Interview: Chellcy Reitsma

So how has your latest release gone so far with fans then?


So far so good! They seem to really like it and have been sharing it, downloading it and streaming it regularly. Got some very positive feedback so far. 


Tell us something about the release no one knows?

‘Fleshbot Prison’ is angry alternative rock song with a creative theory about human existence, but it is actually how I’m feeling in my own body and about existence these past few years. Due to my extensive dance injuries I incurred while I was a professional dancer, I’m in constant pain and fighting depression a lot. It’s really frustrating to go from being an athlete to having to use crutches if I have to walk more than two city blocks. Plus, a couple of my friends and family also slowly suffered with various diseases before dying during the time I was writing the song. I hate anyone or anything having to suffer and it makes me angry that life is so unfair and that everyone has to suffer at some point in their lives to varying degrees; some a bit others their entire lives. So I had to vent lol! I was soul searching I suppose and trying to find a reason or a point in the suffering of human kind.  Thus my ‘Fleshbot Prison’ song was born lol! 

If you could work with any band on a new song, who would it be and why?

It would be my absolute biggedt dream come true to collaborate with either Asaf Avidan or Patti Smith.  I love how their minds work, they are deep thinkers, poets, a bit nerdy and eccentric, true artists and so interesting.  They are both survivors and have endured a lot of loss and pain. Both have a vast wealth of knowledge, life and music experience so I feel that I could really connect with them and learn from them. Our styles are different enough to make things interesting but similar enough that we could merge them to create something entirely new that could take on a life of it’s own, which is how collaborations are supposed to be in my opinion.

How has your latest release been received?


It’s going really well. I feel like listeners are really connecting with the song, getting the lyrics and rocking out to the composition. I think most everyone can identify with the subject so they can relate, which is always important to me. 


Can you tell us about the meaning behind the track?


‘Fleshbot Prison’ is about feeling like your soul is trapped inside a dying body. That the body is like a prison for the soul and that the world is a prison and our existence is a prison sentence. That we all come here to learn and grow so we can move on from this world and our bodies once we have completed the lessons, or rather prison term, if you will. That reincarnation (if it exists) would be like serving multiple life sentences and that we all have different sentences for different reasons, which explains the wide array of variances in everyone’s amount of suffering and privilage, but in the end we are all equal and no one will escape their suffering or prison sentence. 


What tours do you have coming up, and what can you tell us about them?


The pandemic has really set us back on touring to be honest. In July 2020 we were supposed to have our first UK tour but everything got cancelled. We have performed a lot in Malta May through November however these last two years so I’m sure we will book up quickly as we did last year. 


What venue are you most looking forward to playing the most, and why?


We love playing music festivals and are currently working on lining up a few of those for summer. There is always such a great vibe at festivals and the audiences are usually music connoiseurs and excited to hear new music and discover new bands. The last festival we played in November was great! It felt like this circle of energy going between the audience and us. I love that feeling of connection with fans! 

What else can we expect from you in 2022?

I am excited about two interviews for programs on the national TV station, TVM in Malta. One for ‘A Day In The Life’ an awesome initiative by Peter Borg, Wayne Camillieri and Victor Abela to inspire young people to seriously consider going into the arts and entertainment industry as a career or viable business. The other is an interview with myself and an acoustic duo, live performance with my band mate Alan Degabriele on guitar; for @magic with Dorian and Amber. The song was also recorded and will be featured on Magic Malta 91.7 for a week during the airing week of the TVM interview. I’m super honoured and excited for these programs to air! Check my IG and FB pages for updates on the airing times. 

We are also currently using this touring down time by working on a number of new songs in preparation for hopefully producing our first full  LP.  It will include some poetry as my Black Water EP did. My last 3 single releases ‘Every Time’, ‘Happy New Year’ and ‘Fleshbot Prison’ will be included on the album and we will be making a music video for ‘Fleshbot Prison’ to promote the album. To get a taste of what’s to come you can listen to those songs or see the ‘Happy New Year’ music video here: 

https://linktr.ee/ChellcyReitsma