were participating in this contest and then 21<br />
got to perform at the semi-final (15 of which then made it to the finals)<br />
- Malta was one of them. I performed my original track called Love On<br />
Mars and alongside 14 other countries - we made it to the finals where<br />
I then could perform a song in Russian with an 80 piece orchestra - the<br />
National Belarussian Orchestra. For the 2nd round of the final - I opted for<br />
the Moulin Rouge Version of Your Song by Elton John.<br />
Overall, we were not so lucky with points, as I got penalised for my non-<br />
Russian accent, but I did a lot of contacts and some new ideas for where<br />
we can spread our music - such as the Russian market itself (and the 15<br />
countries that speak it) and Mexico, Cuba and Latin America.<br />
<strong>ST</strong>: The most anticipated events of the festival are, as usual,<br />
international song contests. Can you describe why these are significant<br />
to you and your band?<br />
KC: I think especially after these nine days in Belarus - I continued to<br />
understand how small in numbers we as a nation are - yes we pride<br />
ourselves in being resilient and doing a lot for what little resources we<br />
have - but the truth is - the numbers will never be strong enough in Malta<br />
alone - and therefore it is healthy for a Maltese artist to explore foreign<br />
territories.<br />
<strong>ST</strong>: With regards to the future, can you tell us about the EP with Italian<br />
label?<br />
KC: Four years ago, I was asked to write lyrics for a few Italian artists, but<br />
when I sent my vocals on the track so that the Italians could follow the<br />
pronunciation and melody line, the label thought I should record one of<br />
them. In the meantime two of our collaborations got signed by Dance &<br />
Love (a record label specialised in European Dance Music). Since then I<br />
only produced one track with Maltese DJ Mykill Cini called “Waiting In<br />
The Sun” - however my EP Sweet Chilli is in its final stages and we hope to<br />
be launching very very soon.<br />
<strong>ST</strong>: Why is this so important to you?<br />
KC: Having a label to back you up makes a big difference because<br />
resources such as marketing, market knowledge, radio connections,<br />
world wide digital releases and funding have to be addressed. Having a<br />
label behind you - leaves for more room to focus on what the artist does<br />
best - create.<br />
Having a label behind you - leaves<br />
for more room to focus on what the<br />
artist does best - Create<br />
<strong>ST</strong>: What do the people around you think about your<br />
music career and your sound?<br />
KC: The most common comment I receive is regarding my<br />
showmanship. I think it means "your voice is nothing out of<br />
the ordinary, but you know how to get the crowd going”.<br />
Which I am OK with, but nonetheless improving ones self<br />
is any deficiencies that may be crucial to being the best<br />
version of yourself is a good tool to have, because the fight<br />
towards self-betterment remains. I like to call it being Happy<br />
Discontent. I know I am not the best singer in the world -<br />
but I work on being better than my yesterday self. Generally,<br />
when I work with studios, co-writers and producers - their<br />
comments about my music is generally - catchy, melodic, fun<br />
but also meaningful.<br />
<strong>ST</strong>: Are there any other projects you are currently working<br />
on?<br />
KC: Other than my EP, getting my music in the Russian and<br />
Latin American Market, rehearsing with the band, setting<br />
up solar panels in people’s houses and businesses, and<br />
trying to find to time for my family and girlfriend. I have<br />
just finished the menu for a RistoBar in Valletta. I created a<br />
menu of dishes for them to compliment the style and vibe<br />
of the this place. When I was a kid I wanted to be a chef<br />
and when I passed by GCSEs I went to ITS (Culinary school).<br />
I could not finish my studies due to music being so heavily<br />
present in my life; but I did want to use my cooking skills<br />
(so as not to waste it). I started off by cooking twice a week<br />
on my tv show. Soon after an entrepreneur called me up to<br />
create this menu and two months in, I created a few of my<br />
quircky signature dishes alongside healthy dishes that taste<br />
good (which is so hard to find). <strong>ST</strong><br />
All rights reserved - Copyright 20<strong>18</strong><br />
COVER <strong>ST</strong>ORY INTERVIEW<br />
<strong>ST</strong>: What do you think about the internet as a tool for promoting<br />
yourself and your music?<br />
KC: It is a crucial tool - without which in today’s world - an artist cannot<br />
stay ahead. It has however destroyed sales however. Through Instagram<br />
and Facebook mainly - people see our performances and share, and get<br />
involved, and start following when and where we perform and listen to<br />
music we share.<br />
"Through my music I want to<br />
inspire people, to relate to my fans,<br />
friends and family, and to encourage<br />
people to be themselves"<br />
<strong>ST</strong><br />
7
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