Bridging different worlds through SoundArt Malta – In conversation with Michael Spiteri
SoundArt Festival Malta is happening tonight – or at least it is if you’re reading this post on the day I published it, which is today. I’m stoked about this because I’ll finally be hitting the stage with my noise rock/hardcore band DALAM – and we’ll be sharing the stage with grungy stoner rock outfit A Broken Design, alternative metal band From Sheep to Wolves, and the most maternal progressive metal band I can think of, Mother of Millions, all the way from Greece.
If you’ve read up to this point (and by God, I hope you have, it’s only been a paragraph), then you’ve probably surmised that SoundArt Malta is generally focused on the weirder, more experimental end of the rock and metal scene. But there’s a lot more to it than that. The Maltese version of the festival is an offshoot of the original SoundArt Festival in Romania which has hosted a slew of great bands in the past, including Maltese exports Lady Lizard and Krishna.
Fun fact – my other band Eyes to Argus was meant to play SoundArt in Romania in 2020 alongside bands such as Green Carnation and Truckfighters! Alas, it wasn’t meant to be for reasons that don’t take much imagination to arrive at.
I spoke to Michael Spiteri, who organizes SoundArt Malta alongside fellow Spiteri Annemarie – and who is also a beefcake bass player in Viper Soup Complex and Geistmaschine – about this year’s edition and the future of the festival.
Read what he had to say below, and see you tonight! DALAM is the first band and we’re on at 9 pm sharp.
Can you tell us about the origins of SoundArt Malta? How did it come to be an offshoot of the original SoundArt festival in Romania?
Michael: The origin of SoundArt Malta is largely attributed to the connection made between Annemarie and me with the organizers of SoundArt Romania, following our experience as musicians with Viper Soup Complex. We had a great experience at the venue named Quantic (Bucharest), we performed with Riverside on the day. Following some conversations with Mihnea Badea and Olivia Ignatescu (the organizers and promoters of SoundArt), it was decided to start an offshoot event under the same name. Primarily, it was the amalgamation of music and art that caught our imagination and we felt that our local scene would make good use of it.
To what extent does SoundArt Malta's ethos and mission align with the original SoundArt festival? Do you have the flexibility to develop your own unique vision and mission for the Maltese edition?
Michael: At first, the event started as a copy of the Romania event. We also wanted to test the waters and see how this small festival will manage the acquisition of good quality foreign bands with a distinct identity while integrating with the local talent we showcase. Moreover, so far, as a primary goal, SoundArt Malta is serving as a necessary platform to perform abroad at SoundArt Romania. However, starting next year, we’re going to introduce further changes that will broaden the scope of SoundArt Malta in and of itself.
Malta isn't lacking in music festivals, including festivals that have niche focuses in the world of metal and otherwise heavy music. What is your point of differentiation from other festivals that, at a glance, seem to be inhabiting a similar space?
Michael: Good question! Following my reply to the second question, we saw that the space we’re providing must be improved. Through this necessary condition, we’re seeing the need to improve and cultivate a distinct identity.
What is the curation process like for each edition of SoundArt Malta? How do you approach selecting both local and international acts?"
Michael: Through SoundArt Romania, we receive a list of available foreign acts that are interested in performing in Malta. Once the initial process of expenditures is done, we try to bring a different type of act from the years prior. This means that following last year’s Deus Culpa and Grande Fox acts, which were more into hard rock, this year we’re bringing a different flavor through Mother Of Millions who provide a more progressive metal edge. Following the choice of the foreign band/s, we’ll start contacting local bands who, in our opinion, will provide a sound that is complimentary to the foreign acts.
This year's festival in particular is branching out to exhibit artists across various media, including visual artists and miniature figure painters. Why was this important for the festival?
Michael: The purpose of SoundArt doesn’t start and finish with the music. We appreciate all forms of media and look forward to contributing to different artists who express themselves through different mediums. While we’re aware that this bridging isn’t exclusive to SoundArt, in practical terms, it’s always a good idea to bridge different worlds. We enjoy seeing the interactions made by musicians and other artists as we believe that they can pique each other’s interests and also create a sense of curiosity and awareness about other artists who may not necessarily be on the radar of the medium one uses.
Looking ahead, how do you envision SoundArt Malta evolving over the next few editions? Are there any specific goals or areas of growth you're aiming for?
Michael: As hinted earlier, we’re looking forward to collaborating with other types of musicians who are not only from the rock/metal camp. We will also open up a space where new/upcoming musicians can showcase their original material. There are a lot of young musicians who deserve to be given all the recognition possible (exposure and monetary). More information will be posted on our socials in the upcoming weeks.