18 February 2015 (released)
18 February 2015
Interview
Name?: Matthew Mercieca
Home town/city?: Msida
Nickname/ How did that come about?: Muxu, My aunt always gave us nicknames when we were younger, and cause of my blonde curly hair and big eyes, she always called me Muxu. Then when I was in London, and about to release my first song “Beat My Drum” my teachers in London said
Matthew Mercieca : Beat My Drum. Does not sound right , so they asked me if I have any nicknames, and I told them about it , they decided it's perfect!
Favourite Sports/Team?:
Not really into sports, but my dad was a huge liverpool supporter , my mum is a big Arsenal supporter and Manchester united where always their main competition so I have always been a united fan! and England supporter when it comes to world cup.
Favourite Food/Restaurant?:
A nice piece of steak is always my favourite, but I love Debbie’s Cafe in Mellieha right now, the food is incredible!
Can you remember the very first song you sang, and the first you wrote?:
I think the first song I ever sang on stage solo was “where is love” from Oliver Twist. but my mum remembers me singing the Whitney Houston version of “I will always love you” from when i was still in my nappy.
When and how did it all start for you in music?: I had been training ever since I was 4, but my career started after coming back from London ,where I got my diploma in Music. When I came back from London at 17 I released my first single “Beat My Drum” and the song went to number 1 in just two weeks, and that’s where the journey began.
You have had success both as an artist and more recently as a writer. Which is closer to your heart?:
Both mean so much to me, I can never choose. They are two different things that bring me so much joy, and I’m lucky enough that I don’t have to choose and I am able to do both.
You started out as a successful singer/songwriter, and quickly developed into a formidable writer. Can you share your most memorable moments from both fields? : As a singer, the most incredible moment has to be when I won “Best Solo Artist” award at the Bay Music awards,I had always gone to the
BMAS from a young age, and then to finally win an award was something that meant a lot to me. As a songwriter I think it has to be when Gaia won the Junior Eurovision! we made history and that feeling was incredible! Winning with Amber this year is a very close second as “Warrior” is a song that is very close to my heart.
Any comical incident/s you can share whilst performing?:
Nothing super funny as a singer, but I remember when i was younger, we were doing this play, and I had to play a part of a waiter for one of the sections, and they told us today the president and prime minister where coming to watch us, I walked out on stage and ended up dropping the tray that was full of glasses,and they all broke. I remember going red and not knowing what to do, thank god some of the older actors had helped me out.
Since teaming up with Elton Zarb and Gillian Attard you have become a household name! What has been the key to this winning team?
Elton & Gillian are two people I love and respect from the bottom of my heart! The key to this team is hard work and love! We all love what we do so much, and when we work with an artist we all have one thing in mind what is best for the artist! We work hard to always achieve the best results possible.
What do you think about the music industry in Malta? :
Though I do feel that there is room for improvement , I see a big difference from when I first started out to now! it takes a couple of brave people to try do something different and try keep the level high, and I want to try my hardest to break limits and give my all to help out in this industry so that artists of the future will have even more opportunities then I did.
You have worked with a lot of artists, can we tempt you to name your favourite?
That is impossible I’ve learned something from every artist I work with, whether its musically or personally , I have a respect for each and every artist in different ways. I’m so lucky to be surrounded by so much talent, and so grateful that so many artists come to me for help.
What are your top 3 ‘things to do’ on your bucket list?:
1: Win a grammy award, for a song I wrote which became a hit worldwide ( this has always been the dream)
2: Travel the world, and learn about the different music of the world, write a song in each country.
3: Win an adult Eurovision and bring the Eurovision to our home Malta.
Can you send a message to our readers please?:
Thank you for supporting me as both a singer and songwriter, I promise I will keep working as hard as I can to keep creating music. and to anyone who has a dream to do something in music as we said in Federica’s song “Diamonds” : “No dream is out of reach , if you just BELIEVE “
Music News Malta Editor -- Joseph Portelli
