Shh
Malta’s indie-pop scene has been growing since they joined the EU in 2004 and I would have to say they are getting pretty well known to the rest of the world as of late. The island is located at the centre of the Mediterranean. It has been conquered by the Greeks, the Romans, the Carthaginians and the list goes on, but of course they have been free of any carnage since 1964. Best friends since they were twelve years old, Alison Galea and Ian Schranz are a duo with enormous musical talent. The music from their Burning Love EP displays a sweet sound of low fidelity mixed with pop vocals and that tough, but delicate, romantic female attitude. GRRRrrowl. Oh come on guys, you know exactly what I am talking about. It’s as if Galea is singing to you – you just can’t help but imagine her sitting in the car next to you, the top down, wind blowing and sunshine. This is a duo that instantly makes you feel good with what they create. As soon as you hit play – big smile. Both Schranz and Galea grew up in St Julians in Malta, but have lived in Berlin and Paris and various places since then. Galea’s family was always musical, with her parents both being in a choir and her father being a musician, on the other hand, Schranz comes from a sports family, but has always been a painter and that was his first step into the art world. Schranz got his first cassette of the Violent Femmes at thirteen years old
By: Michael Keel from his American cousins. Galea’s father was also a DJ in the 70’s so it was easy for her to have access to all the classic great bands growing up that influence still to this day. They formed their first band Beangrowers at fifteen years old, four albums later and various side projects later they formed The Shh in 2012, the debut album that was recorded in three days. Both of them influence each other very much. Galea says, “Naturally we draw from soundtracks, films, musicals and other bands. But mainly it’s from meeting people and experiencing life that we get most of our inspiration from.” Last year Galea sang on a couple of tracks for the soundtrack to the Wim Wenders academy award film Pina. They will release their full album by summer with a video, tour Europe and hopefully Japan. I only support new talent that I like and should be heard. So if you are reading it in WHOA magazine – you know it’s good – I know – “big words.” But really, if your appetite craves a laid back indie lounge type pop in lo-fi – The Shh is a duo you should definitely check out. www.facebook.com/pages/The-Shh/ www.the-shh.com/
whoa Fall 2013 | 13