29-July-2004 :

Miriam Christine is what I conjure up in my mind when I think of the term 'success story'.  Her latest album radiates an enthusiasm for life that cannot fail to ruffle your senses like a refreshing summer breeze. From song festival winner to soul sister, Manicmalta invites you to rediscover her through her latest album 'Little Zee'... 

Did singing just happen to you when you were very young or were you quite unaware of your talent until...?

I have been singing for 20 years now. I started singing and learning the piano when I was 6. My mum had noticed that, probably from when I started talking, I was always singing at the top of my voice (using a screwdriver as  a pretend microphone) and dancing around the house. She encouraged me to  participate in a small singing contest in Xaghra, Gozo. I placed first, and  from then on I never looked back. I continued participating in Festivals,  and then the Eurovision happened back in 1996.

Have you ever been through anything more emotionally challenging than
the Eurovision Song Festival?

The Eurovision experience was quite emotionally challenging, but I have to  admit that I wasn't quite aware of what was happening to me at the time. I  was only 17 and it was just an exciting adventure. Probably finding my family in Brazil last year was the most emotional experience I  ever had and it's long term. There are issues I'm still coming to terms with a year later. Also, when I got married to my wonderful husband, that was quite emotional too.

If you had to take a one year break from singing how would you spend it?

I would go to Brazil again. It's a fantastic place and I can't wait to go back. I love the music, the scenery and football of course (I'm a huge fan).  But mostly I love the people - they are so laid back and so happy ALL the  time, despite the hardships they face day in, day out. When we were there last December (my husband and I spent our honeymoon there), we visited a samba school in Rio and it was a fantastic experience. There were at least 2 thousand people (from 3 year olds to people over 80) dancing and playing percussions for 3 whole hours (this school features in the 'What We really Mean' music video). It was mind-blowing! I  want to go back!!!

The name 'Little Zee' must have a deeper meaning! Would you share it
with us?

'Zee' comes from the pet-name my husband has for me (well, it's 'Zebedee' really, but that's too long!). 'Zebedee' was a character - who used to hop on a  spring - from an animated TV series called 'Magic Roundabout' (soon to be remade as a feature length film) which my husband used to watch back in England when he was a little boy. It's basically a reference to my bouncy curls! Also, 'Little Zee' is one of the characters' names in one of my favourite films 'City of God' which is a Brazilian film (the character's name is 'Lil Ze'). Mostly though, 'Little Zee' personifies the  new Miriam Christine with her new music, and also, with her new
personality, image and feelings. I feel more assertive now than I was ever before, and  also, I feel stronger and so much more confident about my music because at last I am doing the music I always wanted to do.

The videos are brilliant! Shall we be seeing them on foreign TV stations?

I would love that, but it's very hard to have them broadcast on foreign stations (like for example MTV) because they mostly show videos of artists  who are signed with record labels or at least have some sort of distribution deal going on. At the moment, that is what I am concentrating on (especially now that I got the album out and most of the promotion is under way). I want to try and get a record deal. I know it is  very hard, but I want to give it my best shot and see what happens.

Fact File

Miriam Christine’s new album, ‘Little Zee’ is out on release and is available through various retail outlets (including Exotique and D’Amato) and online through sites such as di-ve.com.  

Describing the album, Miriam Christine says “The style has an R&B influence, but R&B is a very generic term nowadays. There are influences such as funk, soul and even a hint of rock music here and there. We wanted to give ourselves plenty of room for experimenting and exploring different styles to marry with R&B and I’m very satisfied with the results”.          

Producer and musician Boris Cezek developed the tracks after Miriam Christine had written the music and Miriam Christine is keen to point out that “Boris added a lot to this album. He took my desire to explore R&B and did something different to the norm. We were constantly surprised with how the tracks were developing… and that was such a great feeling of excitement. He brought a lot of musical knowledge and character to the project”.

The latest single to be released from the album’s 15 tracks is ‘Hush’, an up-tempo summer tune. The song is playing on radio stations now and a music video has been produced to accompany the release.

“We were very lucky to receive the support we did for this video; Westin Dragonara Resort allowed us to film within the hotel (visually, this was the ideal location), Muscat Motors let us use a BMW Z4 sports car and Ray Ashley made a dress to our requirements. Through Sarah Camilleri, members of the Funkadelic dance company worked hard to provide us with the choreography we needed… and the rest of the cast and crew worked their socks off. As I said… we were very lucky.”

Miriam Christine would like to thank her sponsors; Artist(e) hair products, Nee Make Up, Spikes hair salon, Unitel, and Visual Impact production company for their support.

For more information visit: www.miriamchristine.com

Exclusive interview for Manicmalta by Richard