Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1082991
14 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 17 FEBRUARY 2019 MUSIC POPULAR Maltese singer- songwriter Mario Debono has launched a crowdfunding campaign on local platform Zaar to help him produce NOLI, a CD collection of his best songs, performed entirely in Maltese. Debono hopes that NOLI will give Maltese music-lov- ers the chance to enjoy time- less, locally-connected songs. "This is a CD collection of 18 songs written in beautiful Maltese, which are suitable for every age and have an ar- tistic value that withstands the test of time," he says. "While the songs are all origi- nal, fresh, and address today's social themes, they are also built around the tonality of the Maltese language, and so are a contribution to Maltese culture." With a lifetime of experience as a singer and songwriter, Mario Debono is a five-time winner of the L-Għanja tal- Poplu festival, has featured in multiple CDs published by YTC, and was a finalist to become the Malta entry for the 6th European Union Cy- prus and Malta Song Festival. In NOLI, Debono's original songs vary in style and ex- plore diverse themes such as family, pastimes, fraud, refu- gees, faith, and the Maltese language itself, but are all in- trinsically-linked to Maltese modern culture. Joining the project's main sponsor, Transcripta Mul- tilingual Translations, the crowdfunding campaign aims to cover the production costs of the NOLI CD and video. The Zaar campaign's funding goal of €3,800 will primar- ily be used for the recording, mixing and mastering of the songs, and the manufacture of the CDs including all photog- raphy, artwork and printing. While some of the cam- paign's funds are also required to cover the CD's launch and the NOLI title song promo- tional video, Debono has pledged that any remaining funds raised will be donated to id-Dar tal-Providenza. While backers to the cam- paign will be supporting Mal- tese music and artists, they will also receive one of a series of attractive rewards for their contribution. With just a €10 donation, they will receive a NOLI CD and booklet, and for €20, it will also be signed. With a €30 pledge, the back- er's name will be printed in the booklet and, for €40, they will also be invited to the CD's launch event and drinks, con- cert, and press conference. Those who contribute €50 to the campaign can expect all the above as well as an invita- tion to an exclusive master- class. Meanwhile, companies that donate €100 will have their logo printed on the CD and cover, while, with a €150 do- nation, they can also have a banner displayed at related events. The package also in- cludes the company logo printed in the booklet, with a €200 contribution. Visitors are invited to see www.zaar.com.mt/projects/ noli/ to make a donation or for further information about the NOLI crowdfunding cam- paign. Singer songwriter crowdfunds CD with original Maltese music Local musician Mario Debono is crowdfunding to create a CD collection of his original Maltese- language songs Mario Debono, with a lifetime of experience as a singer and songwriter "While the songs are all original, fresh, and address today's social themes, they are also built around the tonality of the Maltese language, and so are a contribution to Maltese culture"