The Christmas week 2017 Global Vibe Radio guest mix comes from the Mediterranean island of Malta, located in between Italy and the northern coasts of Africa. The island has an effervescent music scene that has been exploding as of recent, and guest Carl Bee is a perfect testament of that.
Carl has been busy in the studio in 2017Ā with releases on Saved Records, Lapsus Music, Lost Records,Ā Time Has Changed, 303 Lovers,Ā CR2 and Deep Visionz Recordings and regular support from artists such as Dubfire, Groove Armada, Nic Fanciulli, Claude Von Stroke, Marco Carola, Josh Butler and many more. The end of the year has seen him release an EP on Carl Cox’s Intec, with a second scheduled for release on ABODE in January of 2018.
Kind enough to provide us a live recording from BLACK at The Playground Club in Malta, Carl also took the opportunity to chat with us a little about Malta and what is going on with his life currently.
Download the mix for FREE here and read on for the interview.
Hey Carl, thanks for the chat. Ready for the holiday season?
Yes definitely, Itās always a busy period during these days though, but canāt complain really, our job is fun to do!
Playing any cool gigs in December?
Been doing my āBEE NYEā show in Malta for the past 7 years now, every year becomes more special, Itās nice to see all the familiar faces and close friends around while playing the last tunes of 2017 , so Iām quite looking forward to that!
Where will you be when the clock strikes midnight?
Since Iāll be doing the midnight countdown of my show, Iāll be dropping the first track for 2018
You’re one of the most recognized if not THE most recognized DJ from Malta, an island and country not many people in the U.S. even know exists probably! How was it growing up there?
My childhood was quite a normal one. Giving priority to school, family and sports in which eventually led to Music as well. Being a small Island can help you gain attention quickly if your playing your cards well , but you can be replaced easily as well so like everything and everywhere else you need to be consistent. People most likely know each other since we have a very small population. Weather is great all year round basically, we barely have Winter season.
I think in a way Iām lucky to be living on this beautiful island
What do you feel defines a Maltese? What kind of people are they?
Malta is very close to Sicily and south of Italy. We are very similar to Italians and also English people since Malta used to be an English Colony till the mid ’60s . Our little island has a lot of History and Culture with temples older than the pyramids of Egypt. These temples more thanĀ 5500 yearsĀ old and the world’s second oldest existing manmade structure in the world , but apart from this one thing that defines us a Maltese is definitely our language which is mix between Italian, Spanish, English, Arabic and French.
With the mystery surrounding the island, for us here in the States at least, we have to ask: how is the house and techno scene there? I have seen some pretty big lineups arrive as of recent including Annie Mac’s festival and the like but on any given weekend where and how do the Maltese party?
Our club scene is has been having a strong build up considering the size of our population (450,000). We have a number club shows happening on weekly basis ranging from Techno to house and more mainstream commercial stuff.
In the last years we also have seen top International festivals happening in Malta like Annie Macās Lost and Found Festival, Creamfields, IMS College and more. We also hold a weekly Summer Club Night called GRINGOS at Uno Village which hosts Special Guest Artist on week in week out like Joris Voorn, Green Velvet , Dubfire and Kolsch amongst others!!
What do you feel was the decisive moment/occurrence that catapulted your career outside of Malta and into International waters so as to speak?
For sure the constant flow of releases on some really good record labels such as Saved, Lost records, Lapsus, Time Has Changed and CR2 which most of them where supported by the biggest DJs in the industry like Pete Tong, Solomun, Marco Carola, Carl Cox, Dubfire, Annie Mac, Joris Voorn and Nic Fanciulli. I think the music is the major key factor of it all, than being so consistent through your gigs and performances also helped out!
You have an amazing release on Intec coming up, how has that been for you?
2018 is looking great so far. Having music confirmed on this level of Labels means so much for me, INTEC is definitely one of the strongest labels out there!
The artists that have supported your music are varied in sound. Do you feel that you have a sound of your own and if so, how would you describe it?
I always try to be different in some ways when making music without overdoing it, although I was very surprised that my music was getting played by a list of big names, I canāt say that at the moment I have my own sound, but if its happening, Iām sure that itās coming gradually and naturally!
I want to keep a balance between genres and not pigeon hole myself into one specifically. Always a challenge to make music that is considered as crossover!!
Thanks for the mix by the way, what was going through your head while putting it together?
This mix was recorded live at BLACK , the Monthly residency that I have at the Playground in Malta where I play long sets and this time around it was a 6 house set. Here you have a 60 mins cut from it!
The club intimate set up gives me the ability to play with freedom to risk and express myself more musically without any bounderies.
By the way, weird I haven’t asked yet but do you still live in Malta?
Yes I am, I love it here!
What are some things you like to do on days you don’t work on music?
Either watch a movie or football (soccer in your case), even sometimes I get to spend some time on Playstation playing FIFA.
Do you like any other genre of music that isn’t electronic? Any favorite artists?
I like bands and stuff from Jamiroquai, Rufus, The xx and London Grammar .. Still electronic in a way but love other alternative stuff also.
Where would do you want to be when the clock strikes midnight on Dec 31st of next year?
Definitely playing !! Hopefully will still be doing my NYE show.
Any other career goals we can hold you accountable to in the next few years?
Yes I have some new projects in the pipeline which I canāt reveal much about for now but a lot of strong releases and gigs are coming for sure!
