Each year, the organising committee for the San Lawrenz Feast bestow the prestigious honour of 'Palma tad-Deheb,' from the San Lawrenz parish in Gozo to acknowledge the effort made by young people in the musical sector, this year the award was given to the singing group – The Travellers.
The Travellers, mostly known from their debut single 'Semplicità,' released their debut EP, including 5 original Maltese tracks, last April. From the time the band got together in 2013, it had one aim in mind, that of trying to create something different in the already widely diversified local music scene.
Clayton (Bassist), Joseph (Trumpet), Chris (Main Vocals) and Andrew (Guitarist), were the original members who started playing together, while, Sylvano (saxophone) and Michael (drummer) joined the rest of the band later on in 2013. This marked the inception of The Travellers.
All the members of The Travellers hail from Gozo – Xaghra, Victoria, Kercem, Nadur and Ghasri, and are very frequent commuters, crossing the channel to and from Malta regularly, hence the name of the band seemed the most appropriate and was an obvious choice.
The band started working on a mix of contemporary music while incorporating brass and Maltese lyrics. This had originally started out as more of a curiosity and the band began experimenting with how their melodious tunes would sound when combined with the Maltese language on contemporary rhythms.
Since the inception of the Travellers, the band has released 3 singles titled 'Semplicita,' 'Dak li Int' and 'Xemx u Xita' all of which have topped local charts on both radios and the PRS. The aim behind this project was to change the concept of Maltese diction in music on the islands. This does not mean that the band is restricting their music to Maltese, but, they said, "are leaving all their options open and are excited to see what the future holds"
The award was presented by the Parish Priest Fr Charles Sultana, and Mayor Noel Formosa , during an activity which formed part of the festivities organised to mark the Patron Saint, Saint Lawrence.