Upper Lip's Joseph Azzopardi Talks 'Devil's Ride', Songwriting and Future Plans in Exclusive Interview with Gino Alache

Joseph Azzopardi, guitarist, songwriter and founding member of Malta hard rock band Upper Lip, recently spoke with Gino Alache for Rockum and the Rockum Radio Show on CFRC 101.9 FM about the creation of Devil’s Ride, the band’s musical evolution, and their future plans. Throughout the conversation, Azzopardi reflects on the darker and more introspective direction of the album, the importance of classic rock influences, the continuity of working with producer David Vella, and the strong chemistry that has developed within the band over the years.

Gino Alache / Rockum: Devil’s Ride clearly marks a darker and more intense evolution from Deep Within. What pushed you to explore this heavier and more introspective direction?

Joseph Azzopardi / Upper Lip: Devil’s Ride naturally took a different path from the first album. During the time between the two releases, I went through some very challenging personal experiences that deeply influenced my songwriting and inspiration. I didn’t set out with the specific intention to make a heavier or darker album, it just felt like the right direction because of what life was showing me. The themes and sound grew organically from those experiences.

Gino Alache / Rockum: You wrote all the music and lyrics for the album. How do you approach building a record that still feels dynamic and diverse while coming from a single creative vision?

Joseph Azzopardi / Upper Lip: I like to push myself creatively, and I’m fortunate to have close friends in the music industry who give me honest, professional feedback. Their guidance helps me explore different concepts and keep the music fresh. While I’m not reinventing the wheel, I do have an ambitious vision that challenges me to stretch my songwriting and keep each track distinct and engaging.

Gino Alache / Rockum: Won’t You Listen has been described as a very personal song. What makes that track stand out emotionally or lyrically compared to the rest of the album?

Joseph Azzopardi / Upper Lip: Won’t You Listen is close to my heart because it’s about real people who feel stuck in difficult situations, struggling to move on. It’s ultimately a song of hope and resilience, which I think many people can connect with on a deeper emotional level. While the other songs explore different themes, this one strikes a particularly intimate chord.

Gino Alache / Rockum: The Castle ventures into heavier territory, with classic heavy metal textures and a darker atmosphere. What inspired that direction for the song?

Joseph Azzopardi / Upper Lip: Originally, The Castle was planned as an instrumental track. After feedback from Michael Ivarsson, a friend, producer and promoter, I decided to write lyrics for it. The song tells the story of a real person who embodies a vampiric, destructive figure, causing pain and suffering. The castle itself symbolizes where this character plots their schemes. The core message is that through unity, we can overcome and defeat such harmful forces.

Gino Alache / Rockum: The album blends influences from Rory Gallagher, Bert Jansch and Jimmy Page, while also carrying the energy of Guns N’ Roses and The Who. How do you balance those inspirations while maintaining your own identity as a songwriter?

Joseph Azzopardi / Upper Lip: These musicians are some of the greatest of all time, and their music inspires me deeply. Their influence creates a foundation of ideas that I weave together, and with careful crafting, it becomes the unique sound of Upper Lip. While it’s challenging to carve out a distinct identity, I feel I’m gradually finding my own voice. I honor these icons in every note but strive to express it in my own way.

Gino Alache / Rockum: Who are the other members of the band? Could you introduce us to their names and positions?

Joseph Azzopardi / Upper Lip: Our lineup includes Christopher Portelli on vocals, Marcel Grima on bass, and Alex Fenech on drums. Christopher and I are childhood friends from the same village, and he’s passionate about 80’s rock. Marcel, also from our village Nadur, leans more toward jazz and early rock ’n’ roll like Sweet. Alex is our current drummer, a full-time musician with a strong jazz background.

Gino Alache / Rockum: The album was recorded at Temple Studios with producer David Vella, who also worked on your debut. How did that continuity influence the overall sound of Devil’s Ride?

Joseph Azzopardi / Upper Lip: David knows us well and pushes us to grow musically. I believe Devil’s Ride is a step up from our first record. The continuity is apparent in elements that worked before like catchy hooks, harmonies and backing vocals while exploring new ideas. David dives deep into every song, ensuring we produce the best possible album.

Gino Alache / Rockum: With a strong rhythm section and experienced musicians involved, how did the collaboration within the band help bring your ideas to life in the studio?

Joseph Azzopardi / Upper Lip: I’m grateful that my bandmates understand the direction I want to take. We’ve built a strong connection; sometimes a single glance is enough to communicate. This trust has helped us refine our performances, often embracing the idea that less can be more. Over two albums, we’ve grown into more cohesive, mature musicians.

Gino Alache / Rockum: The artwork presents a symbolic image with the devil behind the wheel and two figures riding in the back. What does that visual represent to you in relation to the album’s concept?

Joseph Azzopardi / Upper Lip: The artwork is highly metaphorical. It’s like a modern-day Adam and Eve riding in a taxi, with the devil driving the vehicle. To me, it represents the choices we make, some of which can be harmful not only to ourselves but to others. That idea of personal responsibility and consequence is central to the album’s concept.

Gino Alache / Rockum: Looking ahead, what’s next for you and Upper Lip after the release of Devil’s Ride?

Joseph Azzopardi / Upper Lip: We hope the band gains more recognition and gets the chance to play internationally. Right now, I’m thinking about our third album, though I haven’t locked down its direction yet. I prefer to let it develop naturally rather than rush the process.

Gino Alache / Rockum: Are there any upcoming shows or live plans to support the album?

Joseph Azzopardi / Upper Lip: Yes, we’re planning several shows both locally and internationally. We believe Devil’s Ride really needs to be experienced live, and we’re eager to bring it to a wider audience and promote it extensively.

Gino Alache / Rockum: What would you like to say to Rockum readers and listeners discovering Upper Lip for the first time?

Joseph Azzopardi / Upper Lip: We want to say that we believe our music will truly resonate with them. We deeply appreciate their support not just for us but for the rock community worldwide.

Upper Lip continues expanding its musical identity through Devil’s Ride, combining classic hard rock influences with darker and more introspective themes shaped by personal experiences and the band’s evolving creative vision. During this conversation with Gino Alache for Rockum and the Rockum Radio Show on CFRC 101.9 FM, Joseph Azzopardi offered deeper insight into the songwriting, symbolism, production process and future direction behind the album, while reaffirming the band’s ambition to continue growing internationally through new music and live performances.

For more about the album, read: Upper Lip Present 'Devil's Ride' as Their Second Studio Album.

Interview conducted by Gino Alache – Music Journalist / Editor of Rockum