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maltatoday | SUNDAY • 16 FEBRUARY 2020 4 THIS WEEK MUSIC TEODOR RELJIC speaks to genre-hopping local act Kill the Action about the dynamics of their unique sound, the challenges local musicians face and what we can expect from their debut full-length album, Anti-Gravity, out from Bristol- based label Forbidden Musical Rites on February 19 Rattling your inner self How would you describe your sound to people who have never heard you – or of you – before? It is definitely hard-hitting and intended to keep you on the edge of your seat. Big up-tempo beats provide a backbone for fat synth sounds, low frequencies intended to rattle your inner self, and a healthy dose of guitar sounds. Since we perform as a live band, the output is essen- tially our take on bridging the gap between our musical roots and the world of electronica… the inevitable gap between man and machine. When did you first get togeth- er as a band, and what were some of the ways in which your sound began to shape itself in its earlier stages? The band was formed around five years ago. Throughout the years we have experimented with various arrangements in an attempt at finding the right balance between different elec- tronic influences and our wish to create something different. Over the years, the band's ear- lier 'electro-rock' approach has gained more of an electronic component and vibe to it. This has, in turn, led to more focus being placed on the type of beats used, on the care- ful construction of hooks and breakdowns, as well as on cre- ating a unique vibe and attitude. What excites you the most about your upcoming debut full length album, Anti-Grav- ity, and how would you say it differs from your 2018 EP release, For All You People? 'Anti-Gravity' will be released on February 9 by Forbidden Musical Rites, a Spanish record label based in Bristol (UK). This has shaped our approach towards the promotion and marketing of the album, whilst also providing an opportunity to test the waters on an inter- national level. Hopefully, this will also pave the way for the next step in the band's evolution. Whereas our EP, 'For All You People' was based on a more rock-oriented approach, the core of 'Anti-Gravity' is more electronic, dynamic and up-tempo, with tighter rhythm sections, more 'low-end', and a greater dose of Drum & Bass. This shift has led us to ex- periment with an approach to song-writing which is more production-based at the very outset of the development of a particular concept, and, there- fore, less reminiscent of a tra- ditional approach which one would expect from a four-piece electro-rock band. How do you hope that the album will be received locally – and hopefully, interna- tionally – given that you've seriously dialed up the dance and electronica elements this time around? We have already received very positive feedback on an international level, particularly from members of the Drum & Bass community. The signing of a record deal obviously al- so helped to expand our reach, both in terms of promotion, as well as in terms of gaining greater insight into the work- ings of the underground music industry. The greater emphasis placed on the electronic aspect of the band's sound has also steered our focus and atten- tion on the creation of mate- rial which is more rhythm and groove-oriented and which is intended to get you out of your seat and onto the dance floor. What do you make of the local musical scene? What would you change about it? It is no secret that the last few years have seen an even more rapid decline in the number of venues which are equipped to host live performances. A number of other smaller ven- ues are equipped for the basic needs of 'plug-and-play' bands, but not for the needs of bands Teodor Reljic "Local FM radio stations are, as ever, still focused on regurgitating the same formula and type of music which will, most probably, not even be considered to have contributed or formed part of this era's pop culture"