About Kewn Records

Kewn Records is an independent label that started in 2017 to promote and distribute local Maltese music and to try to take it to the next level in a professional
way.

Kewn records started when James Vella who is based in UK and runs the label Phantom Limb helped Nick Morales set up Kewn Records and acted as his mentor in mid-late 2017. There was a lacuna in this feild in Malta and this local label was really needed in Malta; we have so much talent, but no proper representation. With the right direction the future of the young and budding musicians seems a little brighter.

James has worked in independent music all his professional life, which is over 15 years now. Although he lives abroad like many ex pats he feels nostalgic towards his birth country and has always had an interest in Malta’s alternative music scene. There is a great abundance of talent here in Malta, and lovely people in the local music scene, but no infrastructure to house it. When these two dynamic people pooled their resources together it seemed like a win win situation and the perfect opportunity to create something beneficial for the Maltese scene. James’s role at Kewn Records is purely that of a mentor and consultant for the label. He helped with setting up the foundation of a functioning record label – the business side, best practice advice, listening to demos, making personal introductions with other music industry professionals, and so on.

Nick Morales then approached Nicholas Bonello, who joined the label as coordinator and helps with communications and day-to-day administration of the label.

In early 2018 the label burst onto the scene with their first release, a compilation, “Being in Space and Time”. The mix-tape includes some some of the favourite local tracks of 2017 and older, showcasing Malta’s more edgy and alternative sounds. It was but a small taste of what this scene can offer. The mix-tape was an opportunity to establish the label internationally and to announce the music of its contributors in the UK, Europe and the US, with an accessible collection of tracks that demonstrates the creativity, talent and uniqueness of contemporary Maltese music.

Since 2017 the band has released 6 Albums, 8 EPs and 12 Singles. When an artist delivers truly arresting and compelling music, the story can be understood in any language. Kewn Records has evolved into a one stop shop for musicians and will also in the near future will be facilitating gigs and tours abroad for the local bands with the help and backing from Phantom Limb Agency.