She's a power girl in a 90's world

I read some tweets last night about OPM (Original Pilipino Music) being dead (again) that led to some violent reactions from people who think that it is indeed alive and blah blah. Hmmm I'll save my thoughts on this one for a separate entry. But this "argument" had me feeling so nostalgic about the heydays of OPM, particularly the 90's, PARTICULARLY the female-fronted bands. I wasn't keen of bands with male vocalist before. Probably because I couldn't relate to their songs about having a long hair or how they get piss drunk. I liked bands with delicate voices singing about love and peace and heartbroken but with kick-ass attitude. Just like the first band here...

Agaw Agimat

QT Paduano Nadela was one eccentric vocalist. She performed in barefoot and danced frantically out of tempo and the public loved it. They are known for their political songs with pop sensibilities. No wonder, they gained mainstream success and was one of the well-known acts of  the 90's.

Put3Ska

I remembered my mom was like ano bang pangalan yan? ba't nagmumura? hahaha Well, their name was indeed a wordplay but our favorite Manila Girl, Myra (later became Skarlet) with the rest of the mod-clad Put3ska brought the ska sound in the mainstream Pinoy music scene.

Hungry Young Poets

Almost all teen boys had a crush on Barbie Almalbis (except me) when Hungry Young Poets broke out in the scene in 1997. How can you not like a cute girl who plays guitar and sings about guys being torpe and a girl wanting to be a firewoman, ameryt? Again, not my thing. hahaha But dont get me wrong, I was a big fan of HYP. I was in love with their song Firewoman (which got a heavy airplay on MTV Asia and had followings in the neighboring countries) until I got their album and heard Drowning. I loved the funky intro and thought it was the strangest thing I heard for a HYP song.

Prettier Than Pink

Their only hit Cool Ka Lang was probably one of 90-est songs of the 90's. Traffic, "good time" and the word Cool in a song? sooo 90's! Plus those hideous hats! hahaha

Elektrikoolaid

Fronted by the late Anabel Bosch, Elektrikoolaid was one of the underrated bands of the 90's. I really dont know much about the band but this track made me a fan.

Faust!

One of the amazing bands of the late 90's! Their music was a mix of avant-pop and alternative and yet they were signed in a major label. Something that wont happen these days. My fave track from their debut album was this bittersweet dreamy song called Fool's Song. Haaaay. brings back that teen crush feeling :)

Color it Red

If we'll do a survey of the most played songs in funerals, Color it Red's Paglisan will definitely top it. I loved how Cookie Chua looked laid-back and lutang every time she appears on TV screen. No, Im not saying she's  on drugs. She just had this breezy, effortless look which I totally liked.

Kulay

Probably the coolest Pinoy act of the 90's with their funky hip-hop sound and  their computer-generated graphic music videos (which were oneofakind back then). They had some international success, toured the UK and got remixed by Norman Cook. Lastly, Radha.

Sugar Hiccup

Saving the best for last! No one would ever comes close to Melody Del Mundo's powerful vocals not even Regine Velasquez. I must admit, I was too scared to finish their haunting song Five Years when I first heard it on the radio. I was a weakling 10yearold, what do you expect?! It was like our own Gloomy Sunday. It was the most chilling three-minute song with only humming and six words as lyrics. POWER! :p I just revisited their albums when I started listening to Cocteau Twins later in high school and found out that Sugar Hiccup got their name from a Cocteau Twins song. Their brand of music is a mash of dreamy indie-pop with a hint shoegaze. My kind of music! so I am biased when I say that Sugar Hiccup is THE best female-fronted band of the 90's.

(all photos are from google images. If your photos are used and want to be credited, feel free to comment and i'll do so. Thanks)

Maakit ko sana ang iyong pagtingin

Imago just released a music video that looks like an Instagram photo gone wrong. Sa Ngalan Mo, in my opinion, is one of Imago's best songs (and one of my favorites too) and i think it deserves a better music video. SAYYYAAANG!! It would have been better if they just made a "live" performance video highlighting this beeeeautiful song rather than showing badly-acted melodramatic visuals. CRINGE! Im sorry. I just love this song so much.

MUST LISTEN: Pipes and Palindromes by Modulogeek

Check out Pipes and Palindromes, the new EP of Joon Guillen aka Modulogeek. After remixing Outerhope’s The Man with the Pipes, he got so inspired and wrote some tunes about it. The result is a 5-track EP which shows Joon's melancholic side.

DOWNLOAD HERE

You can also check Modulogeek's Transition EP and my interview of him here

GET TO KNOW: Modulogeek

Photo by Bobby Benedicto

I am so excited to introduce to you guys this amazing musician! He is Joon Guillen aka Modulogeek. He just came out with an amazing new EP this year called Transition (Number Line Records) and it might just be THE best local release of 2011. I bugged him with some silly questions which he gamely answers below...

When did you start as Modulogeek?

It was mostly an act of desperation. When I moved to hk I found it increasingly frustrating to not being in a band (as was the norm in Manila). Eventually I decided to go solo and what better way to start by trying electronic music? 

How would you describe your music?

It's pop music that has had quite a few drinks in a bar, hooks up with a nice cute girl, then wakes up the next morning in a tub of ice with its kidney removed.  

What’s the story behind your name?

I took a class in cryptography and learned that modular arithmetic (where modulo is always used) plays a major role in modern encryption (as in, how we keep our Internets secure and such.)  At the same time I associated modulo operations with how my interests wax and wane periodically, as if in a cyclical manner - it could be film one moment, then books the next, then taxidermy, then back to film etc etc. Geek is kinda obvious ;)

How would you describe Transition in one sentence?

Kidney removal trial runs!

You played Mandolin in the track The Tail of Mr.Fox? Can you tell us what other musical instruments you play?

I didn't play them. A handful of the tracks in Transition are results of remix projects by the monome.org community.  The idea is to create a song out of only a handful of participant-submitted samples and nothing else. So The Tail of Mr. Fox is 100% samples, as are Spectre and No Laughing Matter. I *can* play instruments (to some degree).  Just the usual rock band components - guitar, bass, drums, keyboard. 

Were you in Hong Kong when you made Transition? If yes, would you say that the culture/vibe in HK inspired you to make this EP and in what sense? 

Yes I made the tracks in HK.  I guess there is some influence, but I can't tell exactly how.

Photo by Camilla Pante

 WHAT'S...

...your worst vice?

gaming marathons!

...your favorite website?

rockpapershotgun.com, xkcd.com and slashdot.org 

 ...are you listening right now?

Deerhoof

 ...your secret talent?

none worth telling :D

 ...your worst fashion advice? ;)

i have no fashion sense so anything i say is bad fashion advice.

 ...song/band/artist you'd never admit you listen to?

i dunno.. i have no shame in music. i just listened to "Tomorrow" from Annie several times in a row, does that count?  

So there! Now it's time for you to listen to his music. Download it. Love it.Share it.

DOWNLOAD HERE

GET TO KNOW: Larry g(EE)

Here's another Pinoy Pride! US-based Fil-Am musician Laurence Gayao II aka Larry g(EE) joins the retro-soul movement with his funky sound and an amazing EP waiting to croon its way to everyone's playlist. I got an advance listen to his debut EP Weekends and loved it so much. I'm a big fan of nostalgic-pop or soul revivalism or whatever you call it. I like how Larry gives a little modern twist to the soul, Motown sound instead of recreating it. His first single, Yo Mama, is a perfect example of that ingenuity. 

I also love this track called I'm Your Fool...

I did a short interview with Larry and found out about his Filipino roots, musical influences and his love for Amy Winehouse...

BON: Can you tell us something about your Filipino roots?  

Larry g(EE): Both of my parents are from Mindanao.  They moved to America in the early 70's and have been in America ever since.  I was born in America and have only been to visit the Philippines once way back in the early 80's. I barely remember anything from that visit except for the chicken adobo and the beautiful beaches there.  I was really young (like 9 or 10).  

BON: Is your family musical?  

Larry g(EE): Definitely.  My mother and her brother (my uncle) use to perform as a gospel duo back in the late 70's/ early 80's and my father owned a recording studio around that time as well. I used to sit in during those sessions and just soak it all up.  My siblings and I (I am 2nd oldest of 4 (2 sisters and 1 brother)) were always around music growing up (church choir, piano lessons, and guitar lessons).    

BON: Who are your musical influences? 

Larry g(EE): Here's my top 5 --->1)  My uncle was a big influence growing up.  He taught me a lot about music growing up.  2)  Elvis 2) The Beatles 3) Michael Jackson 4) Stevie Wonder 5) Hall & Oates

BON: You were part of a band called Odis. What has been your biggest challenge as a solo artist in writing/making your solo debut EP Weekends? 

Larry g(EE): During my time with Odis I really learned a lot about pursing a career in music (both good and bad).  We had some local and regional success and toured independently for 5 years. I think the challenges we faced earlier on and towards the end of our run made it a lot easier this time around.  When I started writing this album it was only me I had to deal with and not 4 other members.  The transition as a solo artist has been really positive primarily because because I really took my time and didn't rush right back into music after the break-up of the band. 

BON: Speaking of Weekends, what's the usual weekend for you? 
Larry g(EE): I'm either playing a show, hanging with the family, out with friends, or just staying in and writing music.  I prefer the low-key weekend writing music however sometimes that isn't necessarily the case (just depends on who I'm hanging out with). 

BON: Your real name is Laurence Gayao II. What's the story behind your screen name Larry g(EE)?  

Larry g(EE): Having gone through experiences in school and during my time with the band, my name would consistently get butchered when announced, I wanted to do something different yet easy to say.  Now the g(EE) part?  Well there's 2 reasons for that:   1)  the simple 'G'  was already taken (Kenny G) and 2) I wanted to do something that would visually catch the eye.  Call it a form of 'branding' if you will.

BON: Are there any Filipino bands/artists you look up to that somehow inspired you to to become a musician?  

Larry g(EE): Honestly I would have to go back to my uncle Jun (pronounced as June) and my parents.  They really taught and nurtured my growth in music.   I'm also inspired by the Fil-Am (full or half) artist's of today paving the way for aspiring artist's such as myself.  They reflect the changing face in entertainment and music and how it is more excepting in regards to race and culture.

BON: What's the most played song on your iPod?  

Larry g(EE): "Love is A Losing Game" - Amy Winehouse.  Its beautiful sad love song.  I hate the fact that she passed away though.  I really loved her voice and her music. 

     
BON: Do you have any plans in performing here in the Philippines?  

Larry g(EE): It's definitely a goal and dream of mine to play a show in the Philippines.  I'm really motivated and encouraged about that possibility especially with the release of this EP.  While it's only 4 songs deep, I feel like it is a great introduction to who I am as a solo artist and where I'm going.  Only time will tell at this point but that doesn't mean I'm not going to try my best to get there.  Cross your fingers.

Larry g(EE)'s debut EP Weekends drops 12.9.11. Visit www.larry-gee.com for more info

Imagine all birthday wishes come true...

Photo by Jeff Saw

Congratulations to Clem Castro of The Camerawalls for winning The John Lennon Song writing contest in honor of the legend's 71st birthday. The winning song is Birthday Wishes which is a straight- up acoustic awesomeness with an Imagine -esque lyricism.

Clem receives this handsome Epiphone "Inspired By" John Lennon Casino guitar amounting $1665.

Clem Castro is without a doubt one of THE best Filipino songwriter/musician we have in this generation and also one of, if not, the most stylish guy. HAHA! Anyhu, you can listen to the track Birthday Wishes below.

BAND CRUSH: Some Gorgeous Accident

The only time i open my Facebook is when I post a link of a blogpost or to check if there are interesting music related posts in my timeline. Thank God I opened my Facebook today! If not, i would have not discovered this amazing band. Serendipity? Maybe Some Gorgeous Accident! Ok, so that's another failed attempt for a witty intro! haha

Check out this California-based Filipino band called Some Gorgeous Accident. They play gorgeous shoegaze/dream-pop music that reminds me of The Autocollants and Blueboy. The band's first release was cassette EP entitled Winter in Watercolor under the Italian label Best Kept Secret (in all fairness, they hid them well ah.)

Now they are back with Imaginary Lines- a 6-track EP under the local label Number Line Records. With this new EP, the band maximized their shoegaze prowess and experimented with some electronic elements which gave it a bit more "now" sound. You can hear the entire EP below and also a free download link!

If you like shoegaze/dream-pop music, download this mixtape

MUST WATCH: Indak (Tower Sessions) by Up dharma Down

I am ending my blogging hiatus with this amazing live performance of Up dharma Down's new song Indak recorded for Tower of Doom's Tower Sessions. I posted a not-so high-quality gig performance of the track few months back. And this time, we can listen to it's sorta final arrangement in this video. If you loved Bipolar's Sana, then Indak is definitely your tune. They did another live performance of this track on the podcast of SND.FM and you can watch it here. 

Taken by Cars in Time Magazine!

Pinoy music sure is making a lot of buzz outside our humble country. Yeah, i know. Charice might be our flag bearer when it comes to the international scene and I have nothing against her. It's just refreshing to know that our neighboring countries also appreciate other Filipino music outside the pop genre. Few years back, it was Up dharma Down who was featured in Time Magazine and BBC Radio hailed them as "the Manila band most likely to cross over to the lucrative Anglophone market of North America." And just last month, another local band was featured in Time Magazine. Taken by Cars was one of the five new bands to watch out for in 2011. It's not surprising that international audience would appreciate TbC's music- it's current, fun, universal and gives you that sense of urgency to just let lose of yourself. I can attest to that. There's no TbC gig that I didnt enjoy. Except for that Puma event where the organizers stupidly put all the big tables full of bored marketing people (who went there just because) in the area where people (who went there for the music) should be dancing.

Taken by Cars is set to release their sophomore album this year and they promised it's going to be "a more mature approach to their music." Whatever that maturity is going to offer us, I'm sure it's gonna be something worth waiting for. Read here for the Time Magazine's article

For now, enjoy this track which makes me dance every time i hear it ;)

I Bet You Didn't Know: Ninni

Yes, Ninni not Nina!

Ninni released an album back in 1999 which I discovered through a sale in Odyssey  Records back in highschool. I got her CD for only Php50 and if you take a listen to it, Ninni's album should worth more than that. Here in my blog, I just don't want to inform people about the latest music, I also want to share some hidden gems in our local music industry.

Ninni's brand of music is kind of hodge-podge. It has indie-pop, dance, electronica and straight up pop songs. I personally love the first track Oh!You Turn Me Around. It's such a sun shiny song which make me feel good everytime i play it. You must listen to Wakas ng Luha (End of Tears). If Robyn was a Filipino, this could be a possible hit. It's a dancey song with a bittersweet lyrics. And my all time favorite in this album is the last track. Pananagutan is a ballad that sings about responsibility and second chances in a relationship. It starts of as piano-driven until the drum and electric guitar parts rock it out midway of the song.

You can listen to the entire album below and tell me what you think about her music. I Wonder where she is right now? Anyway, enjoy the album.