Nosnow/noalps

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nosnow/noalps are an indie rock band from Malta, formed in 2006. The band consists of Nick Morales (vocals, guitars), Sarah Falzon (vocals, keyboards, keytar), Daniel Cassar (bass) and Darko Strnisa (drums, percussions). nosnow/noalps play a mixture of indie rock, sometimes fused with dub/reggae and ska elements.

The band has released one studio EP, entitled (just rock) (2007), and is currently working on their as yet untitled debut album, to be released in 2011.

nosnow/noalps have been nominated for Best New Artist and Best Video (for the single 'Headset's video) in the 2008 edition of Malta Music Awards and for Best Newcomer in the 2008 edition of the Bay Music Awards.

nosnow/noalps

History

2006: Formation

Nick Morales and Daniel Cassar, previously played in two other bands together, namely Noetic and Dripht. When Dripht decided to take an extended break, they formed a new band to continue to work together. Shortly after the band was formed they approached Darko Strnisa to join on drums after watching him play at a number of jamming sessions at Naasha Events Lounge, who agreed.

In December 2006, after working on a few songs, the need for someone to assist in vocal duties and keyboards was felt and the then unnamed band approached a mutual friend Sarah Falzon to join.


2007: First EP and Live Shows

The band settled on the name nosnow/noalps. It originally stemmed from Nick watching the Al Gore documentary 'An Inconvenient Truth', and shortly after flying over the Alps on the way to Leeds, noticing that, in fact, there was no snow on the alps in January. Contributing to the choice was also the fact that it served as reference to the warm, low elevated island of Malta.

In early 2007, nosnow/noalps booked studio time for November at Temple Studios with David Vella to produce the first EP, and hence started working to polish six songs, Dig Into, Taking my Time, Headset, Dance All Over You, Lights On and Ever So. Meanwhile the band also began performing shows in Malta, and their first live appearance was at Poxx Bar on the 29th of June 2007, as supporting act for The Areola Treat, playing a short 30 minute set, with the six EP songs, and two covers 'Kingston Town' and 'Norwegian Wood'. There was another appearance at Rookies Sports Bar later that year, with a one-off appearance of the song It's just a....

The band entered the studio that November and record a 6-track EP, entitled (just rock). Produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by David Vella, the EP was finished by the end of the year. Artwork was illustrated and designed by Jimmy Grima and released under local indie label Reciprocal Records.

2008: EP release, Denmark Shows

In January 2008, nosnow/noalps flew to Copenhagen, Denmark to play two shows at Christianshavns Beboerhus on the 24th, and Hatten Bar, Grønjordskollegiet, on the 25th, with bass duties for these shows being filled by Steve Shaw (Retrophytes, The Areola Treat). The (just rock) EP was subsequently launched on the 22nd of February at Poxx Bar, Paceville, with special guests Dominoes. It also marked the completion of the video for 'Taking my Time', directed by Slavko Vukanovic.

In April nosnow/noalps played three shows, one of which was supporting the Beangrowers on their 'Not In A Million Lovers' album launch, at which they collaborated on a cover of the Turtles' "Happy Together".

That summer saw nosnow/noalps perform at the Isle of MTV Malta Music week street party in Paceville, with Bitterside and Cable 35, and at the Farsons Beer Festival. After that, the band directed and produced their own video for 'Headset' which subsequently got nominated for Best Video at the Malta Music Awards that year.

By the end of the year, nosnow/noalps were nominated for Best Newcomer and Best Video ("Headset") at the Malta Music Awards, and as Best Newcomer at the Bay Music Awards. They were invited to perform at both ceremonies.

2009-present: Album

In January 2009, (just rock) was voted 'Best EP' for 2008 on Toni Sant's MMI 2008 Listeners' Picks Poll.

March 2009 saw the band playing at the launch of the new MTV mobile brand, and subsequently, the track 'Dig Into' was chosen for a series of adverts on local media.

In September 2009, as the band was preparing to leave for Austria to play in Linz, with Red Electrick and Ira Losco, Daniel had to be replaced temporarily by Ivan Borg (Red Electrick) due to illness.

In October nosnow/noalps decided to start work on a full-length album to be recorded the following year.

Song writing began in January, stopped in June for a pre-studio warm up gig playing with Age of Orange (Germany), with drum duties temporarily filled in by Chris Busuttil (The Areola Treat), and the first recording session began July, recording 6 of the songs. Between July and December 2010, 9 songs were written and subsequently recorded in December through January 2011. The album was produced and mixed by David Vella at Temple Studios.

Romantikpolitik will be released on 16 April 2011 during a launch gig by Nosnow/noalps at Beach Haven, Xemxija. The event will also feature performances by Stolen Creep and Red Electrick and DJ sessions by Davide Zane.

Musical Style

nosnow/noalps primary genre is indie rock, but they also integrate dub,reggae and ska, and more recently, motown and northern soul elements. The band's influences range from The Cure, The Clash, Gang of Four, The Jam, The Style Council, The Wannadies, The Cardigans, Nirvana, Blur, The Police, Rage against the machine and Muse.

Band Members

  • Nick Morales - vocals, guitar
  • Sarah Falzon - vocals, keyboard, keytar
  • Daniel Cassar - bass
  • Darko Strnisa - drums

Discography

  • (just rock) EP - (2008)
  1. Dig Into
  2. Headset
  3. Taking My Time
  4. Dance All Over You
  5. Lights On
  6. Ever So
  • ROMANTIKPOLITIK - (2011)
  1. Lumerino
  2. Elizabeth, I
  3. Look Down Below
  4. Cherry Tree
  5. Far Into The Night (WIthout You)
  6. Dorothy's Machines
  7. Begining of the End
  8. When Rockets Bloom
  9. Laika's Revenge
  10. One Is All
  11. You've Known it all Along
  12. Used to be Mine
  13. Toby
  14. I can't see you smile

External Links

See also

Scaling the Alps - (Michael Bugeja - The Sunday Times of Malta 16 March 2008) Debut Album Launch - Dean Muscat - The Times of Malta 13 April 2011