Malta’s most enviable export, Chasing Pandora, bring an exquisite collection of superb musical masterpieces to UK shores with the arrival of their latest album, ’The Driver and the Dancer’, released on 1 March, preceded by the stunning single, ‘Escape’ out on 15 February. Following hot on the heels of the band’s single success in 2009, and with a live gig secured at The Freedom Studio at The Roundhouse in the New Year, ‘The Driver and the Dancer’, cements Chasing Pandora’s status as the best ever Maltese band to hit Great Britain.
Chasing Pandora are Maltese born duo, Melissa Portelli and Keith Anthony, both from Gozo. With Melissa’s emotion-ripping lyrical penning and honest, but gripping vocals, akin to the likes of Suzanne Vega and Tori Amos; inter-twined with Keith’s multi-instrumental mastery, Chasing Pandora, are a triumphant fusion of folk/pop perfection.
The lyrical depth and honesty delivered by Chasing Pandora, is the result of a life of heart-crushing torment endured by lyricist, Melissa, who experienced her older brother’s brutal murder when he was just 27-years-old. His death spiraled Melissa into a chasm of despair and depression, with music being her only comfort. By the time Melissa finally met with band member, Keith, her experience had already made her wise beyond her years – the ultimate gift that can be bestowed on a lyrical genius. Now the band impart their gift to their eagerly awaiting British fans, in the form of the mind-blowing, ‘The Driver and the Dancer’.
Delivering a spell-binding mix of folk/pop, intoxicatingly oozing its way through glorious tales of gritty real-life emotions, ’The Driver and the Dancer’, proudly boasts a culmination of twelve beautiful tracks; all of which stand strong on their own, whilst forming part of an overall musical jigsaw when brought together – there’s definitely no ‘album fillers’ here.
Dedicated to her daughter, baby Asia Rain, Melissa cascades a lifetime of worldly-wisdom into the diverse spectrum of tracks on this collection. From the title track, ‘The Driver and the Dancer’, which was influenced by a London cabbie and a chamber maid on a recent trip to London, to love songs such as, ‘Running In Circles’, ‘Burning Skies’ and ‘The Distance Between Us’; right through to exploration of the world around us in, ‘Tree’, which sees the world from a tree’s perspective and ‘Time’ which touches on the brevity of life, this album knows no boundaries and refuses to conform to convention. As Keith comments, “This album wouldn’t let anyone steer it – we started off with a vision but ultimately the songs dictated their own colour and texture. ‘The Driver and the Dancer’ has made its own way into the world and has written its own storyline.”
‘The Driver and the Dancer’, is real-life musical beauty, the kind that can only be found in a heart that’s been sent on a journey of life’s deepest darkest emotions and returned to enjoy and relish the joy that simply ‘being alive’ can bring. This album is special. Musically superb and lyrically untouchable, ‘The Driver and the Dancer’ is a classic that’s sure to remain a precious possession to anyone who hears it.
Catch Chasing Pandora live as they play The Roundhouse on 11 February 2010.
The single, ‘Escape’, is released on 15 February.
The album, ‘The Driver and the Dancer’’, is released on 1 March.
For more information visit: www.myspace.com/chasingpandora or chasingpandora.com