After using the X Factor Malta for the past few years as their Eurovision selection method, in 2022 Malta is going back to their longstanding national final show Malta Eurovision Song Contest or MESC for short. With that comes 22 hopefuls who will all be competing for the ticket to Turin! Over the next two weeks join us for our series of interviews with the artists in the lead up to the show.

Next up its Mark Anthony Bartolo who will be performing his entry “Serenity”.

Welcome to MESC! What made you choose to submit a song and compete in Malta’s selection show this year?

First of all, I am a big fan of the contest, and it has been my dream to represent my country at the Eurovision song contest. I felt it was my time to try and take a chance.

This year you’ll be performing “Serenity” at the contest. Tell us more about the song, working with the team behind it and why you chose this to be your entry?

The team behind ‘Serenity’ is really me, myself and I, both the lyrics and the music of the song.Serenity describes how the ongoing pandemic has affected society. COVID 19 has restricted us in the small things that we used to enjoy like hanging out together, shaking hands, hugging and air kisses etc.. From the pandemic I have learned how we need to appreciate the small things we take for granted. After some thought I concluded that serenity is something that we all search for, both during this trying period and all through our lives. I think that it can relate to everyone in any situation really.

Originally, I had another song in mind for the contest. However, I decided that this song could relate more with people at this time.

You won over a lot of fans when you appeared on the X Factor Malta. You made it very far in to the competition! How did that opportunity help you to discover yourself as an artist and inspire your music?

 X Factor Malta taught me a lot of things such as how to perform on television and how best to present myself. However, the best that I gained form X Factor was finding what my own style is, that is acoustic guitar. It has helped me learn more about myself both music and personally and I have been building on the experience since.

 How has music impacted your life?

 With the help of my music I have made a lot of friends both through social media and locally. Music has helped me express myself as it taught me that communication sometimes does not need words to be processed. I have difficulties with communicating properly with words and I sometimes have trouble with understanding social cues. Music helps me fill that gap. I also plan to make it a major part of my life as my occupation. I have graduated in Music and have been working on my own songs and composition for some time now.

Eurovision is huge in Malta! What would it mean to you personally to represent your nation at the Eurovision Song Contest in Turin?

 It would mean so much to me as I am a huge fan of the contest. It would help me expose my work to a bigger audience across Europe and it would help me with my career both as a singer, songwriter and a musician besides the thrill of taking part in such a great show.

 We like to throw a random question in the mix… if you could perform at any global festival or arena, where would you pick and why?

 I would definitely wish to perform at the Isle of MTV outside my country. Besides the great experience and opportunity, I would like to show the world that sometimes it is ok to sing simple heartfelt songs that leave a message. I also want to share my thoughts and views on life with people with similar ideas.

 Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions. Best of luck in the contest! Did you have any message for your fans?

 My only message for the fans is to just do what you have and love to do. Don’t overthink but be YOU. It doesn’t matter if you can’t please everyone. So you might as well enjoy being true to yourself.

The semi final for Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2022 will be taking place on Thursday 17th February 2022  with the top sixteen performances qualifying for the grand final, which will be taking place on Saturday 19th February 2022.

You can vote for your favourites in our poll here!

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