Star Spot with Fatjon Pula: Albanian pianist and composer

Star Spot with Fatjon Pula – InterContinental Music Awards Winner

From Fier to the World Stage: Fatjon Pula’s Journey to ICMA Glory

Discover the inspiring story of Albanian pianist and composer Fatjon Pula — from self-taught beginnings to winning international awards and overcoming the challenges of an unstructured music industry.

Join Fatjon Pula, winner of the InterContinental Music Awards, as he shares his journey from growing up in small-town Albania to becoming a globally recognized musician. In this interview, he opens up about the obstacles he’s faced, his creative process, and the triumphs that brought him international recognition.

Tony, you started playing the piano at the age of six. Can you tell us how it all began and what inspired you?


Honestly, there wasn’t a plan for me to become a musician. When I was six, there’s a law here in Albania that says children of a certain age can start school. My mom, however, was a bit hesitant. She thought I was still too young and not ready for that big step. She decided not to enroll me in first grade that year.

But then came the question: what should I do instead? Staying at home while all the other kids were starting school didn’t make sense. That’s when my mom heard about my very first piano teacher through her friends. Their kids were taking piano lessons just for fun — not to pursue music seriously, but to spend their time meaningfully. My mom decided I should give it a try.

I still remember my first piano lesson vividly. The teacher gave me a few simple tests to see if I could feel the beat of the music and tune into the sounds of the piano. At the end of that lesson, she told my mom, “Look, the boy is talented.”

Did you enjoy those early lessons, or was it a challenge?


To be honest, I wasn’t a great student at first. In those early years, there was even a phase where I wanted to quit music altogether. I just didn’t feel like continuing. But it was just a phase, and I’m so glad I stuck with it. Looking back now, it’s incredible how far I’ve come.

Tony, as a self-taught pianist and composer, what challenges have you faced in the music industry? Can you share a few of them with us?


Absolutely! First of all, I come from a very small city called Fier, which is in southern Albania. Compared to Tirana, Fier is tiny, and most of Albania’s music industry is concentrated in Tirana. Unfortunately, the music industry here isn’t very organized.

For example, we don’t have proper copyright laws or authorities to regulate financial attributions tied to music. Most of the industry relies on live sessions and releasing songs in specific genres if you want to achieve any level of success.

When I was 20 years old, I moved to Tirana for my studies. I also hold a bachelor’s degree in Banking and Finance, and I currently work in accountancy for an English company. Moving to Tirana was tough, even though I had already accomplished some significant things back in Fier — winning awards, appearing on television, and organizing big concerts. Nobody knew me in Tirana.

That must have been quite an adjustment. How did you manage during that time?


It was very difficult. I remember one summer in particular, which is usually busy with live sessions, especially in the southern cities of Albania. I didn’t have any colleagues or connections to collaborate with, so I ended up working as a waiter to make ends meet.

These are challenges that many musicians in Albania face, especially because the industry isn’t structured or supportive. But if you’re serious about having a career in music, you have to push through these difficulties. It’s part of the journey, and I believe everyone in the industry has had to deal with similar struggles.

Tony, you’ve won Top Talent 2 and organized a broadcast concert on RTSH. These are incredible milestones! How have these achievements shaped your career?


Thank you! People often assume that joining a big television show or achieving something like this will make everything easy, but that’s not how it works. There’s so much more needed — more effort, more investment, and more perseverance from yourself.

For example, when I participated in Top Talent 2 about five years ago, I was publicly promised a contract with Top Channel television. They announced during the live show that I would start working with their orchestra and live band. Naturally, I was thrilled!

However, nothing came of it. When I followed up and met with the producer alongside my dad, I was told point-blank, “If you don’t pay, it’s not going to happen.” That was a harsh reality to face, but it’s unfortunately part of the industry here.

That sounds incredibly frustrating. Were there other similar experiences in your career?


Yes, unfortunately. A few years ago, I participated in Greece’s Got Talent and made it to the semifinals. My audition was a success — I received three greens and one red. I was fully prepared for the semifinals but then… nothing. Nobody called me back.

After some time, I found out through Instagram and another contestant from a previous season that there had been a major scandal. Apparently, the director of the television station in Greece was involved in a sexual harassment case. As a result, there were rumors about a steep decline in viewership.

It turned out to be true. The station was struggling financially, and they had to eliminate half of the semifinalists themselves simply because they couldn’t afford to continue the show. Sadly, I was one of the contestants who didn’t make it to the next phase.

That must have been so disappointing. How do you handle setbacks like these?


It’s not easy, and I still face challenges every day. But the most important thing is to keep going and never give up. Challenges are a part of the journey, but persistence and passion always keep me moving forward.

Tony, let’s talk about your compositions and music. How does your creative process work? Where do you begin when working on new music?


Everything starts with a glimpse of inspiration — it can come from an event, a person, or even a fleeting moment. It’s not something you can force; it just happens naturally.

I owe a lot of my growth as a composer to a professor here in Albania, Andrina, who works at the University of Arts. He’s a well-known composer, and I had the privilege of learning from him. Back when I was in the final year of my bachelor’s degree, my former piano professor suggested I take lessons in harmony and composition. At first, I didn’t realize how important it was, but I eventually decided to give it a shot.

When I met Professor Andrina, I was a little overconfident because of the recognition I had received from being on television. But he grounded me right away, saying, “Take it easy, boy. Don’t brag. There will always be people better than you, and they’ll work harder.” That was a pivotal moment for me. He taught me everything about composition, and we worked together for a year. He even offered me an additional year of mentorship because he believed in my potential.

Unfortunately, life got in the way. I started a job that clashed with the lecture schedule, so I couldn’t continue with the lessons. After that, I began teaching myself — watching online tutorials, studying other composers, and reading as much as I could. It’s all about how much you demand from yourself and where you aim to be.

As for the creative process, it’s like I said: it can’t be forced. I’ve heard of famous songs that weren’t released for 10 or 15 years because the composer couldn’t find the missing element. And then, out of nowhere, the perfect harmony or melody comes to mind in just 30 seconds.

That’s fascinating! Can you tell us how this process influenced your piece “Reflections,” which won a competition?


“Reflections” is a perfect example of how inspiration can strike unexpectedly. I started working on it in 2022 while I was still taking lectures with my professor. I made several drafts and showed them to him, but he kept saying, “This is good, but something is missing.”

After months of tweaking, I set it aside. For about seven or eight months, I didn’t even look at my sheets. During that time, my mom had traveled to the USA for chemotherapy, and I was at home, watching TV and thinking about her. Suddenly, like a flash of lightning, I knew exactly what the piece needed.

That night, I opened my sheets again, sat at the piano, and within three or four hours, I had finished 80–90% of the composition. Of course, I made a few changes later, but the core of the piece was done. It all came together in those few hours after months of uncertainty.

That’s an incredible story! It’s truly inspiring how you channel emotions and moments into your music.


Thank you. It’s a process that teaches you patience. When the right idea comes, you just know, and it all falls into place.

How did you hear about the InterContinental Music Awards, and what was your experience with ICMA?


I first came across the InterContinental Music Awards on Instagram through a sponsored post. You know, those posts designed to reach a wider audience. It was just a few weeks after I had published my composition, Reflections, in February. By March, I stumbled upon this opportunity, and it immediately caught my attention.

Interestingly, Reflections wasn’t created with any competition in mind. Initially, I wrote it purely for fun. Honestly, it wasn’t even dedicated to my mom when I began composing it, but over time, the piece evolved, and it became something deeply personal and meaningful to me.

When I saw the ICMA post, I thought it was a fantastic platform to promote my work. Up until that point, my experience with international festivals had been limited to performing covers of other artists’ work. This was the first time I entered a competition with an original composition.

I’ll admit, I didn’t have any expectations. Competing against hundreds of talented individuals from all over the world felt intimidating. Countries like Japan and China have such deeply ingrained musical traditions, and their artists often start rigorous training at a very young age. I’ve seen videos of kids playing Rachmaninoff flawlessly at the age of four or five!

In Albania, we don’t have the same level of investment in the arts from such an early age. So, I told myself not to expect much. Surprisingly, that mindset made the experience even more rewarding. Winning without expecting it felt twice as exciting and unforgettable.

Thank you so much, Tony, for joining us on Star Spot Live, especially so early in your day. Do you have any final words to share with our readers?


Absolutely. I want to address young musicians like myself. I’m only 23 years old, so I’m still learning, but I’ve realized a few key things that I’d love to share.

First, work hard and stay consistent. Never hesitate to be a learner — there’s always something valuable to pick up from others. Surround yourself with the right people because the connections you build can shape your journey.

Networking is essential in the music industry. Attend live sessions, connect with other musicians, and follow producers or industry professionals on platforms like Instagram. Don’t shy away from reaching out — send them your work, your links, and your compositions.

Your moment will come. Someone out there will recognize and appreciate your talent. So, keep pushing forward, stay dedicated, and never stop learning.

Fatjon Pula’s Contact Info:

 

Click here to watch Fatjon Pula’s  full interview on Instagram 

Merry and Fatjon Pula smiling to the camera during the star spot interview.