Meet the 3 Maltese singers shortlisted for European music contest Tour Music Fest
Described as the “biggest European contest for emerging singers, singer-songwriters, rappers and DJs”, Tour Music Fest has taken the continent by storm. With 28 audition dates held throughout seven different countries, 63 finalists have now been chosen to compete in seven different categories. Out of the shortlisted applicants, three are Maltese singers: Alexia Micallef, Francesca Sciberras and Claire Tonna. With a Berklee summer program, a €10,000 scholarship program, an international tour and a record deal for a first single listed as prizes for the respective category winners, the singers’ determination and drive to succeed is at an all-time high!
The national selection took place last weekend and all three singers participated in different categories; Alexia competed in the Junior section, Francesca in the general singers section and Claire in the singer-songwriter category meaning that the three singers will not be pitting against each other but united together to represent Malta in Rome on December 8th. Want to know more about our ambassadors? Read on!
Alexia Micallef - Junior
For Alexia, the weeks leading up to the competition were pretty intense with rehearsals but all her hard work paid off when she was mentioned as one of the shortlisted singers. Upon hearing her name announced, she experienced “an overload of different emotions” as she admits that her ambition was more to sing with a live band than win. Now, the situation has altered and Alexia acknowledges that winning the overall category would be “a dream come true and a big reason to celebrate!”
Asked about her musical influences, Alexia confesses that Freddie Mercury and Whitney Houston are the two powerhouses that she looks up to. “I sing to share emotion and make people happy and also I ensure that the audience has an amazing time,” she says. While she adds that she will be working closely with her vocal coach to prepare for the international leg of the competition, Alexia reveals that her musical dream is “to continue my studies in music in a professional school abroad and one day record a single/album and tour with this album.” With one foot in Tour Music Fest, her dream is slowly inching closer to reality!
Francesca Sciberras - Singer
You might recognize Francesca as one half of the duo that won the 2009 edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest yet this singer has certainly evolved since those days. "Musically, as well as personally, I feel that I have grown so much in the past 10 years," she reveals, adding that while "there were more downs than ups" it is precisely that which kept her going.
One of her musical influences, Adele, has helped her realize that "size and shape do not matter if you have the voice." This conviction has seen her realize her dream of becoming a resident singer with Gozitan big band D Capitals. Now moving unto bigger platforms, Francesca reveals that when she and her best friend/pianist Stephanie Curmi (hey sister!) heard their names being called out, they started "screaming like never before because it was truly something that we were not expecting" since the pair didn't have a lot of rehearsals due to other musical commitments.
Asked about the final, Francesca reveals her way forward: "after hearing last Sunday’s recording I have jotted down some notes so as to fine tune the song even more, but one thing I can say is that I will remain as faithful to Sunday’s interpretation as possible."
Claire Tonna - Singer-songwriter
Claire Tonna is not an unfamiliar voice in the local industry. She reveals that her groundwork for the contest involved "preparing myself to be as myself as I could: truthful, raw and as most human as can be." Her song selection is also particular, speaking about her insecurities and how she has learnt to draw her confidence from them, a move which keeps within the musical style we have come to expect from her.
Claire reveals that her songwriting process is inspired by multiple sources: from 80s underground bands and 90s neo soul to absolute silence. "I go in a void inside me were I don't exist anymore and then that pure state free of memory and thought gives me the words I want to hear and song." The process is not always as taxing, as she adds that "sometimes, a song just comes out with any effort."
Claire has great respect for and appreciation towards music legends and admits that her ultimate dream would be "to sing for people on death row beside Patti Smith." Looking towards the final, she confesses that if she were to emerge the winner of her category her future would be set: "record my next album, tour it and keep doing the thing i was born to do; singing the words that make me and the listeners feel good to be alive." Till then, Claire will continue looking towards humanity for inspiration.
Good luck y'all!