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by di-ve.com Saturday, 11 Septmber, 2004 A few days ago, Queen of Pop, Madonna, paid a short visit at the Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital in London. She was entertained by a girl who sang an impromptu song for her. It was this year's Maltese Eurovision entry "On Again...Off Again!". Madonna's daughter Lourdes read from her mother's latest children's book, Yakov and the Seven Thieves, at its official launch at Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital on 25 August. Lola read to a captivated audience of young patients and staff in the Hospital's school, before she joined her mother for a visit to several wards. It was then that a girl jumped up from the audience and started singing "On Again...Off Again" for them. "On Again...Off Again!" was performed by Julie & Ludwig and represented Malta at this year's Eurovision Song Contest. It reached the finals and ended 12th.

by Mauro Calleja Friday, 10 September, 2004 As expected and long awaited Lars Klein will be in Malta on 9th October courtesy of Hysteric Maniacs. Born in Dortmund (in the huge industrial Ruhr area), Lars Klein soon became infected with electronic music when he first listened to the vinyls of Jean-Michel Jarre. In the Mid-80s, he got in touch with House music and it was labels such as "DJ International" and "Trax" who left their deepest traces with their impelling and propulsive electronic sounds without any vocal knick-kack whatsoever. Equipped with turntables and a tape deck, he began to produce a series of amateur mix tapes which his friends and mates received with much enthusiasm. In the early 90s, he had his first DJ bookings which marked that Lars was set for his musical career. In 1994 he had assembled his first studio equipment, and he immediately began to work hard at developing his production skills. In December 1995, a breakthrough in his Djing was achieved when Lars was booked for an extensive DJ Tour in Lithuania and throughout Germany. In 1999, Lars started working for an important record store in Dortmund, which strengthened his already existing contact with the former A&R of Fine Audio Recordings and Compressed Records. This contact lead to his first official 12" vinyl on Compressed Records which was released in September 1999. Further releases on FINE AUDIO and other labels such as BOUND and COMPRESSED were soon to follow. Now Lars is a much requested DJ worldwide. In March 2004 he established his imprint "LK Records". Pounding stuff to be expected. Please don't hesitate to send your feedback and comments on [email protected] First of all don't forget tomorrow the return of Spacid at Liquid, courtesy of Squadron. Date for the Hysteric Maniacs event is 9 October at Liquid at Lm5.50. Main room for the night hosted by Hysteric Maniacs themselves is as follows: Adrian V, Duo Blank, JD Frank, Teksurgeons, Lars Klein (2hrs), Madame Mandy & Steve Zina, & finally Reuben Lee (live) expect hard pounding techno! The second room hosted by Overview will consist of Manthrax, Daniel Jose', D-Traum, A-I, Junior B And Danjeli Vs Treble Maker (Live).

by di-ve.com Thursday, 09 September, 2004 RIVERSTOWN, a quiet, little Irish town, with this beautiful river bisecting it...not quite the issue here, but more of an inspiration. An acoustic flow of music with the whole feel of grunge, rock, and also ballad songs. Errol, Alistair, Johann and Dru, all hailing from different styles and influences of music, have formed this line-up to amalgamate all these sounds into one whole matter -- RIVERSTOWN! Live every Thursday at Coconut Grove, Paceville starting 22:30 and Sundays at Signals, National Pool Complex, Tal-Qroqq, starting around 19:00, these guys move and fill the crowds with their representation of The Doors, Guns N Roses, Pearl Jam, Pink Floyd, Nirvana and many others, whilst of course playing their own original songs... Riverstown are Errol on vocals/guitar, Alistair and Johann on guitars and Dru on percussions...DEFINITELY NOT TO MISS!!!!

by Mauro Calleja Linda Lamb Friday, 03 September, 2004 They pledged their loyalty once again. Hades Events are back with another unique experience everybody should be looking forward to. After last March Vitalic's event and the Official Tribu Afterhours at Tattingers, Saturday 16th October 2004 marks the event featuring two chic performances, one being live, the other a three hour DJ set. Coming all the way from New York, Linda Lamb (Citizen Records/International Deejay Gigolo/New York) promises a unique and a premiere live act for the local clubbers. Together with traditional live equipment and her beautiful voice (probably the most bizarre and hugely enjoyable vocal you ever heard on a Gigolo record), she will also be performing on an electronic piano and with an electric guitar to blow up our minds. Actually she's pure throbbing sexiness rocking the dancefloor. Producer of the legendary electroclash tune "Hot Room", she also forms part of The Silures (Vitalic and Linda Lamb Live Project). Her productions had been remixed by DJs like Tiga and often played by the legendary DJ Hell. A 3-hour DJ Set will be performed by Lab Insect (Elektrofon/Muller/Space Factory/Paris), one of France's finest Electro and Techno producers who started his career at the tender age of 11 years. Acid House burned down his uncertainty for music tastes. During his career he had various collaborations with artists like Richard Bartz, Savas Pascalidis and his productions had been played by artists like Laurent Garnier, Sven Vath, Dave Clarke and David Carretta. Lab Insect is promising one of the finest DJ sets ever going all the way from electro to techno. Please don't hesitate to send your feedback and comments on [email protected] Line up for the night includes in the Main Room: J.D.Frank, Auralbots (Live), Junior B, Linda Lamb (Live) and Lab Insect (3 hr set) plus the Digital Room featuring: Adrian V, A.I., Interface, Darin and D.Drucker. Official HadesEvents site: www.hadeseventsmalta.com Tomorrow don't forget also for the fans of electro and breaks at Strings Volume featuring Interface, Clint, Pat669, Synth-ethic & J (House of 13)!

by di-ve.com In aid of Razzett tal-Hbiberija Thursday, September 02, 2004 A BIG concert is on!! Razzett tal-Hbiberija will be organising a Rock Concert on Sunday 12th September - 'ROCK AID'. This concert will take place at the Razzett Carpark. All the profits generated through entrance / bars / food stalls will be contributed towards the MULTISENSORY PROJECT, which we are currently building at a cost of Lm150,000. This additional service which will be provided to persons with a disability for free at Razzett tal-Hbiberija will generate pleasurable sensory experiences in an atmosphere of trust and relaxation, stimulating the primary senses without the need for intellectual activity. SCAR, SIGO, DRIPHT, HANDSTAND, LORD ADDER, BITTERSIDE, HIDDENSUN, THE MYTH, STILAIR & SUBCULTURE are amongst the local bands who will be performing live. In total over 6hrs of live performances will be viewed by all the attendees. The concert will start at 3pm and finish at 11pm. In a few words: 'this concert is a get together of the most popular local bands of this year, who will exhibit their music talents for a good cause!' Tickets are currently being sold from Razzett tal-Hbiberija by phoning the ticket hotline number: 21636533 or by e-mail: [email protected] . Each ticket costs Lm4.00 and in order to add value to the first buyers we are giving out for FREE a compilation CD, which includes recent singles of the bands performing for the event to the first 500 ticket holders. We urge you to be there; ENJOY LIVE MUSIC and AID OUR CAUSE !!!

by di-ve.com Wednesday, 01 September, 2004 For the second time FABRIZIO FANIELLO went into the sales charts abroad!!! Only a few weeks after SONY MUSIC has signed FABRIZIO for Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, Switzerland & France, his new single I'M IN LOVE (the whistle Hit) went into the official Belgian Sales Charts onto # 63 while in the Wallonie Charts (regional) the single is at # 36 !!!! Because the song is play listed in a lot of mayor radio-stations in the country and because the track is already # 11 on the tip list for the Vlaanderen Charts (regional), - SONY Music expects that the song will go much higher in the Belgian Sales Charts. Like Fabrizio and his manager Manfred Holz already mentioned in their press-release and launching of the song in Malta on the 22nd of July, the reactions of the Belgian Media has been promising from the start, and only 4 weeks after the release -- the song has reached the official sales charts, - a great success for a Maltese artist !! FABRIZIO has been for promotion and interviews in Stockholm (Sweden), Copenhagen (Denmark) and Rome (Italy) since July and is "very happy" about the results so far and specially enjoyed a lot his performance at the STOCKHOLM PRIDE FESTIVAL where he played with his band in front of 10.000 people beside a lot of other well known artists like Greek Superstar SAKIS ROUVAS and top Swedish band ALCAZAR. (Please find two pictures attached). FABRIZIO will be abroad from time to time in the next weeks, as SONY Music is preparing now the release of his single in Germany and France and is looking forward to get as much promotion as possible for FABRIZIO, so that there will be more positive news about making Maltese artists and music successful abroad !

by Mauro Calleja Tuesday, 31 August, 2004 After last years' sold out event Roger is Back. It's all happening on Wednesday 8th September at Buskett Roadhouse. Exit are proud to present exclusively again The Worlds Most Wanted DJ again in Malta Roger Sanchez American House titan, chart topping producer and honorary Ibizian can be summed up by all of the above but as for now his catch-all sobriquet Roger "S MAN" Sanchez should read as level billing with his other moniker Roger "Release Yourself" Sanchez. Right now Sanchez is all about Release Yourself. It's also the name of his weekly radio show, which has now been syndicated all over America, UK and Europe and currently reaches millions every week. " I do it every week and I programme everything. It's hard work but I Love it " Sanchez. He's currently working on the follow up to his debut album 2001 First Contact his Single Another Chance was a huge club and MTV hit and reached the coveted number one spot in July 2001. "I'm getting the music roughed out" he says "and it's coming together organically. Kelis and I have been talking about doing something for a while she has a unique lyrical approach. A bit nuts but loyal person". That might be so but whilst Sanchez' hat of choice is clearly Kangol, what does he favour for shades? " I'm not a one-shade man " he says with a smile. " I bounce around. Got some great Gucci, Dior and Chanel but I've also got a wicked pair for $25 shades I got in a cheap store. There is always room to try something different" As with shades, so with life Roger Sanchez might still be, to paraphrase his Blade sound-tracking hit wrecking the discoteck, but he's definitely ringing the changes too. Release yourself -- and that's an order! Please don't hesitate to send your feedback and comments on [email protected] Limited Tickets (only 2000 available) in stores now at ONLY LM 5.95 Check out www.exitmalta.com for more info. VIP Tickets -- SOLD OUT

by di-ve.com Buy the CD online from di-veshop! See below Saturday, 28 August, 2004 Every now and then a mysterious act whose previous output promised originality and fun pops out of obscurity and apparent hibernation to steal the limelight once again -- such an act would be Spooky Monkey. If their earlier work bent your mind, then their latest effort should blow it. Having broadened their musical scope considerably, Spooky Monkey have come up with the endearingly titled 'Scaremongering Project' - a collection of brooding electronic and acoustic pieces with a more up-tempo trajectory designed for the dance floor, though not in any traditional sense. This is sublime, inspirational music; a soundtrack to a somewhat schizophrenic narrative written by Anton Bonnici of scaremongering.net, who based his writing on art supplied by his fellow scaremongering members whilst instilling his now signature writing touch. It starts off uncompromisingly, with a hellish ambience which gives way to some goofy englishman's voice mouthing off cynical phrases. Then rather intrusively, the acutely contagious 'jolly good day' comes barging in, with its catchy hooks and head bobbing bass lines. As well as injecting as much warmth into electronic music as is humanly possible, 'Distant' features Mary-Claire's seductive voice atop a multilayered soundtrack to some unknown, sunny exotic beach. 'Jolly Good Dub', the album's centrepiece is Spooky Monkey's dubwise experiment, one hell of an infectious track, providing mood, texture and fun, a three hit combo just where it belongs. By the time 'Once Upon a Theme' floats by, it is increasingly apparent that these guys know no boundaries, with its forlorn appeal and highly evocative piano mullings wistfully encapsulating the listener within a meditative miasma. It is then followed by one of the more eclectic tracks on the soundtrack, 'Tri Capita', which comes complete with lush, simple synth lines reminiscent of the Aphex Twin during one of his ambient forays. This provides a soothing backdrop, which is accompanied by discordant riffs intermingled with various other proceedings such as fleeting flute extracts and disorienting electronic beats. These sonic diversions lend a hand to stopping the music from becoming tedious, and the music here bobs and weaves effortlessly with a deep understanding of pace and atmosphere destined to change your mood regardless of setting or time of day, a beautiful and melancholic soundscape with equal measure. There's also intimacy here, on the likes of 'Final Shot' making the listeners feel as if they're eavesdropping on the englishman's reflective monologue. Gooseflesh features a wistful, tinkling piano accompanied by dispersing, mind bending ambient riffs. Scaremongering Project's penultimate track - 'Static Screen' is a track to die for. With its febrile, throbbing electro pop it sets the tone for the final musing. AEIOU is an epic psychedelic number reminiscent of pink floyd's 'echoes' and Krautrock's best offerings, complete with flute musings and a bare to the bones, almost inaudible bassline, the highlight however is the guitar strumming, which at times seems to stem from an instrument being played half a mile away, yet maintains central stage with spontaneous and improvised harmonics. 'Spooky Monkey' now inhabit a sequenced world of boundless possibilities, which has liberated them instead of leading them to the same conclusions as everyone else with a guitar next to a computer. Zicotron and Cornelius display a commanding combination of emotionalism and bombast that's all their own. They've matured into an accomplished, effective and affecting local act. Get Busy Click here to buy CD

by Mauro Calleja Felix the House cat Friday, 27 August, 2004 August 15th marks quite an important date for the dance music fans locally nowadays. So that Sunday, late afternoon I found myself walking deep down in the quarry for Tribu, when I realised that for once it wasn't a pack of sardines cause plenty of adequate space was available. The picturesque venue was great; actually the best ever to happen, not only for a Tribu (as Laidback Luke pointed out enthusiastically) but also in the history of events here in Malta let alone my second ranked favourite place Manoel Island, for one of the Joy events. The main portion of the quarry was dedicated to the house, EU Dutch Presidency and Techno areas cause the new talent and trance/ progressive didn't have that much impact on the people. It was actually the huge main stage that attracted most of the people, where a natural massive split level had space not only for the podium and DJ space but also for a behind-the-scenes-area for VIPs. Carl Cox blew up the main stage with a mostly varied approach to the techno regime but it was a sample of a rave anthem from T99 adapted in his set that cheered me up. Invigorating was also Junior B's warm up set, which as expected through experience adhered to the likes of everyone. The vast fusion of vocals in Miss Roberta's house composed a mostly uplifting and cheerful atmosphere as everybody was waiting for the black cat to purr the decks. Nothing as expected cause it came to me that the first track was more adapted under electro area! I imagined the faces on the people in front of the techno room, as solid breakbeat percussion intro by Felix the house cat progressed into two alternative unexpected remix versions of Boys and Girls by Blur and Pink Floyd's The Wall… really awesome! Approaching the techno area hosted by Fact was always pleasant with a line-up as gorgeous as Mike Wills, Richard Bartz and Terrence Fixmer put together. I enjoyed mostly Mike Wills who on DJ set picked up solid grooves of minimality at its best. The use of 303s in some of the tracks wasn't the usual acid thing, capable to impress. Well, it's an Exit year to tell you the truth and just as you read this review comes also Roger Sanchez back again in Malta for the second time next 8th September but don't forget another celebration of music by Exit will appear also this New Year's eve! Please don't hesitate to send your feedback and comments on [email protected]

If you read the article at the end there is a website link. i modified the post to make the link clickable

by di-ve.com Wednesday, 25 August, 2004 Local act Lumiere will be performing on the 27th of August at an alternative music night at Rookies Bar, Bugibba. The band will be showcasing a number of new songs as well as old numbers and, of course, the obligatory (Sir) Cliff Richards medley. Formed towards the end of 2000, the 5 piece have slowly but surely made a name for themselves on the alternative circuit. Their first 2 releases Quirks and State of Grace received considerable local airplay and were also included on the Austrian compilation CD Band:Union IV. Their later recordings exposed a more dissonant approach to song writing and this has since become their trademark sound. Reluctant to be pigeon-holed the band would rather call upon a number of influencing factors to help define their music - these would invariable include Sonic Youth, Joy Division and fenkatas at the Pilot and Vicky (Mgarr). Their website has recently received a thorough face lift and the public is encouraged to pay it a visit www.lumieremusic.com

Thanks. I will be posting music news relating to maltese local music scene, since they are very good, but lack exposure. For info: Malta is a small island in the med sea, 90 miles south of Italy. For more info visit www.visitmalta.com btw, i have a blog at http://pmusu.blogspot.com it contains info about various topics including sailing which is one of my hobbies, but also about other things. I think Beatking is a good site and is more appropriate to post here than at Zeropaid, as regards promoting local talent.

So long 'Babycakes' we hardly knew ye. That may not actually be a bad thing given that the damn record has been stuck inside my head for the last three days - but then again isn't that the sign of a really good pop record. Or mabe this is the sign of a really good pop record. A second single from a new artist, one which is being highly acclaimed as one of the best singles of the summer and whose arrival at the Number One position will be almost universally welcomed. Such is the fate that befalls Natasha Bedingfield's 'These Words', the followup to her debut hit 'Single' which made Number 3 back in May. The two place improvement chalked up by this new hit follows weeks of promotion which have helped to label her as the hottest sex symbol around, a young lazy oozing with talent, who has a hand in penning her own songs and who has most definitely become a star on her own merits rather than hanging on the shirt tails of her brother (which you have to admit was a suspicion at first). 'These Words' is no cheesy pop track either, a thoroughly uplifting song whose appeal is obvious from the moment you first here it. Indeed the only negative emotion generated is the desire to shoot the person who believed that the world "hyperbole" is pronounced "hyper-bowl". When you hear that bit of the song, it is OK to snigger. The second biggest new hit of the week is from a group who appear to finally be living up to the hype. Goldie Lookin Chain break all manner of rap stereotypes simply by not being either American or from South London. Instead the lads all hail from the Welsh valleys and bring to the scene a freshness and a lyrical turn that has made people sit up and pay attention. They had a slow start to their chart career, debut hit 'Half Man Half Machine' made an understated Number 32 back in May. With this second hit, replete with tongue in cheeky lyrics they have a veritable smash hit on their hands. I don't think there are many people who will feel this is not deserved. The Number 6 position marks the direct chart debut of one of the veterans of the club scene. Stonebridge began his career back in the 1980s and by the turn of the decade was a well regarded remixer, remixing tracks for the likes of Rozalla and Robin S. He scored with the occasional production as well - early 90s club hits such as House Of Virginism bearing his name. He finally makes a chart debut under his own name thanks to his position as the resident DJ with Hed Kandi which carried with it the chance to make music on their label as well. 'Put Em High' features a vocal from Swedish star Therese and after the requisite tour of European clubs is well placed to become a late summer smash hit. The track itself is a grower, with a thundering bassline into which Therese's vocals dovetail nicely. Odds are you've heard this in the past few weeks without even realising what it is. At Number 10 is hit single four for Keane who have elevated themselves to being one of the discoveries of the year thanks to an album stuffed with tunes that all sound like the bastard child of Radiohead and Coldplay. 'Bedshaped' doesn't quite set the charts alight but this single release is for completists only really, the appeal of Top 5 hits 'Somewhere Only We Know' and 'Everybody's Changing' has been enough to make the album one of the biggest sellers of the year. They will be happy with a third Top 10 hit in a row. The second hit for Kristian Leontiou slides into the chart at Number 13, four places below the June peak of his debut 'Story Of My Life'. I suspect as a pop artist he is set to struggle to manage any bigger hits, his image doesn't exactly result in him being a teen sex symbol and yet his hits are just a little too pop-orientated for him to become an artist with adult appeal. 'Shining' actually could have done with being released a few months ago, having appeared on the soundtrack of the film 'Win A Date With Tad Hamilton' which hit cinemas earlier in the spring. Whilst a film tie-in isn't always a route to a big hit (especially when the film itself is rather a smash) it can be a neat marketing hook - just the kind of thing that Leontiou rather seems to lack at present. Captain cock-up came visiting at the office of Franz Ferdinand's label this week when they inadvertently released new single 'Michael' in a chart ineligible format. The single came on two different CD formats you see, but both versions of the single had three tracks - in violation of the rule that says one of the CD formats has to be a tradition "single" package with just an a-side and a b-side. Cue lots of red faces and a quick withdrawal from sale of the second CD whose sales from earlier this week will thus have not counted towards the chart position of their third hit. Did it make a difference? Well there is no doubting that 'Michael' has performed slightly worse than their previous hits (both of which were Top 10). Then again they are in the same boat as Keane, anyone who cares will probably have the album already. Still, Keane managed a third Top 10 hit with their single, Franz Ferdinand are languishing slightly further down the chart than you would have expected. Down among the also-rans we have a new hit for ATL at Number 21, their second hit of the year following on from 'Calling All Girls' which hit Number 12 back in May. A former Number One hitmaker lands at Number 25, veteran rapper LL Cool J with his first hit single since he made a guest appearance alongside Jennifer Lopez on 'All I Have' in March 2003. His last hit under his own steam came just a month earlier than that, 'Paradise' hitting Number 18. Impressively 'Headsprung' is now his 19th chart hit, his Number One triumph coming back in 1997 when a cover of 'Ain't Nobody' made an unexpected debut at the top. Finally one of the more curious new entries of the week is right at the end of the Top 40. In at Number 40 itself are Soda Club, Euro-cheese remake experts of this parish. Their big hits came at the end of 2002 and the start of 2003 with cheesy club remakes of 'Take My Breath Away' and 'Heaven Is A Place On Earth'. Their return to the Top 40 after well over a year away comes thanks to a remake of a track which was first a club smash back in 1993 - Sub Sub and Melanie Williams hitting Number 3 with their version. Sub Sub toured for a while after that one and only hit before one day having their gear stolen. They subsequently decided to buy some proper instruments and became Doves, this process culminating in a Number One album 'The Last Broadcast' back in 2002.

by di-ve.com Wednesday, 25 August, 2004 Particle Blue's distinctive sound, described as 'hybrid electro-pop', is the combined creative effort of Antoine Vella and Claire Tonna. 2004 has been a very busy year for the duo, as momentum has been building up for the release of the 12-track debut album by the name of 'Generation Hope'. The album's official launch Party will take place at Poxx Bar (St.George's Bay, St. Julian's) on Thursday, 26th August 2004 at 9.00pm. Preparations have long been underway as Particle Blue have vowed to entertain the crowd with a Live PA featuring local artists Mario from Lumiere and Martha, in addition to fresh compositions and club extended versions of signature tunes such as 'Weekend'. A host of attractions such as fire poi and guest DJs Woody Aki, Re-volt and Joshua will follow. The CD album includes an interactive datatrack and will be available for purchase on the night. It can also be obtained on-line. Over the last few months the duo has enjoyed considerable public and press exposure and their flexible electronic compositions combined with soulful vocals and lyrics, have been attracting varied audiences. Particle Blue have performed exclusively and alongside local bands at a number of venues including the Castille Wine Vaults, the World Peace March, Cilantro, Sinners ?n' Heaven and Pips Club. More information can be found on the duo's official website at www.particleblue.com and for exclusive pics of the band go to www.alternativemalta.com