The Malta Independent 19 May 2024, Sunday
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Freddie Calls: Maltese band making it in the UK

Wednesday, 4 February 2015, 11:04 Last update: about 10 years ago

Four young, handsome and talented guys from Malta are making it in the music world in the UK - here we finally catch up with Matt Manché, Nicky Manché, Tom Vassallo and Danny Said from the band FREDDIE CALLS to find out what they’re all about. Writes Erika Brincat

How did the four of you meet and how come you are all based in London?

Matt: We grew up together, all in school together. Nick and I are brothers.

Dan: We all lived in the same street.

Tom: I used to walk past Dan's house and I could hear him playing drums.

Dan: We moved to London together with one purpose - to pursue music.

 

On 13 December 2013 you released your first song 'The Watcher'. Who wrote the song, and what is it about?

Matt: We wrote the song together and to us it represents our muse, the energy that keeps us together.

Nick: People see it as so many different things. Some see it as a person they may have lost or a love song.

Tom: I see it as that as well, it does have spiritual undertones.

Dan: One guy told me he saw it as a suicide note 'lost my soul on an open road'. Everyone interprets things in their own way and we like that the song allows that.

Matt: Each verse takes me to another place. It's a journey.

 

What came next? Tell us about the other music you have released since then

Matt: Well over the last year we've been gigging a lot in the UK and writing mostly.

Dan: Familiarising ourselves with the London scene.

Matt: We've got new music and developed our sound. In 2015 you'll be hearing more music from us, in fact I can exclusively tell you now that we're releasing our next single this spring.

Nick: Expect bigger hooks, louder guitars, anthem stadium sound.

 

Do you consider yourselves a rock or pop band?

Dan: That's an awkward question.

Tom: It's so vague nowadays.

Matt: Were not a pop band.

Nick: We're a Rock Band.

 

Who are your music producers?

Matt: Right now we're working with the best of the best (Matt looks at his manager) can we say? (Management shakes head.)

Dan: We're working with a couple of guys who have helped make some of the music that has really inspired us over the years.

Tom: We're working with a team that have made music with The Killers, U2, 30 Seconds to Mars and so many other bands that we love.

Matt: We can't wait for you to hear it.

 

Which hotspots in the UK do you enjoy performing the most in?

Nick: London fans have an awesome vibe we get a great response at every gig. The energy here is awesome.

Dan: We've also played in Liverpool and Brighton the UK in general is exciting.

Tom: We miss Malta though, hopefully we will be back soon - we're waiting for our invite to play Isle of MTV!

 

What does your year ahead look like?

Matt: We have lots of releases, festivals, some big gigs coming up. This will be our busiest and most exciting year to date.

Nick: It's still only January and we've got so much booked up already.

 

 

You created a beautiful video together for 'The Watcher'. Can we look forward to any more videos coming out this coming year?

ALL: YES!

Tom: We've had a meeting about that just this morning.

Dan: Let's just say you'll be seeing a lot of us.

 

Do you have any plans of performing in Malta at some point?

Matt: Yes - we always look forward to coming home, it's just about timing now.

Dan: The current schedule we have is very demanding - London is demanding of us. We will make it work.

 

If not, how can your Malta based fans keep in touch? Are your songs being played locally on the radio?

Tom: There's no 'If not' we will definitely find a way.

Matt: We're lucky enough to have the backing of all the major radio stations in Malta, they really support us and we look forward to hearing our new tracks on Maltese radio too.

Nick: Our fans can always stay in touch socially too we're on Instagram and Twitter @FreddieCalls and we love to talk.

 

Any big dreams for 2015?

Matt: Yes, of course! We only know how to dream big!

 

We wish you all the best guys! You rock.

All: Thanks!!

 

Visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9j8-LAN_R0w to listen to their single 'The Watcher'

 

 

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