Bewildered Festival organiser Shawn James chats with Plato’s Dream Machine’s Robert Farrugia Flores about performing at Bewildered, new band members and new material, and performing in Maltese. Plato’s Dream Machine will be performing at Pjazza Teatru Rjal this Friday 28th August at the Bewildered, a music festival organised by the Valletta 2018 Foundation in collaboration with Pjazza Teatru Rjal.

 

You have already performed abroad the ‘Sofar Sounds Malta/London Exchange’, what does performing at ‘Bewildered Music Festival’ mean to you?

Bewildered Music Festival will definitely be this year’s highlight. We’re so looking forward to performing at Pjazza Teatru Rjal and also be part of the debut of this festival amongst other great bands which we admire and support.

 

You’ve hibernated for a bit to write some new material. What can the audience expect from you?

Yes, we have a new band member on keys/snyths now and we have three new songs which we will be performing live at the festival. The audience might be a bit surprised by this new evolution in our song writing.

 

What are your thoughts on mixing foreign with local acts?

From our side, it feels great to be part of this mix. The audience should be excited even more to have this opportunity of experiencing both.

 

We know you perform in Maltese, how important is it for you guys to keep performing in that language?

It has become our trademark. As I am the lyricist of the band, it is more of a personal decision to do so. I find myself more passionate when singing in our native language.

 

Do you think having a foreign audience that does not understand Maltese will limit you in some way?

Well, understanding the lyrics helps as they play quite a central role in our songs. On the other hand, focusing on our sound and hearing words that sound gibberish might be a different experience. Yet, it is an inferior experience no doubt. Still, its what we want to do and we’re happy doing it.

 

You’re opening up for ‘Leave the Planet’ – any thoughts on them?

We’re quite new to Leave the Planet. We’ve got into them and we’re loving them. Looking forward to share the stage with them.

 

If you had to write a song about ‘Bewildered’ in Maltese, would it be an uplifting rock song or more a slow song?

A pure uplifting rock song is not what we do best, yet. But, at the moment we’re moving out of the darkness of GĦERA and exploring a more pop-ish sound. So, I would say it would be something in between.

 

You have already performed abroad the ‘Sofar Sounds Malta/London Exchange’, what does performing at ‘Bewildered Music Festival’ mean to you?

Bewildered Music Festival will definitely be this year’s highlight. We’re so looking forward to perform at Pjazza Teatru Rjal and also be part of the debut of this festival amongst other great bands which we admire and support.

 

You’ve hibernated for a bit to write some new material. What can the audience expect from you?

Yes, we have a new band member on keys/snyths now and we have three new songs which we will be performing live at the festival. The audience might be a bit surprised by this new evolution in our song writing.

 

What are your thoughts on mixing foreign with local acts?

From our side, it feels great to be part of this mix. The audience should be excited even more to have this opportunity of experiencing both.

 

We know you perform in Maltese, how important is it for you guys to keep performing in that language?

It has become our trademark. As I am the lyricist of the band, it is more of a personal decision to do so. I find myself more passionate when singing in our native language.

 

Do you think having a foreign audience that does not understand Maltese will limit you in some way?

Well, understanding the lyrics helps as they play quite a central role in our songs. On the other hand, focusing on our sound and hearing words that sound gibberish might be a different experience. Yet, it is an inferior experience no doubt. Still, its what we want to do and we’re happy doing it.

 

You’re opening up for ‘Leave the Planet’ – any thoughts on them?

We’re quite new to Leave the Planet. We’ve got into them and we’re loving them. Looking forward to share the stage with them.

 

If you had to write a song about ‘Bewildered’ in Maltese, would it be an uplifting rock song or more a slow song?

A pure uplifting rock song is not what we do best, yet. But, at the moment we’re moving out of the darkness of GĦERA and exploring a more pop-ish sound. So, I would say it would be something in between.

Visit the Bewildered official website to get your tickets now!