On one hot summer evening, while sitting at a seaside bar enjoying the starry sky and an ice cold beer, I ended up chatting to a handsome bearded man. He introduced himself as Martin from Macedonia. From our first exchange of words, I concluded that he had an interesting outlook on life, and we ended up talking for hours.

It takes no time to realise that Malta has become popular with expats from all over the world. In Malta, you will meet the Maltese, visitors and many foreigners who live and work here. The Mediterranean island has become a cosmopolitan hub that's home to people from various countries and diverse backgrounds, many of whom come to Malta pursuing a different life experience.

It turns out that Martin is a famous Macedonian musician, beard model and graphic designer who flew here a few months ago seeking a different fortune.

“So who is Martin in Macedonia?” I asked.

“Martin Srbinoski is a musician, composer, lyricist, entertainer, showman, radio presenter, graphic designer and dedicated father to a wonderful daughter, Mila. Hence Martin Mila, my artistic name.”

“And how did you end up in Malta?”

“I came to Malta because I needed a change; a little break from the things that were surrounding me," he told me, “so I came here to just be me for a while.”

“So what’s your story?”

“My dream was to somehow inspire people to know themselves through my song lyrics and the music that I express. What inspires me is social life; all that is going on around us; all kinds of stories: motivational stories, life stories… real life experiences that I wanted to share.

"I was 21 years old when I released my first single, ‘That’s the way it will be’ (Така И Ќе Остане) in late 2006. I had been into playing in bands since I was in sixth grade, and when I was a solo guitar player in a grunge band called Blossom Pint, we lived the dream and hit the stage at local festivals in Kumanovo, where I grew up, and many towns in Macedonia. 

"I came second in a Macedonian Reality TV show searching for a multi-talented person in 2005, then worked as a TV show man and host in three TV shows on the national TV stations in Macedonia. Macedonia is a small country - bigger than Malta - but in any case small enough that TV exposure ensured you were approached by the contacts you needed. So I released my first song."

"Cool! So your dream came true!" 

“I’ve released three albums in the last 11 years as a musician. One of my songs, 'Not Mine Anymore' (Веќе Мое Не е), was top of the Pure Adria Chart on MTV Adria in Slovenia for two weeks in 2007.

"I also enjoyed performing alongside artists such as Chantelle, Emery, Chris Villis, Kate Ryan and Blu. And the rewards I had from my country representing Macedonia on festivals."

“But from the day my daughter Mila was born, she became the point of every inspiration of my life. Everything that I do, in the last seven years, my only inspiration is Mila. I would think, ‘How would Mila react when she hears her daddy’s lyrics when she’s a little older?’ There will definitely be questions and I will try to offer answers. But she is my inspiration for everything.”

“Is she here with you?” I ask.

“She is with her mother in Macedonia. And although I am far away from Mila, everything I am doing is for her. I want her to really know her father, not through what she sees on the screen but who I am to her. She is visiting soon – when we’re together, I feel so happy!” Martin proceeds to show me several cute pictures of his seven-year-old daughter, who’s got enough punch for two adults. She is already a European hip hop dance champion. 

“Did you find it easy to settle in Malta? Are you playing music here?”

“I miss my daughter a lot, but we call regularly on Skype. However, I feel happy with how the music is going. Within four weeks, I had already booked six gigs a week. And it would have been much harder getting started without my friends. 

“Here in Malta, I have many friends and acquaintances from my country. Some of them knew me as an artist in Macedonia and expressed surprise seeing me here. But some friends really helped, like Deni, who was waiting for me at the airport. She introduced me to many people and that evolved very quickly. My friends helped me a lot to get the first gigs, so I feel grateful. 

“I have played in The George Pub, White Flamingo, Murphy’s, Velvet Club Lounge, Parrot Bay, Harmony and other pubs in Bugibba. I really enjoy performing and invite anyone to enjoy with me. I am at the George Pub every Monday and Friday from 9pm and at Velvet, where I play Balkan rock music, every Sunday at midnight. The other days vary between gigs at various other pubs.”

So here’s Martin Mila, a not-so-ordinary guy living out a new life the way he wants it in Malta. It seems this little island is becoming the land of opportunity in more ways than one could imagine!