Interviews

Melchior Sultana continues to carve out his own space in contemporary house music, blending deep emotion with the instinctive musicianship that has defined his journey from Malta to Europe’s most respected dancefloors. His latest release, Rhodes In The Middle, captures a moment of evolution: a rawer, club focused energy anchored by the soulful touch of the Rhodes that has shaped his sound since childhood. In this interview, Melchior reflects on the roots of the track, the balance between live musicality and club production, and the creative exchanges that brought the project to life.

What aspects of your multi instrumental background shaped the emotional core of Rhodes In The Middle?

The track started with myself coming up with what I consider a jazzy progression on the Rhodes and everything came together from there.

Where does this track sit within your blend of classical, jazz, electronic and deep house influences?

It sits exactly in the middle of it all where Jazz harmony blends with an electronic deep house approach.

What does real musicality mean to you today, and how does this release express that belief?

Real musicality is when you make music as an extension of your soul, what feels and sounds right to you and not to the outside world or whatever is hot at the moment.

What was the first spark behind Rhodes In The Middle a melody, a chord, a mood or a moment?

It was the chords. I try to keep harmony as interesting as I can, chords that are stacked a bit weird or different sometimes. There is no right or wrong if it feels right.

Why did you choose the Rhodes as the centrepiece of this composition?

You can never have enough Rhodes. This is the instrument that captured my attention as a young kid and hearing it on a groovy house track was just magic and fresh and it still is today after all these years. That is why I bought one as soon as I had enough money. It is more than just an instrument.

What emotional space were you trying to capture with this track?

With Rhodes In The Middle I feel it reflects the evolution of my sound at the moment, moving into a more club focused and raw vibe while still keeping the magic of what makes a deep house track deep.

How do you balance live musicianship with club focused production when building a piece like this?

It is through practice and understanding the direction. If you are a musician it feels natural to grab your instrument and start laying tracks, but after years of releases and keeping your ear open to clubs and the feedback you get, you start understanding production and the difference between making a track or a beat and making a song which are two very different things.

What was your reaction the first time you heard Gerd Jansons remix?

When I heard the remix I was pretty blown away by where Gerd Janson took it. Incredible indeed.

What do you feel Gerd understood most clearly about the original when creating his version?

As I mentioned before, this is when you know someone is professional, experienced and has their ears open. He took the track and created another dimension with it.

How do the original and the remix speak to each other in terms of contrast or evolution?

I feel both are very different and that is what is great. You get a record that gives you two very different aspects of the track rather than a continuation.

Why did Ravanelli Disco Club feel like the right home for Rhodes In The Middle?

I already worked with the guys behind the label before and we had a strong record out, so it is definitely a great pleasure to be part of the label and its journey.

How do you feel this track contributes to the labels identity of groove driven forward thinking dance music?

Both the original and the remix are great additions to the ever growing catalogue of the label, showcasing the great ear and dedication being put into presenting music as timeless art.

What does Marseilles creative energy mean to you as an artist coming from Malta?

I have never been to Marseille unfortunately, but it is definitely another important spot in the contemporary electronic music world.

How have rooms like Berghain Panorama Bar Tresor and Rex Club shaped your understanding of what works emotionally on a dancefloor?

Performing at some of the biggest clubs in Europe showed me how important it is to stay true to your sound and what feels right to you. That is the only way to find your voice, stand out and present something new.

What part of your artistic evolution does this release represent?

It represents a more raw and club oriented direction of what we call house or deep house.

How did the experience of Crossing Borders with Owen Jay influence your approach to new projects?

Owen Jay, being a legend in Malta and one of the true pioneers in the scene, shaped my view on house music and taught me the history and the original sound, the sound that will live forever. The true difference between making records that will still sound relevant in twenty years.

How do you protect authenticity in an industry that often prioritises trends?

You protect it by being strong in character and working on what you believe. Only then, after years, will you have something no one can take from you. It takes hard work, a lot of sacrifices and feeling left out or alone, but you stay strong and keep pushing. What is it worth to win the world but lose your soul? Nothing.

What do you hope listeners feel the first time they hear Rhodes In The Middle?

I hope they dance, remember the moment and think That was a dope track.

Where is your sound heading next deeper more instrumental or more experimental?

I feel more experimental than musical, involving other forms of synthesis and techniques, more focused on sound and production rather than the live aspect. Heading into the next level as a more experienced producer and musician. Thank you.

Check out the latest release from Melchior Sultana.