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Words with meaning
Protest
songwriter Walter Micallef has just embarked on a series
of concerts which will help finance his forthcoming CD. He spoke
to MIRIAM DUNN about his experience with political satire, taboos,
censorship and how he has mellowed with age…
In our politically polarised environment, anyone who isn’t
afraid to dish out criticism to both sides of the divide tends to
gain a certain amount of admiration.
And when the political jibes are coated in satirical humour and
put to music, an appreciative audience is just about guaranteed.
This was certainly the case when veteran protest singer, Walter
Micallef, entertained the crowds at the Labyrinth bar last Friday,
in the first in a series of evenings of song, which will span the
next few months to help finance his forthcoming CD, due out in August.
Political satire is undoubtedly a firm favourite with his fans,
especially as he does it very well, but it is just one of the subjects
of Walter’s songs, as he explains.
"I write about everything – love, life, human nature,
the environment, whatever comes into my head," he says.
In fact, the singer/songwriter has courted controversy from politicians
of both colours for daring to refer to their manipulative tendencies,
lambasted materialism at Christmas in his number entitled ‘Il
party’ and highlighted the neglect of the south of the island
– a subject close to his heart since he lives in Marsascala.
He has also not been afraid to tackle the taboo subjects of religion
and political controversy, leading to his songs being censored and
bringing about reactions from his family and friends, as he recalls
with a smile.
"There was one particular piece I wrote about the students’
protest in Valletta over the issue concerning the doctors,"
he explains. "I remember that an uncle of mine who was living
in Australia got to hear about it and phoned up in a state of panic,
telling me that I would be responsible for bringing down the government!"
His songs have also been censored in the past – a fact which
he accepts philosophically rather than protests against.
"When it comes to the issue of censorship, I appreciate that
a considerable amount of work has been written or entered for song
festivals, which have a wide audience," he says. "And
it is also a fact that because of my style of writing, many of the
words or expressions in my songs are considered in Maltese to be
rude, so I expect some of them not to get through the screening."
Listening to the intelligent usage he makes of the Maltese language
in his work, it is difficult to imagine that some years back, Walter
made a conscious decision to switch his songwriting from the English
language.
"I suppose it was natural to write in English at the time,
when I began at about 17 and was really just putting words to music
to amuse myself, especially when my main influences were people
like Bob Dylan and Cat Stevens," he explains. "But I believe
one of my other major influences - my grandfather, who sang ‘ghana’
– became more important later when I made the language switch."
Walter began writing in Maltese after a priest, who heard him sing,
encouraged him to participate in the Maltese song festival, ‘L-Ghanja
tal Poplu’ – a contest which Walter has won on a number
of occasions. He readily admits that now, he cannot imagine writing
in English.
Asked whether his work has changed over the years, Walter admits
he believes he has mellowed as he has matured. Is the label protest
singer still an accurate one, I wonder?
"The message is still there, but I have learned from experience,
as everyone does," he answers. "For example, in the past
I allowed my songs to be used for political campaigns, but I don’t
think I would let that be done now."
In line with maturing, Walter admits that his favourite audience
nowadays is a few friends around a barbecue, rather than anything
on a large or superficial scale.
And on the subject of superficial, I cannot resist asking Walter
about his views on the Eurovision song contest, which is just around
the corner.
He smiles.
"I have never entered it and have no intention of doing so,"
he answers. "It is a fact that good songs don’t win. But
I understand why some people want to do it, because it is a step
towards a good contract and sales."
In fact, Walter admits that such avenues beckon local performers,
because it is so difficult for singers to progress in Malta.
"There are so few places to play and, at the same time, concerts
are dwindling," he says.
And how does he feel about cultivating some feelings of animosity
with his targets?
"I think things can get a bit difficult when writers are specific,
or perhaps overstep the mark," he replies. "If you have
a humorous, generic approach, then most things don’t offend.
I passed through phases of being more direct, and I have seen what
ruffles feathers and what passes."
He also believes the current craze for looks and marketing singers
above the vocal talent will also die out.
"People will wake up and yearn for real music again,"
he says.
There is no doubt that real music is what fans will get when Walter’s
CD is launched later in the year. Although he is cagey about telling
me what we can expect to hear, he does give me the name of a couple
of his favourite numbers.
"From my own repertoire, I think probably ‘Iz-zmien’
has a special significance," he says. "I wrote it when
my marriage broke up and it reflects on how things change as time
passes.
"But the song that haunts me most is one I heard as a teenager.
It was called ‘Hondoq ir-rummien’ and dealt with how a
beautiful area was changed by the desalination plant built there.
The song, which tells the story through the eyes of a courting couple,
is still as fresh in my mind today as when I first heard it. In
fact, I hope to feature it on my CD."
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