22-Mar-2005 :

What better way to gear up for Eurovision fever than to interview Malta's envoy - Chiara? She's one talented singer/composer that's for sure. Needs no introduction nor our warm wishes or cheering to excel in her performance. She's as sure footed as a billy goat and knows exactly what success tastes like. Follow me as I disrupt her very busy schedule to get to know her better ;)

"The one that I love" made 1998 a very special year. Malta not only got its first real taste of the power and sweetness of your voice but was also captivated by your personal pulling power, your confident stage presence, your excellent delivery and your historical 'wink' ;) It was a huge success but was there anything you'd have loved to do differently at the time? 

1998 and ‘The One That I Love’ was a great experience for me. Each song and performance has its own moment in time and I have very fond memories of  1998. However I prefer to look to the future and to think what ‘Angel’ may bring.

What was Chiara like in her early teens? Were you already nurturing a natural talent or did you stumble into the music arena by pure chance and hard work?

I have been singing ever since I can remember, at home, at school and to my friends. I was and still am pleasantly surprised at the reaction of the people when they hear my voice.

Once again the Eurovision Song contest phobia is slowly creeping in; Doubts were expressed about the validity of the latest 'no jury' voting system, complaints about power cuts made it to the 8 o'clock news, the usual sceptics talking all gloom and doom... Ultimately the actual song contest is always typified by blatant neighbourly voting. What do you make of all this?

Hmmmmmmm, three questions in one. There are many arguments for and against 100% tele-voting. I tend to favour the system because it reflects what most countries (if not all) will be using on the night in Kiev. Power cuts are not my issue. Neighbouring voting has and will probably always be an integral part of the ESC. It is something that we all have to live with. Malta and other countries that do not benefit from neighbouring voting has achieved credible results in the past in particular in 1992, 1998 and 2002. I believe that when you win you do so 
honourable and when you lose you lose graciously like I did in 1998.

With all the system's defects it is still a highly effective shot of prime time to well voted artists both locally but more importantly abroad. I don't know whether they were simply rumours but word had reached my ears that 'The one that I love' was used on British TV as a soundtrack for some production. In that case the exposure must have been substantial and the feedback rewarding. Is this true? Did you make any useful music contacts since then thanks to the festival?

International exposure often brings different opportunities. Some people I came to know at that time were actually very helpful for me to make contacts with well-known songwriters some of which feature on my soon to be released album. Who know what this year will bring.

Of course the optimists are once again geared up for Malta placing first! (Wiccna tost!) How does all the enthusiasm make you feel. Are you once again cool, calm and collected or just a teeny bit anxious of facing an enormous audience with Malta's weight on your shoulders?

There is always a ‘furia’ of over-enthusiasm before any competition that in some way makes me feel a little uncomfortable. I have no great expectations. I only have hope. The most important thing for me is to give the best performance that I can that will make the people proud. I have only 100% to give. No-one can ask for more. The rest is in the hands of the voting public.

Any plans to 'wink' again this time. I think you should! It felt like receiving a personal subliminal message from Chiara that 'all is ok 
folks' :)

I think the wink worked in ’98 but to repeat the same thing again would be a mistake and would seem passé. Angel is a different type of song that has
its own merits.

I am personally very glad that this year's result reflected talent and wasn't governed by less clothing or the sexiest belly button (even though many had a go at that). Does that style of participation cause you grief?

No, not really. Every artist and/or performance has its own strong selling point. Mine is a powerful voice that hopefully touches people’s hearts. Music as in every type of art is subjective. To each his own.

Thanks Chiara. And Good Luck!
Interview for Manicmalta.com by Richard Borg on 22-Mar-2005