The Travellers (Maltese band)

The Travellers are a music band from the Maltese island of Gozo. They released "Sempliċità" ("Simplicity"), their debut single, in January 2016.[1] Their sound is characterized by Maltese lyrics accompanied by brass-based pop music.[2]

The Travellers
The Travellers live at the Għaxaq Music festival in July 2022
The Travellers live at the Għaxaq Music festival in July 2022
Background information
OriginGozo, Malta
GenresPop music
Years active2013–present
Members
  • Clayton Bonello (bass guitar)
  • Joseph Xerri (trumpet)
  • Chris Gatt (vocals)
  • Andrew Vella (guitar & backing vocals)
  • Sylvano Mizzi (saxophone & keyboards)
  • Michael Camilleri (drums)
Websitewww.thetravellersmalta.com

History

The band was formed in 2013 with the aim to create something different within the Maltese music scene.[1] Clayton Bonello (bass guitar), Joseph Xerri (trumpet), Chris Gatt (main vocals), and Andrew Vella (guitar and backing vocals) were the original members. Sylvano Mizzi (saxophone and keyboards) and Micheal Camilleri (drums) joined later in the same year.[3][4][5]

All members of the band come from the smaller Maltese island of Gozo. Just as other inhabitants of Gozo, they often have to take the boat to cross over to the main island. This was the inspiration for the band name.[1][3] This is also referred to in their song "Il-Vjaġġatur" ("The Traveller") from their 2021 album Inżul u Tlajja'.[6] Their debut single "Sempliċità" was a success and their two subsequent 2016 singles both topped the Maltese charts.[7]

Lyrics

All the songs released by The Travellers are in Maltese.

In 2018, The Travellers released the song "Ilkoll Flimkien" ("All Together"). The lyrics include excerpts from the poem "Jekk" ("If") by the poet Oliver Friggieri.[8]

Some of their songs focus on current affairs or social issues. In fact, The Travellers have collaborated with various local entities to create awareness about various issues. With their song "Il-Biża'" ("The Fear"), The Travellers collaborated with Richmond Foundation, an organization that offers support related to mental health.[9][10] The ending of the music video for the song lists contact information for ways to receive mental health support.[11] With their song "Siġġu Vojt" ("Empty Chair"), The Travellers collaborated with Transport Malta for the 2021 campaign against drinking and driving over the Christmas and New Year period.[12]

Discography

Singles
Inżul u Tlajja' album in CD format

The Travellers have released 15 singles, each with its own music video. 14 of these singles are included in an EP or album, while "X'inhu L-Milied Għalik" was a stand-alone release and the band's first Christmas track.[13]

  • Sempliċità (2016)[1]
  • Dak li Int (2016)[14]
  • Xemx u Xita (2016)[15]
  • Ħafi Paċi Kuluri (2017)[16]
  • Ilkoll Flimkien (2018)[8]
  • Tpenġijiet (2018)[17]
  • Umani (2018)[18]
  • Iljuni fis-Silġ (2019)[19]
  • X'inhu L-Milied Għalik? (2020)[13]
  • Il-Biża' (2021)[9]
  • Inżul U Tlajja' (2021)[20]
  • Siġġu Vojt (2021)[12]
  • Ħobbni Kemm Trid (2022)[21]
  • Fejn Mar Il-Kwiet (2022)[22]
  • Is-Sbuħija ta’ Dan iż-Żmien (2022)[23]

Albums

The Travellers have released one EP and two full albums.[24]

  • Xemx U Xita - EP (2016)
  • Iljuni Fis-Silġ - Full Album (2018)
  • Inżul U Tlajja' - Full Album (2021)

Remixes
  • Is-Sbuħija ta’ Dan iż-Żmien (Carlo Gerada Remix) (2022)[25][26][27]

Notable collaborations

The Travellers have collaborated with Maltese band Red Electric in the creation of a series of concerts where members of the two bands perform as a single large band. During these concerts the setlists include songs from the discographies of both bands. Concerts were performed in 2019 and 2022. In 2019, the concert was called "1". In 2022, it was called "ONE" and part of the proceeds from this concert were donated to the McDonald House Charities Malta which is an organization that helps families in need.[28][29][30][31][32][33]

In 2022, local DJ and producer Carlo Gerada produced the first official remix of any song by The Travellers. He produced a remix of the song "Is-Sbuħija ta’ Dan iż-Żmien".[26][27]

Awards and accolades
Award Awarding Body Year Additional Information Source
Palma tad-Deheb San Lawrenz parish, Gozo 2016 Award given to acknowledge effort by young people within the musical sector [3]
Best Musical Act Lovin Malta Social Media Awards 2019 [34]
Best Performance of the Night Lovin Music Awards 2019 The Travellers performed their songs "Umani", "Ersaq fil-Qrib", "Ħafi Paċi Kuluri", and "Xemx u Xita" [35][36]
Best Band Lovin Music Awards 2019
Best Live Act Lovin Music Awards 2019
Best Song Lovin Music Awards 2019 Awarded for the song "Ersaq fil-Qrib"
Best Song in Maltese Malta Music Awards 2020 Awarded for the song "Iljuni fis-Silġ" [37][38]
Best Song Malta Music Awards 2020 Awarded for the song "Iljuni fis-Silġ"
Best Musical Act Lovin Malta Social Media Awards 2020 [39]
Best Group Bay Music Awards 2020 [40]
Best Musical Act Lovin Malta Social Media Awards 2023 [41]

References
  1. "Debut single from The Travellers". Times of Malta. 17 January 2016. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  2. "About". The Travellers (thetravellersmalta.com). Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  3. "The Travellers awarded 'Palma tad-Deheb' by San Lawrenz community". Gozo.News. 29 July 2016. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  4. The Travellers (27 December 2020). "Kunċert tal-Milied (X'Inhu l-Milied Għalik) — The Travellers". YouTube (Video) (in Maltese and English). Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  5. The Travellers (1 September 2021). "The Travellers – Il-Biża' (Acoustic) | Valletta Rooftop Sessions". YouTube (Video) (in Maltese and English). Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  6. The Travellers. "Inżul u Tlajja - The Travellers (Lirika)" (PDF) (in Maltese). Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  7. "THE TRAVELLERS ANNOUNCE NEW SINGLE: INŻUL U TLAJJA". Oh My Malta. 20 September 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  8. "FILMAT: The Travellers b'kanzunetta ġdida; 'Ilkoll Flimkien'". Net News. 27 February 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  9. "The Travellers announce their new single 'Il-Biża'". Times of Malta. 10 August 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  10. "About Richmond". Richmond Foundation. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  11. The Travellers (9 August 2021). "The Travellers — Il-Biża'" (Video). Retrieved 3 July 2022 – via YouTube.
  12. Vassallo, Alvin (1 December 2021). "The Travellers release new single 'Siġġu Vojt'". TVM News. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  13. "The Travellers release first Christmas single". Times of Malta. 12 November 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  14. Bugeja, Micheal (16 March 2016). "NEW SINGLE FROM THE TRAVELLERS". www.mikebugeja.com. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  15. "New single from The Travellers". Times of Malta. 24 July 2016. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  16. The Malta Independent, "The Travellers' brand new summer single – 'Hafi Paci Kuluri'", 12 July 2017.
  17. Saliba, Norma (14 June 2018). "The Travellers – back to the '70s". TVM News. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  18. Mallia, Jillian (6 November 2018). "WATCH: Maltese band The Travellers releases new single 'Umani' & the message is on point!". GuideMeMalta.com. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  19. Cassar, Josanne (18 June 2019). "THE TRAVELLERS WITH THEIR LATEST SINGLE "ILJUNI FIS-SILĠ"". Josanne Cassar: Interviewing Malta (Press Release). Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  20. "New single 'Inżul u Tlajja' from The Travellers". Newsbook.com.mt. 1 October 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  21. Mifsud, Terrence (1 March 2022). "THE TRAVELLERS LAUNCH NEW SINGLE 'ĦOBBNI KEMM TRID'". Oh My Malta. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  22. "The Travellers ask "fejn mar il-kwiet?"". TVM News. 20 April 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  23. "A new single from The Travellers 'Is-Sbuħija ta' Dan iż-Żmien'". Times of Malta (Press release). 6 July 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  24. The Travellers. "Music". Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  25. The Travellers (22 August 2022). "The Travellers — Is-Sbuħija ta' Dan iż-Żmien (Carlo Gerada Remix)" (Video). Archived from the original on 25 August 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022 – via YouTube.
  26. Gerada, Carlo (19 August 2022). "Super excited about this one!". Archived from the original on 25 August 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022 – via Facebook.
  27. "CARLO GERADA RELEASES THE TRAVELLERS REMIX". Oh My Malta. 26 August 2022. Archived from the original on 13 October 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  28. Azzopardi, Jean Paul (17 October 2019). "LMA Performance Spotlight: Red Electrick, Arguably Malta's Biggest Pop-Rock Act Of The 21st Century". Lovin Malta. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  29. Borg, Coryse (5 March 2019). "Red Electrick and The Travellers join forces for unique event". Newsbook.com.mt. Archived from the original on 13 October 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  30. Vassallo, Alvin (10 April 2019). "WATCH: The Travellers and Red Electrick to join forces for first concert of its type". TVM News. Archived from the original on 15 October 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  31. "Reasons why you shouldn't miss out on The Travellers & Red Electric's ONE concert". Malta Daily. 12 September 2022. Archived from the original on 14 October 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  32. "RED ELECTRIC AND THE TRAVELLERS TO JOIN FORCES THIS FRIDAY". Oh My Malta. 27 September 2022. Archived from the original on 14 October 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  33. "What to expect from the ONE concert by Red Electric & The Travellers". Malta Daily. 12 September 2022. Archived from the original on 13 October 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  34. Weenink, Steffie (14 February 2019). "And The Winners Are… Here Are All The People Who Walked Away With A Lovin Malta Social Media Award Today". Lovin Malta. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  35. Diacono, Tim (20 October 2019). "The Travellers Scoop Four Trophies At First-Ever Lovin Music Awards". Lovin Malta. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  36. Lovin Malta (13 November 2019). "Lovin Music Awards 2019: The Travellers' Full Performance" (Video). YouTube. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  37. "MMA 2020 – LIST OF WINNERS". maltamusicawards.mt. 9 March 2020. Archived from the original on 6 July 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  38. Rossitto, Andrea (7 March 2020). "Malta Music Awards successful return – winners announced". TVM News. Archived from the original on 6 July 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  39. Vassallo, Sam (31 May 2020). "The Wait Is Over! Here Are The 2020 Winners Of Lovin Malta Social Media Awards". Lovin Malta. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  40. "And The Winners Of The BMAs Are…." bay.com.mt. 14 May 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  41. The Travellers (30 April 2023). "Din għalikom". Facebook. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
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