TMIS brings you an interview with another Liquorish Participant for this year’s adventure Liquorish Indian Ocean, musician Matthew Mercieca more commonly known as Muxu...

Everyone knows you as Muxu, whats your christian name and surname?

My name is Matthew Mercieca! Sounds very serious, I know.

What does Muxu mean? How did you choose it as your stage name?

It’s been my nickname ever since I was a baby, my aunt used to be awhh muxxxu and it stuck!

I thought it was the perfect stage name! 

At what age did you start singing and what was the first song you sang in public?

My mum says I was always singing, always putting on shows, but I went to my first lesson at 7! Apparently I put up a show at the age of 4, and after it ended I said I would one day be bigger than Michael Jackson!

You are very good at dancing, do you take or used to take dancing lessons as well?

I used to take lessons when I was younger, and I guess the rhythm just stuck! But mind you when I’m working with amazing dancers like Kristina and all the Dance Project girls, I realise I need to get back to lessons and upgrade my skills!

You’ve become famous over the last two years...What happened to make you become so noticed/ What/Who gave you this push?

I don’t consider myself to be famous! I am blessed! Because I have the best family and friends that support everything I do! But the push to enter the local music scene was from the producer I was working with at the time Jay Omaro, he produced “Beat My Drum” and thought I should release it to local radios! I did, and that’s where it all began :) 

What Awards have you been nominated for and which awards did you win?

I have been nominated for 6 awards so far! And won my first one for “Best Solo Artist” last December at the 2010 Bay Music Awards! An amazing feeling!

Which Singles went up to number one on the charts?

I’ve had two number ones so far my first single “Beat My Drum” and the other was my song with Talitha “Still Missing You”.

You write your own music right? Where do the music and the lyrics come up from? What mood are you usually in?

I write everything myself!  Most songs start off on my piano at 4 in the morning (poor neighbors) and include anger or tears!  It’s all about the emotions you’re going through! It’s my personal psychologist, I tell music my problems! It gives me the answer, and I feel better! 

You are very stylish...Do you design your own clothes or do you have a stylist who does it for you?

Thank you! It’s a mix of everything! Sometimes we design stuff ourselves sometimes we work with people! Gotta keep it fresh!

What’s your favourite clothing item in your wardrobe?

Probably my military jacket! I have the weirdest obsession with jackets!

Are you also fussy about shoes?

Not over the top! But I do like big messy boots! They rough out an outfit really well!

You’re always changing hairstyles...Mention all the colours that your hair was dyed in...?

I was blonde, brown, silver, and I’ve had curls, straight hair, long and short - I’ve tried them all!

Do you decide about your hair or do others decide for you?

No normally it’s my stylist Jan or Chris from Chris at La Difference, they come up with the ideas and most of the time , I do as they want! No complaints so far!

Do you have expensive tastes or do you like to make bargains?

Hard Question - I do both! But apparently I am more of the expensive type guy! Remember quality over quantity!

How come you applied for Liquorish?

It is the complete opposite of everything I love! But I feel I have been very blessed and was quite spoiled as a person and did not appreciate everything that we are blessed with! So the honest truth, I just wanted to grow as a person.

Are you an adventurous type, did you ever camp in your life before Liquorish?

I do sort of like adventures as long as I’ve got a nice bed to go home to after! With a clean shower, a proper loo! And clean clothes! haha I actually did go camping once but it was on a beach and I didn’t even manage to last 24 hours!

Aren’t you afraid of the concept of a reality show...that it will expose the real you... waking up in the morning, messy hair, dirty/rugged clothes?

That was the main reason I wasn’t 100% sure about doing the show at first! Not because I’ll be looking a mess! But because people will get to know things about me, my personality, the way I react! Just things that are nice to keep to private! But after a good chat with my mum she convinced me that it’s ok if not everyone loves you! I like my self as a person, and that’s all that matters.

What comments are you expecting from the general public after they watch Liquorish...hard worker, lazy, cuddly, what?

The baby of the group for sure! The one who was always being cuddled and spoiled, but I hope people will see the comedy factor too, I feel I was a strong part on an emotional level to the team! Not physical, emotionally! I felt I did keep the team going at times!

Without giving a lot of information how would you sum up the Liquorish experience?

Life-changing, scary, fun! Met amazing people and grew up so much as a person! 

Would you do it again?

If you asked me the question right after we got back it would have been no, but now after some time and seeing how much people don’t appreciate what they have in this world my answer would be Yes! In a heartbeat!