21-July-2005 :

Dunno when, how or why we crossed each other's paths but writing an article about Nadine Axisa seemed a very sensible thing to do next. Nadine isn't just good looking (angelic-looking I might add). She's a UOM graduate with a musical talent and a natural poise for modelling. And its not just any kind of music she's after as we found out. Find out for yourself...

Dear Nadine. I'm not too sure whether I know you all that well. Maybe you first got my attention through modelling, or was it as a TV personality? - wait I think I heard you singing professionally first... Oh I'm confused HELP!

My launching to the local music scene was when I was 16, as a singer. After that, a couple of local companies involved in modelling and marketing started to show interest in me, and I did some adverts and other modelling assignments. But I honestly think that modelling is not my scene. Give me the stage, a great band and there I am, in heaven…

So, from the bottom of your heart, are you more into singing than anything else? What do you REALLY enjoy doing?

Yes you are right! Apart from my full time job I’m more into singing. Well I actually don’t have much time left for other hobbies. One also needs to relax and spend time with family and friends. But I love my job and obviously the singing, so I’m happy to be leading an interesting lifestyle. I hope more exciting things are in store for me!

Given a choice would you rather perform your favourite style of music to a small local crowd as opposed to performing something you utterly hate to a large international audience?

Definitely the first option. I love jazz music and have most recently ventured into the American standards and jazz scene. Last year I contributed to the very successful concert and CD launch of “The Beatles Works” interpreting songs by the famous fab four, arranged in a jazzy style. Here I’m proud to have worked with local jazz musicians namely Vinny Vella Jnr, Walter Vella, Noel Grech and Mario Cocker Aquilina.

When I sing in these jazz concerts, a large crowd is never expected, yet we had a full house every night. When I’m doing the music I love, and get a great feedback, this really sets my soul on fire. Jazz attracts a selective audience, and since this was a relatively new venture for me, it was fulfilling to get such good reviews. On the other hand I love to sing all styles, and performing in front of a large crowd is a separate experience and is exciting in its own way. After all it’s good to give the public what they want to hear; it’s very important and that’s what we do in hotels: I adapt the style according to the audience, for example I sing standards when the age ranges from 50 to 60’s. They simply love it. I try to be versatile. The performances that I look forward to most are those which are non-competitive.

Photo: Nadine - Italian concert

Speaking of international audiences; which experiences overseas do you treasure most?

In November 2002 I represented Malta in Prague singing in the Universe Talent Song Festival, placing third. I’m really happy to have done well. Singers from all over the world compete in this festival and most of them have a great voice, and a good song and you think “Wow! I really have a good competition here!” It was a great experience and Prague is definitely charming.

I have also performed with the William Mangion Band in Piazza del Popolo, Rome with other bands from around Europe. We were accompanied by a big number of Maltese musicians and we really had a good time. The more the merrier as they say! We went all around Rome by foot, had a good suntan and some really good laughs. I will always treasure the pictures of this trip.

In September 2003 I sang with veteran musician Vinny Vella Snr band in London as part of Malta Day Celebrations under the patronage of Dr Eddie Fenech Adami and my most recent performance abroad was in Corinthia Bab Africa in Tripoli accompanied by Vinny Vella Jnr Trio as part of the Malta Week. Both trips were really good especially Tripoli. We Maltese sometimes have a bad feeling about Libya, but if the country was less neglected, it would really become a popular tourist resort. It’s a beautiful place with kilometers of sandy beaches. It’s also nice to be in a country with a different culture and experiencing different people. We ate so much during that week!

And have you always travelled simply to perform or do you actually look forward to travelling for the fun of it? Any happy memories of a special trip or two?

I definitely look forward to it as a holiday, especially when the company is good. Actually the best holidays I had were some of those I mentioned above, cause when the company is good, the holiday is meant to be great. All these trips have something really special, each one with its own special memory.

Photo: Visit to Rome with William Mangion Band

Photo: Universe Talent Song Festival in Prague, with other participants

Now I believe many women would love to have your figure! So in case some of them actually manage this rather difficult feat and decide to steal your wardrobe what would they find?

Well, let’s not exaggerate about the figure please! I must have a fast metabolism because I really love my food! But I do my best to avoid chocolates and junk food and have been lately also doing some exercise. (I hope I manage to keep this once a week gym thing!) Well as regards to the contents of my wardrobe, you’d find nothing out of this world. I love to wear rather simple clothes, very casual, mostly jeans and tops. Because of the singing in weddings, functions etc I have quite a good number of elegant dresses.

I love accessories and hats. I also love shoes but hate the ones with high heels because these tend to induce backache, probably due to the fact of spending too much time standing when singing. I go hunting for low heels preferably stilettos. I have quite a large variety of clothes but often I end up wearing the same stuff, probably because I like that particular garment very much…

Photo: Fiona & Nadine in Malta Song for Europe 2005

Do you live by designer labels or do you prefer keeping your options open?

No I don’t look for designer labels. The most important thing is that I feel good and comfortable in what I’m wearing. I get a lot of clothes from abroad and really go mad for markets. I’ve got some really original tops, hats and accessories from markets all around Europe.

Besides performing do you also keep up with a full-time work schedule? If yes how the heck do you manage!

Yes, right after graduating I started working in the environmental field, specifically air quality. I really love my job. It’s very interesting, and I can still apply the science I have learnt, and grow in my knowledge by dealing with new issues, meeting new people and dealing with different circumstances. Like any other job, it can also be stressful but you can’t get the cake and eat it right?

Well I admit I have a hard time to manage with both the work and the singing sometimes. It depends on the time of year. If I’m taking part in a festival, it will be a stressful time. Yet this does not compare to the stress caused with exams and festivals at the same time. I guess I learnt this trick of time management since I was a child; I used to stay after school for musicals and choir rehearsals. Well I think life is all about priorities. One just has to decide what is the most important issue at that particular time. Sometimes it’s not the work or the singing, it can be the family or personal relationships which have to be given priority.

Ever felt too sleepy or grumpy or simply fed up. That's it pack my bags.

No I never felt that way honestly. Life’s too short to be feeling that way! I’m very easy to please so I don’t get bored in life cause I take pleasure with the simplest things. Well, I have such a busy life that it’s difficult to get bored!

If you had to stop performing what would your future hold? On the other hand what are your current plans as things stand

Well it would be really sad if I had to stop performing cause music’s a part of me now. But no one knows what could happen. Well I guess I would have more time for myself in that case. I would travel more and probably continue my studies. As things stand, my motto is to live day by day. I would like to do something of my own like an album or a small concert. Maybe I should start planning something this summer….

Given the choice of any of the following prizes what would you choose between (decisions decisions!):
a) A luxury villa in Spain
b) An extreme makeover + lifetime membership to a luxury spa / gym
c) A Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren

To be honest none of the above excites me, I’m not in for money and riches. But if I were really pushed to make a choice, I would choose the villa in Spain, to have a good excuse for a frequent holiday! The gym and spa would be included in the villa. The car honestly does not have any effect on me, I’m happy with the one I presently own, thank you!

Now here's the catch: Cheeky question - grin grin Would any of these prizes be adequate compensation for donning obscenely sexy underwear on a local cat walk with guaranteed front-page coverage?

No I wouldn’t do that! I give up the villa! I honestly think that I, or better any other woman, do not need to wear such underwear to be and look sexy. I would do the front page thing but wearing something decent…So much for imagination! It’s definitely more exciting…it’s the expression that the person carries which makes the picture sexy and leaves much to the imagination….

Thanks Nadine!
Interview for Manicmalta.com by Richard Borg on 21-July-2005

Nadine's home on the web