Mużika Mod Ieħor

Lately I realized that I have been following Toni Sant's Mużika Mod Ieħor series for almost six years, since its inception, ie November 2005. In fact I had started blogging after following a number of blogs one of which was Toni's. Out of curiosity I went back to listening to the first few podcasts and loved that deja-vu feeling. I can still remember George Carlin in the the first edition kicking off the series

For those of you that don't know what Mużika Mod Ieħor is, or know  but have never listened to an edition, MMI is a series of 

podcasts featuring music from performers in or from Malta. It has been running regularly on a weekly basis since Saturday 19 November 2005. Each podcast normally features a varied selection of four or five tracks. From time to time there are also special editions featuring either fewer tracks or tracks clustered around a very specific theme.

To date, there are 272 editions and i have rarely missed an episode. I find the regularity and continuity of the series quite impressive. These podcasts, not only give you more than just a glimpse of what's happening in the local music scene but as a project, the collectivity of the individual editions, they are a work of art. As Toni himself would put it, a work in durational art. 

Wish list?

Its already wednesday and i did not even start half of the things i wanted to finish this week, let alone finish them off. Too many appointments, too many errands, too many activities. Talking about activities, for those of you who are into design, do not forget to pay a visit to the Malta Design Week. Regrettably, I did not make it to any of the activities yet, but (hopefully) i wish to make up for it in the coming days.

Another activity I would like to attend to is the One Night Stand with the Big Band Brothers. The Big Band Brothers known for their unique brand of musical mayhem, are back. For the second year running, Daniel Cauchi and his motley crew of musicians shall be returning to the Mediterranean Conference centre on the 8th of October 2011 and shall be putting up a show entirely conceived and produced by the band named ‘A One Night Stand with the Big Band Brothers.’I happen to know one of the members so its an extra reason to go. 

Spirtupront

David Paquette and Rupert Cefai - photo Jennifer Scicluna

So Spirtupront is over, 3 enjoyable and unforgettable nights with friend and musician David Paquette.  It was one intensive learning experience.

I have known David for the last couple of years and we had been discussing this event for quite a number of months now. It was his idea really and I immediately latched on to it. While I'm painting I always have music on, but having a brilliant musician playing live in front of you is a completely different experience. Having people walking around you while working adds on to the magic of it all. 

During the first session, on Thursday, it was very easy to follow the music, play with moods and be inspired by what is happening. But as time went by, from mid 2nd day onwards, the paintings started to get a life of their own and then they took over. The music became a reminder of the things I already started. Thinking about it I realised that this always happens with my paintings. At a certain stage in their development they get a life of their own and I can only follow their own path. Its like with children, you can encourage them to take a certain direction, but ultimately they will decide what to become. 

David Paquette and Rupert Cefai - photo of Jennifer Scicluna

I have started 4 paintings during these days, 3 of which are quite at an advanced stage. I shall be finishing them off in these couple of days and take them back to the Phoenicia and exhibit them there.