The Rise of Lighthouse Band
Have you heard of the hottest band on the block right now? Well, If you haven’t, here is everything you need to know about Lighthouse! Over the last few years, this five-piece band has grown into a cohesive unit of musicians and storytellers, with each member bringing their unique blend of influences and experiences to the fore. The result? A sound that’s as diverse as it is captivating.
The band, comprising Aless Sammut on drums, Ben Borg on bass, Mattei Vella and Shaun Vella on guitars, and Jodie Powell on vocals, was founded by guitarists Mattei and Shaun, who first collaborated during their secondary school graduation ceremony. Over the last five years, they’ve evolved from late teens into early adulthood forming a familial bond along their musical journey. Oh My Malta caught up with the band to find out more!
How would you describe the musical style and influences that shape the unique sound of Lighthouse?
The band’s musical roots lie in rock, yet each member’s diverse influences inject a fusion of styles into our sound, spanning blues, pop, and funk. Our live setlists encompass modern and classical tracks, ranging from Blondie to Red Hot Chili Peppers, creating a dynamic sonic experience.
Aless’ drumming channels the spirit of John Bonham from Led Zeppelin, infuses our music with power and energy that resonates with listeners and fellow musicians alike. Collaborating with Ben, whose bass playing exudes a funky and bluesy vibe, they lay the foundation for every groove we create. A defining feature of our sound is the interplay between Mattei and Shaun’s contrasting guitar styles.
While Mattei draws inspiration from classic rock icons like Slash and Joe Perry, Shaun’s blues influences drawn from artists like Stevie Ray Vaughan and BB King add depth and dimension to our music, resulting in a truly unique auditory experience.
Jodie’s vocals serve as the conduit through which we express our message. Her soulful tone and incredible delivery imbue our music with emotion, shaping the overall sound and evoking a range of feelings in our listeners. We craft an eclectic and cohesive sound unified by our shared passion for music.
Can you share the inspiration behind the name ‘Lighthouse’ for your band?
We really wish we had a better story for this! Lighthouse was thrown out as a random word throughout a brainstorming session and has stuck ever since. Today, it contributes significantly to how we brand ourselves; we have grown to love it.
What has been the most memorable or exciting moment in your musical journey as Lighthouse so far?
Our most memorable experience has been performing at the Farsons Beer Festival for the first time last year. We got the opportunity to tap into a higher-profile gig whilst being able to play our original music. Our thirty-minute set comprised four songs from our catalogue, one unreleased song and a cover.
We played to an audience that consisted of both people who were fans of ours as well as people who had never even heard of us. Nevertheless, every member of that crowd was impressed by our performance. Working in such a professional environment was a fantastic experience, which differs significantly from what we’re used to. We aspire to play more gigs like that one on a more regular basis.
How do you approach the songwriting process within the band?
The songwriting process always starts with a riff or a melody/lyric idea that one of the band members would devise. The theme or concept comes about spontaneously after brainstorming different ideas and approaches we could take. We rarely finish a song from start to finish in one session, mainly because we like to allow some time to determine whether we’re pleased with what we’ve made. Upon revisiting the idea, we iron out the minute details that ultimately carry the song. Most of the process is collaborative between all the band members.
Malta has a rich cultural heritage. How do the Maltese culture and environment influence your music, lyrical content and musical choices?
Even though we might not realise it, our music is heavily influenced by everyday life in Malta. The daily challenges we face, and all the perks we benefit from this island contribute to the messages we share through our music. Whilst most of our writing and playing is spontaneous and unintentionally influenced by our country, we sometimes slow down and reflect on what we are going through and feel, whether good or bad. The experiences we share here are ultimately reflected in our music.
What’s in store for 2024?
This year, we’d like to connect better with our audiences. Previously, gigging has been a vehicle for our enjoyment and fulfilment. Recently, we’ve learned that true fulfilment is achieved by connecting with your audience. We plan to do this by playing more of our original music at our gigs, releasing more music, and honing in on our live performance overall, creating something more of an experience than a playlist you can listen to.
You can come to get a taste of our style this 20 April, at Muddy Waters in Zebbug. It’s a charity event in aid of the M.S. Society. Come say hi and enjoy yourself while listening to some great music!
Want to check them out? You can follow the band here.
