While traveling around the world, I ended on a rock (as the locals call it) in the middle of the Mediterranean sea called Malta. On a 24Km long and 14km wide island, you don’t expect much to happen. What’s for sure is that in Malta there is a vibrant music scene. Once there I attended a live gig of a band called ‘Niki Gravino and the Laughing Shadows’. Cool name ay?
Some brief history about the band (from what I’ve learnt), the band was previously known as ‘Niky Gravino and The Vile Bodies’. Niky Gravino (front man, vocalist, guitars and some keyboards) is the mastermind behind all the music composition, lyrics and even production.
They released their first album called “The Politics of Double Beds”. The album is an impressive symphony of synths, electro beats, catchy guitar riffs accompanied by Gravino’s vocals. The new band line-up also features a female vocalist, but unfortunately there is no recorded material yet. Well, one might ask, so to whom can you compare Niky Gravino, or what style does he exactly play? Hard to tell, as his album features electro music, slow music and also a hint of rock music. Though there is a good mixture of Depeche Mode accompanied by sounds effects and sometimes even vocals a’ la Marilyn Manson style. Still, it is difficult to describe this band unless you actually listen to them, which I strongly suggest.
Obviously music can’t be enough, since Gravino’s live shows have always been accompanied with fancy dress codes and make up. From the band’s Facebook fan page you can listen to the whole album, but I suggest you should buy this album and support the band. Unfortunately it seems that Maltese bands lack financial support.
DJ’s, make sure you play this album loud in clubs around the world! This band deserves much better than what they already have achieved.
