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MT 18 June 2017

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maltatoday, SUNDAY, 18 JUNE 2017 39 Beangrowers are a Maltese indie band which has certainly withstood the test of time. What was the scene like when you guys first started? The scene was very different. In fact, there wasn't really any specific indie scene. It was a mix of metal, punk and alternative bands all performing together. There were fewer bands and less of an idea of how things worked. Was there a particular moment when you felt like you'd truly 'made it' as a band? You never really "make it", but some years back we had a huge gig in Vienna and we got in the taxi and the driver said "I know where you guys are going". Also having [cult German film director] Wim Wenders being a huge fan, dancing and singing in the front row of a concert of ours was quite insane. How would you describe your experience of establishing yourselves – and a fanbase – abroad, and what kind of perspective has this given you on the local musical scene? The first perspective was humbling ourselves to realising that there's many 'known' bands struggling to make ends meet, and seeing them give 101% at every gig, no matter the circumstances. The lo- cal scene takes itself a little too seriously at times and can tend to focus a lot of its energy on provincial issues. Do you think it's at all feasible for local musicians to pursue a full-time career in music? What advice would you give aspiring Maltese musicians? Definitely we'd advise it. It's not easy to sell many records in 2017, however there's money in film-sync, live gigs and soundtracks and if it's what you love, then you have to do it anyway! The only advice we'd give is, be nice and easy to work with and get used to rejec- tion. Smile a lot and genuinely love people. People work with people they like. Write loads and loads of songs. If you only write 10 songs a year, maybe you should be do- ing something else. How has your sound developed over the years, and what's next for Beangrowers? We've evolved from our teenage punk sound, through writing love songs, to a more raw stripped down sound. We re- cord our new EP, maybe album, in July 2017 and play a few gigs. Beangrowers will be performing alongside The Velts on June 25 at The Garage, Zebbug. Doors open at 19:30 and entrance is at €8 This Week Film Ahead of an upcoming gig in Zebbug, Malta's most long-standing indie rock band, Beangrowers, speak to TEODOR RELJIC about establishing a fanbase abroad and why musicians who write fewer than ten songs a year should consider packing it in Embracing the stripped-down sound PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARK CASHA Rampant over- development at the forefront of local short film Written and directed by Jamie Vella, Arcadia will be screened as part of the Valletta Film Festival WITH a highly topical subject at its centre and a young filmmaker at its helm, the Mal- tese short film Arcadia is set to be a worth- while watch as it screens at the Valletta Film Festival – currently ongoing in various ven- ues across the capital city. A father (Malcolm Ellul) and son (Nathan Ellul) finally achieve their dream of moving out and living in the idyllic Maltese country- side. Yet this dream of peace and simplicity soon turns into a nightmare, as the booming and unforgiving construction industry of the country quickly sets its sights on their land. The film takes as its cue what writer-direc- tor Jamie Vella describes as the "tragic and helpless" local scenario of Malta's natural landscape, as a toxic cocktail of "corruption and capitalism" spills over into the life of the protagonist – Philip – who yearns to keep the unspoilt land he owns away from the clutches of greedy developers. The 25-minute short – whose Director of Photography is Matthew Muscat Drago and which features music by Sean Vella – also aims to show the sheer indifference of nature to the plight of humanity – both that of the developers, and of Philip himself. Forming part of the official selection for this year's edition of the Valletta Film Festi- val, Arcadia will be screened as part of 'Short Film Programme A' on June 21 at Spazju Kreattiv, St James Cavalier, Valletta at 14:30. For bookings and more information, log on to: http://www.vallettafilmfestival.com/ film/short-film-programme-a/ Malcolm Ellul as Philip in Arcadia

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