Tomorrow evening, to celebrate the launch of a new album of original Maltese music Tfal tax-Xemx by Michael Azzopardi on streaming platforms, there is a special live performance at Spazju Kreattiv, featuring the children’s choir that brings the album to life.
Written in Maltese, and funded by Arts Council Malta, the ten songs consider the question How does our shared past shape who we become, and can we rise above it?
“Whilst exploring ideas of renewal—of the environment around us, and also personal renewal through grief, regret, heartache, and the fears that come with the passing of time, the children’s choir became the voice of hope and possibility, a steady companion through the album’s 35-minute journey,” says writer, composer and producer Azzopardi.
“Working with children was a constant series of surprises and learning curves. They naturally brought a sense of fun and freedom to the process, without getting tangled in self-image and expectations. This brought a rawness and authenticity to the sound,” he continues.
“I’d wanted to push the meaning of “Tfal” (Children) with this album and present the idea that we are all, in some way, children—regardless of our age. Working across generations felt like a natural way to reflect this. “The youngest singer from the Malta National Choir involved in the project is just 8 years old, and having a wide range of ages mirrors how we exist in the world: learning from each other, growing alongside one another, much like a community.”
“However, working with children also presented challenges. “Deadlines and timelines don’t easily translate into the world of children,” Azzopardi smiles, “and we had to be flexible, patient, and find a rhythm that worked for everyone! I hope the experience is something they will carry with them—that it inspires and encourages their creativity in the future.”
Azzopardi’s own band is made up of musicians from different local bands, each of which brough their own unique style.
“Since Tfal tax-Xemx blends a variety of genres, it felt natural to bring together artists from diverse musical backgrounds. This diversity adds character to our live shows,” Azzopardi continues. “Samwel Mallia, who plays bass, is part of the prog-rock band Eyes to Argus. Jimmy Bartolo, on lead guitar, and his brother John J. Bartolo, on drums, are both members of Brikkuni, and Samwel Attard, who plays keyboards, is a member of Brodu and Eyes to Argus,” he explains.
“Jimmy and I have an ongoing creative partnership—he worked with me on my first EP, Pistola (2021) and debut album Vaganza (2023). He was alsomy primary collaborator on this project: he produced the record and played a key role in shaping its sound. He also contributed guitar, bass, and keyboards on much of the album. With Tfal tax-Xemx, we challenged ourselves to experiment and move on from our previous work, exploring new sounds and approaches.”
“This project also features contributions from members of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, who played violin, flute, and trumpet on several tracks. Composer Veronique Vella crafted some of the arrangements and played keys on a number of songs. Mixing the sounds of professional musicians with a children’s choir and our own instrumentation was a balancing act, but it was these crossovers that led to the most unexpected results.”
“This music builds on the influences of other songwriters, but it also departs into its own direction. My aim was to write music and lyrics in a way that isn’t tied to anything else happening in the local music scene. I believe that’s the best way to offer something different that evolves from album to album.”
Excitingly, on Tfal tax-Xemx, Azzopardi has also included an Indian singer Jomy Thotekat James who isn’t yet known here.” Jomy is Indian and arrived in Malta two years ago,” adds Azzopardi. “He works as a postman. When I heard him sing—thanks to my friend Mark Abela (Zizza of Brodu) who shared some WhatsApp voice clips of Jomy’s recordings—I was awestruck. He has a beautiful voice, often singing hymns in both his native language and in Maltese. For me, Jomy represents the ever-changing nature of our region, which is a core theme in these songs.”
“I made this album because, as an artist, I want to write and sing about subjects that I find intriguing, worrying, and important. Music, for me, is a way to process those feelings and share them in a way that connects with others. This album is a reflection of that process, and I’m excited to know that it’s just the beginning of where these ideas can go. because I can’t wait to keep writing and use it as a springboard for my next music.”
The creation of Tfal tax-Xemx was supported by Arts Council Malta and Camilleri Preziosi Advocates, and facilitated by Spazju Kreattiv. With geometric forms, natural motifs, and Mediterranean references, the cover artwork was designed by Steven Scicluna who is based in Valencia, Spain, and the music is being released on Maltese music label Ultralow Music.
