By the age of 26, Kersten Graham found himself living his ultimate dream as a full-time musician. He spent his days performing in gigs and events, doing what he loves best –singing and playing his guitar. But his hard work came to a sudden halt when COVID rules closed all entertainment venues two years ago, leaving him without work, and soon without enough money to pay the bills. “My life went on a downward spiral,” Graham told Times of Malta. Kersten Graham speaks to Giulia Magri. Video: Chris Sant Fournier The singer and guitarist, best known for his blues and rock style, got his first break thanks to the late entrepreneur Hugo Chetcuti, who gave him a weekly slot to play in his pub. “After that, people began to reach out to me to perform for their business events or wedding,” he recalls. “Then in 2019, I tried my luck in The X Factor, and my career boomed.” With a constant flow of performances and gigs, Graham decided to quit his full-time job and dedicate all his time to music. So when the pandemic hit in early 2020, Graham found it difficult to cope. “I couldn’t accept it at first, one moment I was fully booked, and the next, I was home alone,” he said. “While I am...