A Sit-Down with Kantera

Local band Kantera sit down in an exclusive interview with Muzika Media. They recount their origins, experiences, influences and give us a taste of their future plans.

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Speaking about their foundations, Kantera hold firm that their inspiration lies in the Maltese culture and tradition. This is evident in their use of the Maltese language as well as a harmonious fusion of Maltese folk instruments in par with electronic instruments which gives Kantera their unique style. Kantera described their proud Maltese foundation as largely two- fold: upholding and promoting the Maltese language, especially through the incorporation of Maltese idioms and proverbs in their works; and, the fusion of traditionally Maltese instruments with more modern ones. In fact, their music includes the use of the piano- accordion, keyboards, saxophone, aerophone, mandolin, violin, electric and base guitars, Malta’s traditional flejguta and zafzafa instruments, percussions as well as lead and backing vocals.

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Discussing the beginning of their musical career as a group, emphasise their vision to merge Maltese folklore with the evolving times. ‘We were inspired by the younger generations. Some of the band members are involved in folklore musical groups and we always appreciated how teens who were interested in folk music were also eager to see it in fusion with fresher sounds’, they claim. Testament to this is the band’s highly unique timbre which instantly gives it that trademark attributable to Kantera. The blend of fusion can clearly be seen in their original singles ‘L-Ewwel Jien’, 'Tkun 'L Hawn Għaddi', and ‘Tliet Kitarri u Mandolina’.

Asked how they describe their style of playing, Kantera truly brought out the diversity in their influences, stating that their composition finds inspiration from a fusion between a number of genres, namely reggaeton, pop, folk and also swing.