I’m very patriotic when it comes to language, literature, and culture, but not so with music. When it comes to choosing between Malta Eurovision Song Contest and Sanremo, I choose the latter. Just to clarify, by ‘following’ I mean scrolling through the songs on my smartphone, since I neither have a television nor enough patience and time to spend in front of a light emitting box.

For the Ariston Theatre, this year’s concert was a good one because many of the songs that made it to the final stage were somewhat beautiful in their style, melody, or lyrics. Even if initially I didn’t give it too much importance, one of the songs that struck me most was Tango by Tananai, which placed fifth.

After hearing it for several times and watched the music video, I realised that this was a contemporary masterpiece. To put you in context, it speaks of two lovers separated by the war in Ukraine. The music video is made up of a divided screen, with clips of her and their daughter (both refugees in Italy) on the left, and on the right, clips shot by him; an inexperienced soldier, back in Ukraine during their daily video calls.

To some extent it’s a typical Italian love ballad, with statements featuring the desire to return to the day they met and reverse the events so that they won’t be suffering of a love-story lived at a distance. However, there are also a couple of disturbing lines that almost shook me and made me struggle to bring out their real meaning after reading through the lyrics repeatedly. The last lines of the pre-chorus and the opening lines of the chorus are as follow:

Lo so quanto ti manco, ma chissà perché Dio

Ci pesta come un tango e ci fa dire

Amore tra le palazzine a fuoco

La tua voce riconosco …

When I heard “God” and “tango” in such proximity, a repressed memory from my secondary school years came to the fore: the stupid song called ‘Lord of the Dance’ which we sang during mass and which I hated wholeheartedly. Moreover, it’s quite weird to imagine God dancing tango, being a Trinity and not a couple (apologies for the blasphemy). But what’s most harsh about these few words is that it’s as if God is trampling on them like in a tango dance because of this horrendous experience they’re going through, and yet the singer somewhat acknowledges that it is God that makes them say, “my love,” even in the midst of broken buildings and explosions.

This paradox has baffled theologians and philosophers for millennia, and they only managed to reach partial answers which are either too logical to touch the heart, or too sentimental to make a cohesive argument. However, I cannot stop listening to these verses because, let’s face it, as we pray in the Our Fathers’—“and lead us not into temptation”—we know that in life we pass through many trials, and ‘faith’ removes nothing from the suffering to be endured.

In a sense, sometimes, only poetry, music, and art can transmit the belief that God is there, even amid our hells, and that it is only love that makes hell bearable, both that of our loved ones and also His love—which is not always easy to see and verify.

Yet God’s love guides our stories, both in their highs and also in their lows. God’s love endures even when we promise that on a Monday we’ll be back, but have little faith that Monday will ever come (Io tornerò un lunedì/Ma non è mai lunedì). Love makes our hearts beat and it itself sows small seeds of love amid deserts.

So, back to the question, “Tananai’s Tango and… God?”… I think this art-piece succeeds at showing that only God, while sometimes apparently trampling on us in the dance of his love for us, makes us capable of loving (i.e., even when we are living through hell on earth). He who is love itself, gives us the grace to not give into doubt, fear, anxiety, or egoism. Indeed, and here, in being transformed into God’s nature, we become selfless like him. Through love and being loved, we become love.

It is only if we sow love that humanity will be able to reap the fruit of love one day. This fruit is not a forbidden fruit, but a fruit that God wishes us to feed on abundantly!

Read More –

Top-popes-quotes-about-sacred-music/

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1. Music is greater than any other art

“The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art.”
Vatican Council 2, The Constitution of The Sacred Liturgy, 1963, 112.

2. Creating opportunity to participate in music is crucial

“The treasure of sacred music is to be preserved and fostered with great care… but bishops and other pastors of souls must be at pains to ensure that, whenever the sacred action is to be celebrated with song, the whole body of the faithful may be able to contribute that active participation which is rightly theirs.”
Vatican Council 2, The Constitution of The Sacred Liturgy, 1963, 114

3. Musical traditions in different parts of the world are to be respected

“In certain parts of the world, especially mission lands, there are peoples who have their own musical traditions, and these play a great part in their religious and social life. For this reason due importance is to be attached to their music, and a suitable place is to be given to it, not only in forming their attitude toward religion, but also in adapting worship to their native genius… Therefore, when missionaries are being given training in music, every effort should be made to see that they become competent in promoting the traditional music of these peoples, both in schools and in sacred services, as far as may be practicable.”
Vatican Council 2, The Constitution of The Sacred Liturgy, 1963, 119

Read more:

– The Liturgy Guys

The post Top Popes’ Quotes About Sacred Music appeared first on Universe of Faith.

1. Music resonates what’s deep within 

“Whether one sings, plays an instrument, or simply appreciates music, it is a fact that music can be a very intimate experience for students. Music resonates with what lies deep within. The choice of music one listens to or/and plays, comes from the inside and reveals so much about oneself. As I see it, if the eyes are the windows of the soul, music is the window of the heart.”

 2. Music is a way of loving 

“If your child/nephew/niece says Look! Listen to what I’ve written!, the reaction that would boost her/him immensely would be a Wow with eyes wide open and a beaming smile, even if the child has sung or played a simple tune. To the student, it is a masterpiece, and expresses something of her/himself. This is all about empowerment. The seeds in those little brains blooming with potential will grow. Being there for the student, listening to her/his attempts, and attending her/his performances (I know it is not always easy to take leave), fuels creativity even if the parent/grand-parent/guardian is not competent in the field of music. Showing interest in our children’s music is of great encouragement to them. We all know that presence is extremely crucial in all aspects of loving, caring, parenting.”

 3. Music can be an effective tool in class 

Since her childhood years, Sr Vania expresses her deepest emotions in music.  “Today I invite students to express their emotions through music in my PSCD (Personal, Social and Career Development) classes. I teach teenagers, to whom music is so important. Their face shines when I ask them about their favourite artists and genres, and about the lyrics they identify with! Lessons become bubbly a particular subject is associated with the music they like!” she says.

4. Music brings out God’s presence within us “to meet God within us”

“I believe that music resonates with God within us. God’s presence is already in the sanctuary within. I am not the one to hand over this Divine Presence to you. My mission is to enable the student in front of me to connect to God, to that divine presence who is already within. Music can lead us to meet God within ourself, and brings out of us the beauty which God has put within.

This is how I imagine God, the Creator… He walks along, smiling, and letting His gaze fall on each and every little human being at the moment of conception, transmitting talents as sparks of His Perfection and Beauty.  Each spark is there to be set alight by the person receiving it, with the help of others, of course. As it develops, it is transmitted to light others up with the Perfection, the Beauty and the Creativity of God. In this way it leads others to an act of faith. Remember the story of the Emmaus disciples? We felt something burning within us; then when we realised, He had left! It is the same kind of realisation. Through these beautiful gifts, one realises that God had been there, and still is…”

5. “Analysing lyrics can help us recognise music that builds from music that destroys”

“Music can also be used ‘badly’, so to speak. It has literally made people sick and moved them to bad circles. There are songs which destroy persons rather than helping them grow. When I watched Hell’s Bells I was so impressed that I couldn’t watch Hell’s Bells 2. It is about a genre of music being used in a destructive way. Mind you, this is not about the genre in itself, as this same genre is also used in Christian music. Music can build you or break you. It’s pretty much like the way we use medicine and drugs.

One needs to ask: Is this music making me better? When I hear the students singing in the choir with so much joy, I realise that this is something much more than enjoyment! It speaks about something deep within. That is precisely the fertile ground where we can sow a good message, and tap at the Divine Presence within.”

6. Music can be an accessible gift for the weak, vulnerable or socially excluded

Sr Vania explained how usually young students approach her to join the choir and they are placed on a waiting list. Last year she decided to go for a bigger challenge. She sent an invitation to all students through the school’s online communication system to offer an opportunity to all. Whoever would wish to join from Year 3 till Year 10 (Form 4) would be given a chance for an audition.

“Auditions are important. Without them, we would put our children and young people at a disservice. Auditions reveal the capabilities of the potential artists, and guide them and their teachers towards the process of improvement. Students who are not chosen are invited to do some training, and it is amazing how often these children’s voices improve! One cannot label student’s voices as being off-tune at first hearing. Some of the students who had started off as being off-tune years ago have now become public figures as singers and artists. I have witnessed many voices improving along the years, through patience and practice, and more patience,” Sr Vania explains.

“To my surprise, almost 70 students applied. It was a challenge to me. As the choir performed in the school prize day, and in the following repeats, the audiences made me realise that it turned out to be one of the best blending of voices I ever had along these years. We sang different types of songs. As a choir, we keep in mind a holistic repertoire, choosing the spiritual, but interpreting also current, top-listed songs which transmit a positive message in tune with the message of the Gospel. The students themselves suggest the songs, and I am open to what they wish, as long as the lyrics are ‘clean’, the message is positive and powerful, and the song is not associated with an indecent video. I guide them along these criteria, and let them choose.

I was surprised when, as soon as the first performance of the scholastic year was over, I was surrounded by primary teachers who expressed their amazement at the fact that a good number of the students in choir were ones who are experiencing learning difficulties in class, or who have other conditions of which I was not aware. It was a moment of deep joy for me. I was convinced, more than ever, that this is all God’s doing. These teachers were flabbergasted to see these students perform so well in this context! Even if academically they might not achieve as well as others would, I was so glad that music was giving them the opportunity to do amazingly well. I wish to develop this aspect in working with those whose chances of achieving academically are low. According to the teachers and parents/guardians, this year saw the best of the school choir’s performances, with a good number of students who probably have low expectations of themselves.  No wonder they sang with twinkling eyes and beaming smiles!  No doubt about it, this is God’s work, from beginning to end.

7. Music builds a community “it creates a sense of belonging”

“Through music, you can create a strong sense of belonging and bring out the student’s gifts. It is surely not about the teacher imposing her taste of music onto her students. It is more about providing a safe space in which students can explore their creativity.  Sometimes, one has to be directive to get things done, but preferably, the students are guided rather than ordered about where music comes into play.

A striking example keeps coming to mind in this regard. One of our students, who died in an accident on the 15^th of August 2015, had been attending the school choir for 2 years. That scholastic year, we had chosen Hall of Fame (composed by The Script) as one of our songs, and she simply loved it. She managed to create harmonies to the song with her mother at home and was so proud of it! The following day she came to me, bouncing with joy, and with a shining face, to sing for me what she had managed to do. During rehearsals then, she would lead the section which had to sing her particular harmony. I can never forget the spark in her eyes, and her enthusiasm and pride, in leading her friends. That year we also chose I Was Here (sung by Beyonce) and I can still see her expression of awe when we discussed the meaning of the lyrics. It had struck her so much! Little did I know that a couple of months later, she herself would leave that message from Heaven. When the choir members met in October 2015 at school for our first rehearsal, the girls reminisced: Remember Hall of Fame? Remember her second voice? Remember how she was overwhelmed at the meaning of the lyrics of  I Was Here? It is such a boost for a student to be given a chance! It is so empowering to the student when s/he knows a trusted adult genuinely believes in her/him!

I call these experiences as being divine. Students have something within that we adults lack, or might have lost. I believe that at their tender age, children are very close and sensitive to God, in their innocence and purity. When students are given opportunities to bring out the beauty within; when they are given tools that let their talents bloom, it is amazing. I feel I am treading on Holy Ground here. And by the way, tools are there to bring out our gifts and make them more beautiful, not to suffocate the spirit through rigidity.”

8. Music can be therapeutic/self-understanding – “What’s your song?”

“I believe that God gives us our talents not only as a gift for others, but also as a therapy for ourselves. As I mentioned before, God lavishes sparks of His beauty. Each spark is a talent, a gift. When this spark is shared, there is a ripple effect of the beauty of God. When this spark is set alight, it becomes a therapeutic experience for the person immersed in music and for those around her/him. It becomes a healing experience, and a journey towards the understanding of self, of self-awareness.

When a teenage student approaches me for guidance, I ask, at a point in time: What kind of music do you like? Can you find me your favourite songs? As we listen together, we are on the same roller-coaster ride along the student’s emotions. I guide her through this ride and the student herself becomes capable of analysing what is going on within. It is indeed a healing experience.

This is also done with the students during choir rehearsals. I encourage students to write music and lyrics. The very fact that they try to express themselves through music leads to healing in itself. Students are happy, as if in a trance, when they experience live music with someone else. It is an irreplaceable experience,” she says.

9. Music is a gift given to us gratuitously – “God kissed my vocal chords – Pavarotti”

“Music is a gift which God gives us. I am convinced that this is not my talent but a God-given gift, that it is His work, not mine. My role is to try to understand what God wants through this gift and to let Him make it happen through me. It is similar to what the great Pavarotti had meant when he said ‘God kissed my vocal chords’.

There were various instances in my life which showed me that I cannot take music for granted. A particular one was in 2008. Way back, in the mid-1980’s, I felt a drive to write music to the prayer of the Hail Mary in Maltese (Sliem Għalik Marija), but only the first 3 notes came to mind. Year after year, I would come across the paper on which I had scribbled those 3 notes. Then I would try to continue the melody, but to no avail.  One day in 2008, I heard the news that Mons Paul Cremona OP had been appointed Archbishop. It came to mind immediately that this Archbishop had been very much versed into the mysterious ‘crying’ in tears of blood of the Madonna tal-Għar in Rabat. Suddenly, out of the blues, those 3 notes came to mind and the melody to the prayer flowed, harmonies and all. It just came out naturally, after all those years.” Sr Vania writes music and lyrics at one go: “They flow together”, she describes “I can’t write music and lyrics separately.”

After four years since I had written it, someone asked me to write down the music to the melody, as up till then, I had only played it from memory. To my amazement, I realised that all the notes in the melody where white keys. It was such a Divine moment! God, in His own way, confirmed to me that the music was His doing, and He had wanted it that way because it was all about His dear Mother’s purity. I would never have written it that way had I planned it, no matter how hard I would have tried. (There’s nothing wrong with the black notes, of course! But we all know that the symbol of purity is white. ) That is what I mean when I say that music is a gift from God. It is given from Above! We are only instruments in the Great Musician’s Hands.”

10. Music brings out other talents like leadership

“Through music, students can become leaders. Sometimes they take initiatives like contributing in their own Parishes. I have had older students in Years 7 to 10 (Forms 1 to 4) helping the little students in choir, often leading sections with different harmonies. Sometimes these students also help by producing choreography to our songs. I value them as real assistants whom I truly appreciate, and they know it. They really give added value to events.”

Sr Vania’s story

The early years…

Sr Vania learnt music since she was 4 years old at the Augustinian Sisters’ convent at Fleur-de-Lys first, and later at St Monica Mosta. “Today I’m grateful to my parents for having believed in me, even if I often resisted to having to study while my friends played outside! I feel grateful to the Sisters who taught me and I feel blessed, even though they were strict and sometimes I would feel bored, sitting for hours at the piano. I used to feel I was being forced to go. Thank God that my parents did not give up on me. I would have lost so much! My father and grandfather were both very much into music. I remember the sweet episode when my father would play different notes to me when I was 4, and I would merrily name the notes. He would gently make me aware that I had a musical gift and that it was important that I study and not give up. I remember getting bored so often, having to repeat the same line of a piece of music for an infinite number of times until I was supposed to play it to perfection. When the Sister would leave the tuition room temporarily, I would start inventing my own melodies and tunes, to express my moods and feelings. I would want to play a complete song. And so I did.”

Living In A Convent…

Sr Vania’s commitments in her consecrated life did not always permit her to dedicate enough time to the music she loves so much. “But isn’t this also the situation of mothers caring for their husbands and children, or of women dedicated to their career? I always try to make the most of the time God gives me. I leave it in His Hands and listen to what He wants. It is a question of priorities. Most often, music has to wait.”

Experiencing God…

“The way I experience God has changed along the years. I remember myself as a teenager feeling convinced of God’s love in my life even if there were times when I did not understand God. It was a kind of romantic relationship. I was very much aware that I was chosen by Him amongst others, even though there were so many people better and holier than myself.

“Eventually, the glittery feelings started falling apart, but foundations became deeper. I started experiencing a demanding God, yet a faithful Lover with His reassuring Presence. I knew God was my Rock. In the more recent years, as I became more in touch with people’s difficult and harsh problems in life, I found myself immersed in human fragility through my connection with others. This led me to experience God more concretely in my daily life, in His distressing disguise, as Michael Card puts it in one of his songs. My relationship with God has now become a walking-with-Him, and not only praying in Chapel. Evangelisation is to me a prayer-life on the go. It generates enthusiasm for the Kingdom.

“However, I am very much aware that a balance is essential here.  Being on the go for the sake of the Kingdom does not make sense if there is no time set apart for a one-to-one encounter with God. I do my utmost not to become trapped in the post-modern life syndrome: working breathlessly for our loved ones without being present enough to them. I struggle hard to juggle with ‘working’ for God and being with Him. I also have to watch out for gadgets, as connectedness is a temptation. The digital world offers too great an opportunity to transmit the values of the Gospel! But not during time-alone with Him. So sorry: Aeroplane mode – Wi-Fi disabled‚ No reception.

Wishes for the future…

“My wishes are:
– to contribute more to the beauty of Liturgy and worship, by having the school choir sing occasionally in Parishes,
– to offer music as an empowering experience to the disadvantaged.”

Photos of Sr Vania: Christina Gatt

Read More:
– Maria Teresa Spinelli – Her Life Story

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Samwel the guitarist/bassist of the band studied anthropology at the University of Malta. Francesco the percussionist/clarinetist studied conservation and also creates instruments himself like bagpipes (żaqq) and cane flutes (flieget). Mark drummer/percussionist studied nursing but works as a postman to have more time to enjoy the things he really likes doing. Mark and Robert knew each other since they were fifteen. They were involved in other bands mainly punk and rock. Then, after taking different journeys they met again at Plato’s Dream Machine.

Robert is the leader of the band. He sings, plays the guitar and writes the song’s lyrics after the music is created. At 26 years of age, Robert was fed up with his job. “I decided to leave everything and study philosophy, he says. He had already encountered the subject before but decided to take it seriously which he continued till Master’s level. “I had this sense of seeking which goes back to my teenage years. I had tried and experimented with different things but didn’t manage to do everything. The sense of searching remained present. I thought that philosophy was my subject and in a way it was; philosophy opened my mind, I could very much relate to the people mentioned in the history of philosophy. Yet I also realised there was something beyond, something extra which I expressed in our latest album Ġuf (Womb).

Plato’s Dream Machine’s songs

Though the band plays Maltese songs, it has an English name coming from the fact that in its beginnings the band wrote lyrics in English. Plato’s Dream Machine’s published songs since their very beginning are:

First demo: Journey Man and I Shall Be Released

Second demo: Down Near The Hole, Now and Gentle Tyranny

Extended Play: Recession Street, The Aristocrat, Sugar In Your Poison, Fabbrika fuq l-Għolja and No One Left To Tell The Tale.

Album Għera (Nakedness) 2014: Fik (In You), Flien (Mr. So & So), Temenza (Awe), Il-Ġnejna (The Small Garden/ Mgarr’s bay), Apatija (Apathy), Il-Qattiel (The Killer), Wiċċ (Face), Kollox Effimeru? (Is it all Short-Lived?), L-Ineffabbli (The Unexpressible), Int (You), Kimera (Illusion).

Album Ġuf (Womb) 2017: Fidi (Faith), Filgħodu (Morning), Paraliżi (Paralysis), Sejjaħtli (You Called Me), Naqa’ (Falling), Ħarstek (Your Gaze), Port (Port), Sospir (A Sigh), Ħallieq (Creator), Min Taħseb?(Who Do You Think?), Tessut (Fabric).

Moving on from the first few songs, Plato’s Dream Machine decided to try Maltese in which language Robert says, “we have found our home. It was a time when other bands were using Maltese and we also decided to give it a try. I started acquainting myself more with the dictionary and looked for new words to increase my toolbox as I never studied Maltese. Adrian Grima has also been of support in this regard.

The role of faith at Plato’s Dream Machine

As we speak about the song lyrics it becomes clear that Robert feels at home with his Catholic faith while the rest of the band are more on the non-believing side. Mark states how he himself and the rest of the band saw Robert “go through one of those pronounced conversions like St Paul did. I know a different Robert, but then he had this moment when he started to change.

Mark continues, “while Robert had this conversion, I had the opposite experience (independently of Robert’s). I come from a very Catholic background participating also in traditional Catholic movements yet I somehow felt disillusioned and disappointed through time, it happened gradually, even though I never thought this would happen to me. My faith was intertwined with most of the things I do in my life. Then it started feeling like I had outgrown faith just like when you have a t-shirt and it becomes small for you to wear. The death of a friend from an overdose and other life circumstances have possibly contributed to this.

On Catholics, Mark remarked: “I see a difference between Catholics who are devoted, dogmatic, socio-cultural religious people and Catholics who are interested in the personal faith experience like Bob. I think it is a good thing that fewer people are going to Church because those who keep going are those who truly want, the seekers, or feel the need to. In a way, I do wish I still believe as I think it is a good thing to believe and have that personal relationship with God, even though not believing is not wrong. I think religion and faith can be a good coping mechanism as long as you do not explode others.

In one of Plato’s Dream Machine concerts, fans heard Robert say ‘We are not a secular band’. “It is really not cool to say these things in our circles but Robert possibly said so to explain that the lyrics are truly coming from the heart not made up for something, Marks remarks. “Indeed, Robert explains, “sometimes I do feel that I am the only one who believes here. I have also said that comment to make the audience think, in the sense that there are other paths and journeys to take in life. A close look at the lyrics of Plato’s Dream Machine’s songs in the album Ġuf, one can start realising this sense of a search for a relationship with the Divine as it is also outlined in David Grech Urpani’s review of Ġuf.

“What is this love?
What is this forgiveness?
Given unto us, such a sacred gift.
Then why do I feel lost and in aching?
Come, restore me
Spread wide my sails
From Fidi (Faith)

Has songwriting taught you anything about God?

“The lyrics are a reflection of my internal state. Once I looked at the words and kept with them, it felt like I was looking in the mirror. This is the leap from reason to faith, a sort of divine intervention which took place in my heart. I don’t know what really happens, it’s a conviction reflected in Ġuf‘s lyrics, they came from the heart while the lyrics of the first album Għera came from the mind, they expressed thoughts and reasoning. Robert expressed.

“Through songwriting, I realised more what I think and what I feel. It felt like the first time I saw the reflection of my interiority; they taught me who I really was. Possibly they are also a way in which I pray or I relate to God. Maybe this happens even in other non-religious songs even if we do not admit it, they can also be an expression, a prayer maybe to another person, not a God, he added.

Mark added how this difference of words coming out of the heart and mind “ was also reflected in music, the music of the second album is more emotional and warm, the first one was more robotic.

The chemistry, “What keeps us together is our relationships”

So how do the dynamics in this band work? Having Robert write the lyrics, does it feel like the rest are standing up for something they don’t believe in? Robert and Mark are clear with each other that they had distanced themselves from each other in thought. “It’s like we jumped in each other’s body or mind,” Robert describes it. However, they both feel that there is still a lot of common ground between them.

Samwel explains: “We look at religion in a detached way or pretend to be detached. Religion is culturally ingrained in the Mediterranean, especially in Malta. Though I’m not a believer I really appreciate how much this is a personal thing for Bob. Even though I do not identify with his experiences, I appreciate that this is coming from his interior. He does it in an interesting way. The theme of religion is very much infused in the culture, it is easy to refer to it in song.

Francesco, the percussionist says that despite him being somewhat involved in a religious youth group he feels distant from religion and does not have any inclination towards it: “I am quite neutral on the subject, yet I am not bothered by Robert’s choice of lyrics, they are words which can be applied to other contexts because Robert is a very artistic person. I am comfortable with both the lyrics of the first and the second album. I do not feel any frontiers. There is a very good friendship between us.”

The band evolved and also changed its motivations through time. “We had a humble start, we tried to say something and said something else. Yet what kept us together is our relationships. It’s like when you have a couple, we feel natural together, there is chemistry between us. Robert explained. In fact, all Plato’s Dream Machine members agree that it is always a big blow when one of the team members leaves, as the recent leaving of Daniel Sant the pianist, “though his departure is understandable considering his musical inclinations, we deeply feel the loss. There is a good atmosphere between us which you do not find in every band. I do not take this for granted. Mark remarked.

“We are free, we have liberated ourselves from fame and money”

“Creating music gives us a vibe. There is a sort of consensus that this sense of creating is what gives them the most drive and passion in the group. “None of us are session musicians, we all have a role here, we are all artists in our own right. There is no formula in creating music, sometimes it just happens while other times it takes a long while, we bring our gifts and mix them together, Robert describes. “Indeed, we create together, that’s one of the things which keeps me in Plato’s Dream Machine. Robert is also very innovative, he likes to try new things, he never looks back, Mark affirms. Francesco adds how “we also share music we like, music people are listening to at the moment, then we all click with a particular track or style and we aim to move in that direction.

“I think it also happens because we are free. We have liberated ourselves from both fame and money, so we do not need to please anybody. We do our things. Robert states. Francesco adds, “we are not looking for business here. We did not find a good formula and kept replicating it even though it was a success. We went for a completely new product and that is also our aim for the next one. This in a way comes naturally, we do not really make an effort. The only effort we did is to have accessible music. Having easy listening especially from those who are not acquainted with the alternative scene.”

External musical influences on Plato’s Dream Machine

Plato’s Dream Machine share a lot together when it comes to music. Francesco seems to be the one who listens to ‘different’ music than the rest do: “My musical influences were always very different than those of the band but for me, it is a learning experience. I am also inspired by artists which are shared by the rest of the group like Future Islands and Radiohead which were new to me. My heart is more in traditional world music. Yet, I have also started loving what they love.

Plato’s Dream Machine’s future…

Robert says: “We are in a time where we are rediscovering ourselves again in the light of the departure of Daniel. We are a bit lazy. We do not have a fixed schedule when we meet. So we meet when we feel we are ready to work. Francesco sees this moment as a good opportunity to get together on new material. Mark added, “We wish to find a new pianist. Our music is mostly for us but we really do enjoy sharing it with our friends. It is nice to work on new things. Samwel confirms, “creating new music is the most thing that fills me with enthusiasm in this band.

Other helpers in the band are Adrian Grima, David Vella and Chris Mallia.

Photography by Christina Gatt

Published: June 2018

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