The Maltese music scene has always exhibited plenty of talent, mostly in the rock, alternative, grunge and punk genres. Etnika stood out with its folk/ethnic genre, sparking interest back to the original Maltese instruments and music-culture. Now Tribali are presenting ethnic music from all corners of the globe, blended together in such a way that one cannot help think how beautifully the all-Maltese band convey the message of harmony between all cultures of the world.

Not only that, because the members’ attitude in itself embraces harmony at all levels. At a recent jamming gig in Valletta that was intended as a taster for the special event about to take place to launch their debut album, I was impressed by one particular line they chanted in rhythm with their music: “Inspire me, and I inspire you.” It had the effect of escalating to a point where people were dancing like mad, in total abandon and bliss.

Later, Antoine, one of the percussionists, told me that the line refers to the flow of energy between the band and the crowd, with the energy of the music and the dancing rising together as one, in harmony, feeding each other.

I have known most of the members of the group individually for a few years, since the days when we would just hang out at the beach and play into the sunset. Could you imagine then my pleasure at meeting them at their studio for this interview? I had to smile, as even on entering, this felt like the gateway into a universal dimension. The walls and ceiling are draped in coloured patterned cloth, no doubt obtained by some of the members during their travels in the East, not to mention the vast array of musical instruments from all over the world sprawled all over the place, providing an ethnic ambience that definitely suits them.

To the best of my knowledge, you were all musicians, and friends, since long before Tribali was conceived. What led you to take that step together?

“It was a natural process. We would meet regularly at the beach, at Riviera (Ghajn Tuffieha), with different people present at the jam sessions. Eventually we organised the first event, in the form of a boat party, which success led to more to follow.

Some people started to meet for jamming at Antoine’s house, and others would jam at other places, so in the beginning there were many small groups, so at one point a band named Kalamazoo and Tribali joined together… and people were calling us Tribalizoo!”

They chuckled at the recollection. Speaking in turn, and sometimes simultaneously as they juggled their memories, they went on to tell me that several people came and went as time went by. At the time Antoine and Peterpaul barely knew each other, except through friends of friends, but when the time came for Peterpaul to go off on an eight-month-long trip to India and South East Asia, he approached Antoine, suggesting they should work on something seriously on his return. In the meantime, Jo Sapi and Grigal also returned from their independent travels in India.

Antoine and Peterpaul, both percussionists, began working together writing songs using a recorder. Grigal, who was previously unimpressed by the methods employed during earlier jam sessions which either consisted of amazing improvisations, or equally mediocre haphazard thumping on percussion instruments, finally agreed to play the didgeridoo for the band, where Antoine had been filling multiple roles for the initial recordings. Jo Sapi contributed with the Sitar and guitars, but the question of who would play the bass always remained. The band unanimously agreed that Adriano was the last piece of the puzzle, because it was when he joined in 2004 that the band really fused together, becoming a complete whole, and things moved quickly from that point forward.

Most of you have played rock music in your previous experiences with bands, so was the switch to world music inspired by your travels?

“Definitely! Our exposure to ethnic music meant we acquired more and more of a taste for it. We were also influenced by our sessions playing with DJs such as Owen Jay, Woody Aki and the Ciavola brothers. During a number of events long before the ‘official’ Tribali came into being, they would mix into our jamming then back, and in this way we acquired rhythms of house music, acid jazz and funk.”

I know that previously you often jammed together for the pure pleasure of music, and also for fund raising events, so what drove you to making a CD?

“In 2004 we started to gig around at clubs and summer festivals including the beer festival, at a time when the songs where just gelling and most of it was improvisation. In November that year we set up a music and art festival in aid of children around the globe, laid out over three days. Established musicians also participated and Lm4,300 were collected and distributed to organisations in Malta, Gozo and Kenya. In this period we were well into our pre-production and song writing, and it was at around this time that we met Steve Brown.

“Antoine had always dreamt of making a CD, because of so many requests from people. Steve Brown was about to be instrumental to make this dream come true. By December 2005, after three months in the studio, the album was ready. The album was recorded at Farmhouse Studios, produced by Tribali and Howard Keith, and all the songs are by Tribali.”

Your debut CD will be launched very shortly with a special event to be held in a particularly special location. When and where will this event take place?

“A festival will be held at Hagar Qim open air restaurant on Sunday 28 May. It is an ideal location surrounded by nature and the prehistoric temples that are a world heritage as much as they are a Maltese heritage.”

Could you give more detail about what the public could expect to experience at this event?

“The place will be decorated to match the musical vibe, with an ethnic theme. Doors will open at 3pm into an ethnic market with an array of artworks by different artists, as well as ethnic goods from India, Asia, Africa and Argentina for sale.

“While the ethnic objects will be provided by individual travellers, and local shops Esencial and Aw Tribu, Olimpus music shop will sell percussion instruments like djembe, conga, shakers, timbales, and so on. Natasha Turner’s books dealing with themes from poetry to psychosocial books for all ages will be signed by the author and offered at special discounts.

“Among the artists one will find both local as well as foreign talent. Pandolfino will display his metal sculptures and Lisa Ambrogio her paintings, while the public can also enjoy the live spray painting by Slovak artist Vlasto and meet the unique signature artist Frank O’Neill. Several other artists from a variety of creative artistic fields will also contribute to the event which promises to be a feast for all the senses. It will even be possible to gratify the senses further through the natural healing art of Reflexology foot and hand massage.

“A World Music DJ set by N Bone will provide the ambience for all of this, until our concert in the evening. The first session will run from 3pm to around 8pm with traditional world music from all over the globe. Styles will include reggae, salsa, sufi qawwali, gypsy music, tribal rhythms, blues, spiritual chants and others. After our concert he will proceed with the second session until around midnight, playing psychedelic dub and rock with ethnic influence and tribal rhythms.”

Will you be giving a live performance of the CD during your concert at Hagar Qim?

“The climax of the festival will be a live performance by Tribali at around sunset. We will play a live adaptation of the songs on the CD, other songs, along with improvisation. There will also be some session players joining on stage, namely Marvic Lewis (voice), Dru Mayer on percussions and Alistair Galea on guitars.”

Will the event be suitable for all ages, and do tickets need to be purchased in advance?

“The event is suitable for young and old, and families are encouraged to make the most of this unusual display and performance. In fact, under 16s entrance is free. Otherwise, tickets for the event cost Lm3.50 and may be obtained from the ticket outlets, through the ticket hotline, ordered through the website, or at the door.”

Your CD will be for sale on the day at the Hagar Qim festival. How will your CDs be available thereafter?

“The whole event is set up in order to launch our debut album which will be for sale for the first time on the day. The launch price of the album will be Lm6.00. Thereafter the CD will be available at designated distribution outlets which will be announced later. However the album may be ordered directly through the website: www.tribalimusic.com.”

You are already well known due to your unusual genre in the Maltese music scene, but for those who have never had the opportunity to listen to your music, how could you advise them on what to expect?

“Our website not only provides detailed information on the band and the upcoming event, simultaneously enabling ordering of tickets or the album itself, but also offers a facility for listening to our songs. That should give anybody who is curious a very good idea of what we are about!”

To conclude?

“We look forward to the opportunity to entertain, so we hope to encourage as many people as possible to come and join so that we can enjoy together!”

Ticket Outlets: Aw Tribu – Paola; Esencial – Valletta; Olimpus Music Shop – Gzira

Ticket hotline: 99841918; Website: www.tribalimusic.com