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Charlene & Natasha (Grima) are on a high after placing fifth at the Sunflower Festival 2004 held in Zrenjanin, Serbia last weekend. Charlene & Natasha competed with their latest Malta Song for Europe 2004 entry, ‘A Simple Wish,’ which has also become a football anthem.
 The sisters have also been chosen by Eros Music Sa Greece to represent Malta in the European Union CD Compilation ‘Your voice in Europe’ with the song ‘Xita fid-Dezert.’ Julian Manduca caught up with them this week.
What set you on your career as musicians, any family inspiration?
Natasha: My mother used to play the guitar and sing when she was in her teens. She was part of a band together with my uncle and aunt, so yes we are quite a music-oriented family!
How do you balance out your life with your other interests? What are those interests?
Charlene: It’s difficult to have a normal relaxed life when you have a day job and a singing career, plus not to forget to mention our personal life always, on the go at the same time. We’re always running after time, and it’s very difficult to find free - time for ourselves, but we love what we do. In my free time, I try to write new songs for us, I love going out and enjoy a relaxed evening with my boyfriend Stefan, and when I veg at home I easily watch 3 DVD’s after each other without getting bored. And I love shopping!
What would you like to see done to improve possibilities for singers in Malta?
Natasha: I believe we need more opportunities for Maltese singers and artists, it’s a shame that as singers we only meet in competitions, it would be nice if we had the opportunity to take part in non-competitive events such as concerts.
What kind of music do you prefer to sing? What music do you listen to?
Charlene: I prefer all kind of music, but by experience on stage a good upbeat song makes you intertwine more with the crowd, and sells more too. Recently I’m listening to a lot of international artists. I like different sounds and strange beats, I believe that it’s good to experiment with songs: it gives them that something different that can uplift it from other songs. I remember me and Nat used to argue about the style of songs I used to write, the thing was that I wasn’t used to get criticised, and getting opinions from her either “It’s great” or “It’s crap.” But she’s straight forward and that’s very good about her. Now when I do something I ask for her advice immediately, and we carry on from there.
Not everyone likes to face an audience from a stage, what does performing add to your life?
Natasha: I always loved the feeling of being on stage performing. It makes you feel good, knowing you’re good at something and looking at the audience
applauding.
Do you see yourselves trying to make a career as a musician, maybe abroad?
Charlene: I believe the music market in Malta is too small, and for a Maltese artist to make a career as a musician here it’s out of the way. Abroad there are more contacts, much bigger and powerful music industries. While abroad we’ve been offered some projects, the interest there is much bigger.
Which other Maltese performers do you admire?
Natasha: Miriam Christine Borg – she is very talented, a very nice person and also down to earth.
Charlene: I like Moira and Chris, I like the way they write songs, and Moira has so much energy in her voice, you can feel that there’s a special bond between them just by listening to one of their songs.
Could you tell us about some of the highlights of your careers?
Charlene: Our First participation as a duo in the Song for Europe festival in 1999 with the song ‘Look into my Eyes,’ mostly because it was the first song we wrote ourselves, we sang together and it was there that I met my boyfriend Stefan, he was one of our backing singers. When we placed third in the Festival ‘L- Ghanja tal- Poplu’ with the song ‘Gieghltni Ntir.’ When we came fifth with the song ‘Superstitious’ in the Song for Europe festival in 2003. When we went to represent Malta in the Universtalent in Prague last year. When one of our songs was chosen by Eros music Greece to by part of the EU CD compilation last June, and especially last month when we represented Malta in Serbia and Montenegro placing fifth among 40 singers.
Natasha: Being able to travel, do gigs, compete and do well abroad plus meeting important people in the music business such as composers for popular singers (like Eros Ramazzotti, Umberto Tozzi and Queen) which want to write songs for us.
Any low points? Did you pass through the experience of feeling like starving artists?
Charlene: ‘No Expectations’ that's what we believe. We take each day as it comes, the only thing that I guess every Maltese artists starves for is more opportunities, and chances to make a breakthrough, we believe in every song we write or perform, as singers our job is to communicate our feelings through music.
Which was your most memorable performance, and for what reason?
Natasha: The first time we participated in Malta Song for Europe with song ‘Look into my Eyes’ lyrics by myself and music by my sister Charlene, because we had just started singing and having a song which was written and composed by us in the final was the biggest achievement.
As people in the spotlight you must receive attention over and above the average, have you had good or bad experiences with individual fans?
Charlene: It’s nice to have fans, who love your music and are always there when you give performances. It’s a nice feeling walking in the streets and people smile at you and stop you to tell ‘well done,’ ‘keep it up,’ we hope that you'll win the Eurovision contest one day. These comments encourage us to go on and not to give up.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a sister band?
Natasha: If we argue about something we forgive and forget about it straight away, but being sisters we argue very often!
What are the major differences between
the two of you?
Charlene: Ooow, now we will never stop, I guess mmm everything!! I’m calm, Nat`s nervous, I like white, she likes black, I like plain cooked food, she likes all that spicy curry food yuk! I like going out and relaxing and have a good meal, she prefers to go dancing, I’m much more of a listener, she’s extremely talkative. I like fair guys, she likes guys with that Mediterranean look, I take an hour to decide, she takes 1 sec. (mm I could write a song about this) ...we're very, very different, but binding her whirlwind of energy and my enthusiasm for everything together, we have a very colourful life.
Do you have hopes and aspirations outside the singing world? Social, political?
Natasha: I wish for a better world. Nicer people. And a more happy future for our children.
Charlene: Surely I could never see myself as a political person. Being a singer changed my way of seeing life, I love new challenges and have a lot of determination. Beside music my aspiration, my source of happiness is my boyfriend. He understands my commitments and supports them. We’ve known each other for 5 years and he appreciates that what I’m doing is important for me - sometimes it’s tough for our relationship because I’m so busy with my singing career, but the fact that I have his backing, and his understanding, helps. As long as I’m surrounded by him, by my family, and Nat, I have full
faith of happiness in my heart.
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