Ryan’s was the venue last week for the launch of the second album entitled Uncivilized by Krave, or as they are known to most people, Chris and Moira.

“Our first CD was under our names, but after the Eurovision we wished to break away from that image so now we use Krave instead,” said Moira Stafrace who had brought along her daughter Michela for this brief interview.

Somehow it is hard to believe that the still very hip-looking Moira is a Mummy.

It is also hard to believe that 10 years have gone by since More than Love was on everyone’s lips. The fuss people made this year about Julie and Ludwig is an echo of what happened then as Chris and Moira had just tied the knot before they represented Malta at the Eurovision. Couples who sing together and are also in a relationship always seem to appeal to the public.

“We’ve been working hard on this album for two years and we’re very excited because this is going back to our roots, which is rock music. Rock is ‘in’ again, more than before,” she said.

Before they got married, before they became parents, these two were rockers. Chris always played and sang in rock bands such as Getting Closer while Moira used to sing in a rock and blues band in London.

The most obvious question is about the title of the CD:

“Uncivilized refers to the world we live in, and also the kind of music we have produced. The arrangements of the songs were done in a way to capture the natural sounds of live instruments such as strings, drums, bass... it’s that kind of album. We wanted to capture the rawness of the voices and instruments.”

Moira has six songs as a vocalist and Chris has four and, she added firmly, “there are no duets.”

“We didn’t want them, we wanted something different. Duets are more associated with Chris and Moira, rather than with Krave.”

The CD is produced by Chris, Roberto Calleia and Billy B. As for Moira,

“I cooked for everyone...! We recorded it at our own Indigo studios which is probably why it took us so long. Nobody was running after us, we weren’t being charged by the hour so it was a luxury. We knew exactly what we wanted, and that is what we achieved. The only drawback when you are not being rushed is that there’s the temptation to keep changing things. Last year, Chris spent a whole summer inside the studio working on the album.”

The lyrics written by Moira are inspired by everyday life.

“They talk about freedom, joy, laughter, the hatred in our world, betrayal, everything. The idea that we always want what we don’t have. Then of course, there are the dreams. After all these years, I’m still a dreamer...” she said.

Krave perform regularly at Ryan’s and Checkers, and maintain that what they enjoy most are these live performances.On the day I met Moira, the couple were celebrating their tenth anniversary. So over the years has it become easier or harder to balance your music and your relationship as a couple?

“There is always some good and some bad, no matter which situation you’re in, even when you don’t work together like we do. At time it helps that we sing together because you can be on same wavelength, and it’s important that we are both involved in the same field. We’re always grumbling about all the equipment we have to carry that’s for sure! On the other hand we have our time apart so that helps. Frankly, I can’t imagine myself with my career not having my husband in the same line; it just wouldn’t work, knowing me with my character! At this point what I can say is, thank God, we have made it through so far.”

Finally, Moira thanked Abbey Road Studios in London where the CD was mastered by Adam Nunn, “and where we were taken care of by our good friend Mandy.” Also indispensable were the sponsors Pixel Services Ltd. and Poulton’s print shop.

Check out their website: www.chrisandmoira.com