DECEMBER AVENUE X KHALIL RAMOS: STORIES BEHIND THE SONGS

Behind any great song is a great story, and the mad skills to be able to express that story powerfully and differently.  December Avenue is a band that has become known for strong melodies with lyrics that really hit you in the heart; it has taken them a decade to break from the under the radar musical scene to breaking to the more established roster of OPM bands.  Khalil Ramos first burst onto the scene when he won second place in the ABS CBN reality show Pilipinas Got Talent.  From being a recording talent, he crossed over to teleseryes, mainstream and indie movies, but in his heart, he never really let go of music. As an artist, music was his first passion, his first love, his first home.

December Avenue

It may seem like an unlikely pairing, the gritty indie band slogging it out at gig after gig and the reality star who was able to build on overnight success,  but from the minute they met, the collaboration was seamless.  “Good vibes lang talaga; parang tropa,” says Zel Bautista, vocalist and acoustic guitarist on December Avenue. His bandmates Jem Manuel (on lead guitar), Don Gregorio (on bass) and Jet Danao (on drums) nod in agreement.  “Khalil told us that the music he really loves is more of the rock, and grunge-y, and so he was just going back to what he really loved. And even if this was the first time we had ever collaborated with a male performer, which might sound strange at first because we like our songs to have a story, there was  a deep level of commitment on both sides.” 

On Khalil’s part, he admits, “Even if I know about their band and their songs, I had no idea that they have already been on the scene for about 10 years.  I could relate to that feeling because when I  decided to start acting after my start as a singer, it also took a few years for me to be accepted as an actor.  So we bonded on that, because it’s really not fast or easy.” 

He then adds, “I’ve always been a big fan of OPM and the local band scene.  In fact, I was at a magazine party and the entertainment was really good young bands and it made me decide that I would really return to music and live performing.  It was always inside of me even if I’ve been doing more acting but I even met with my management to brainstorm that now, I wanted to do more in music.”

Zel admits watching the first season of Coke Studio and thinking, with a little bit of envy, that he also wanted December Avenue to be a part of it.  “So when they told us that we would be a part of it, I was surprised and overwhelmed, even if it was something that I had secretly wished for.”  Jem’s whole attitude to the whole spirit of collaboration was: “Just be open.” ZEL says, “Even if Khalil is younger than us, it was actually a very easy process.”  ZEL sums it up, “Good vibes.”  Don affirms, “Parang tropa.”  And ZEL finds that the reason is simple.  “He was just coming home to his passion.  Music.   We could sense the same deep level of commitment from Khalil. If you have love for the craft, love for the science, and express yourself musically, a lot of people will get the message.  You’ve just got to be hopeful.”  For his part, Khalil says, “I was giving everything.  I’m not here to play around, but at the same time, I was also enjoying it all, keeping myself in line but exerting an effort.  We were coming from the same perspective that it was a challenge but let’s keep it free-flowing.  It was crazy but a super good experience, a reaffirmation of what I’ve been waiting for.”

In Khalil’s acting and December Avenue’s lyrics lies a core of emotional openness, a rare and real vulnerability.  ZEL says, “Inside of everyone is that certain softness, we have those emotions inside of us.  What we do is we tell that story.” Khalil also says, “It depends on how you use that energy, it can be an advantage, you can get to feel more.”  So whether you call it a first love or a passion, that is your truth, where your heart can finally sing its best and brightest song.  Of their song itself, Khalil says unreservedly, “It’s an epic song!  Ang lakas ng bagsak!”

Khalil Ramos

Sometimes, home can be a place ; but it can also be meeting the right people at the right time, who can release all the very best in you.  When you have found a way home to your passion, then you can truly say that you’ve made it back home.

Taste the sounds of Pinoy music as Khalil Ramos and December Avenue collaborate for Coke Studio Season 2. Catch them on October 28, at 11:15 a.m. before ASAP on ABS-CBN or on www.youtube.com/CokeStudioPH

Right in the Feels: Let Moira & AJ Serenade us with their Collab for Coke Studio Homecoming.

AJ Rafael and Moira Dela Torre

“Teen love is a discovery,” says AJ Rafael and Moira dela Torre, the music and lyrics to the feelings we can’t show and say out loud.

Moira moved from Olongapo to Manila at the age of 16 for college, it was also the same age when she covered AJ’s widely successful ‘Without You’. Citing AJ as one of her influences, she went on taking AB Music Production at De La Salle – College of St. Benilde. After watching performances from Coke Studios all over the world, Moira said she was very grateful to have been given this opportunity for she had been excited for her friends who were part of Coke Studio Season 1. Little did everyone know, Moira and AJ have been friends for more than two years now and they have their friends to thank for that.

“Feels natural, feels right, there’s a strong connection,” AJ shares upon knowing that he will be partnering with Moira for this project. It’s been a long time coming for the two artists to work on a song together who both admitted they attempted writing songs several times prior to this collaboration. “But it was difficult because of the long distance,” according to AJ.

Moira Dela Torre

AJ is a Filipino – American artist who is well-known for his self – released songs on YouTube. He has been independent and hardworking on making music and collaborating with other artists from the very beginning. “I feel very honored in lots of ways, this is my first time to be part of such a big production”, AJ says after telling how he only produces and shoots his content at home. Although this is their first time creating and completing music together, Moira was already able to be on AJ’s channel several times, and AJ gave an impromptu performance of ‘Without You’ with Moira during her concert last April.

Talking about what they have come up with, “It’s about finding your escape and that home doesn’t have to be a place,” AJ stresses. Moira, on the other hand, sang a few lines from where they have taken off, “Let me pause and breathe it in, let me close my eyes and take it in. No photograph can capture all the happiness I have inside.”

AJ Rafael

Moira and AJ are both beyond thankful for this collaboration, which gave them the constant time together they never had before. “I learned how professional he is,” Moira gushes as AJ was sick during the interview and shoot. AJ was here for a week and it happened towards the latter part of his stay. “We got more in tune,” AJ concludes.

Whether our Teen Love has long been gone or as for some still fall under it, it would always be nice to look back and remember the time we realized we are actually capable of feeling those feelings. As for Moira and AJ, they’re filled with gratitude to be art of someone’s high school soundtrack and be able to convey the feelings we can’t put into words through music.

Watch how Moira Dela Torre and AJ Rafael collaborate for a refreshing kind of music that celebrates their own genres in the fifth episode of Coke Studio. Catch them this Sunday, October 21 at 11:15 a.m. before ASAP on ABS-CBN or on www.youtube.com/CokeStudioPH.

SAM CONCEPCION X BEN&BEN: WE ARE FAMILY

Ben&Ben

Whatever the genre, whatever the era, good music will contain the seeds of universal truths.  While most songs are understandably about romantic love, it still is notable that there are few songs about the love that can be found in the family.  Ben&Ben are especially qualified to be part of a song about family because they are literally related as well as a family that was formed by love for music.  And song writer and guitarist Paolo Benjamin Guico shares, “Sam (Concepcion) became part of our band!” So bonded are Ben&Ben that for their interview, they refused to begin until all nine members were present and ready to begin.  The band was started by twins Paolo Miguel Guico and Miguel Benjamin Guico, hence their band name; and has now grown to include Poch Barretto on lead guitar, Jam Villanueva on drums, Agnes Resona on bass, Patricia Lasaten on keyboards, Ton Muñoz on percussion, and backing vocals and Kiefer Cabugao on vocals.  For all of them to bond so strongly and effortlessly with Sam Concepcion, not just on the songwriting but on the performing and recording as well, is proof positive that music can truly unite people. “We just connected as a family, sakto lang talaga” Sam insists.

Sam Concepcion

“Talking about the family can be so cheesy, too cheesy!  And sometimes, the emotions can also be too close to home,” admits Paolo.  “Maybe it’s just easier to talk about love in general, than to say that it's about a family,” Sam supposes when asked about the rarity of songs that delve into the dynamics of a family.  Very early on in the process, they all honed in on that aspect of going back to your roots. “Just go back, go back, that was very clear. To what family is and what a beautiful story that can be,” Sam reveals.  It was a good parallel to their process. “Yes, it could have been difficult, we’re all very different people but what made us gel is that we all felt the same about the family.” The Ben and Ben family all admit that while their songs might be smooth and easy to listen to, there are some deep and potentially heartbreaking aspects to their lyrics as well.  “We’re nine so that’s nine different experiences from nine different families, so we find what can cross the all that,” Agnes observes. But even with all that, Paolo says it was easy to find their groove. “It really just happened.” Miguel then adds, “Even if we had to build the song slowly, everyone just understood the feeling we wanted.” Paolo then says, “And once we started jamming , there was just that magic of playing together.”

Taste the sounds of Pinoy music as Sam Concepcion and Ben&Ben collaborate for Coke Studio Season 2. Catch them on October 7, at 11:15 a.m. before ASAP on ABS-CBN or on www.youtube.com/CokeStudioPH

Just Between the Girls: DJ Patty and Kriesha

Patty Tiu (Left) & Kriesha Tiu (Right)

From the fashionable t-shirts that read:  WE SHOULD ALL BE FEMINISTS or THE FUTURE IS FEMALE, it is strongly and undeniably a great time to be a girl.  When a full-blooded Filipina who grew up in California (but she comes back to the Philippines ever year) and a known innovator of the dance scene come together , musical sparks are about to fly.

While many Filipinos are K-Pop fans, one girl went above and beyond and conquered the K-Pop World.  Kriesha has already launched two albums in Korea, she has become a finalist in a reality singing show, and she is the face of a skin care brand as well.  And all this while still in her teens!

Kriesha Chu

The theme of homecoming hits close to home for Kriesha.  She was only 16 when she decided that she would move to Korea and become a k-pop star.  “I was just so determined to prove that a Filipino could make it there.  There was just something in me that was so sure that it was something that I could do.  For most teenagers, their biggest decision of their life is going to college.  But for me, there was so much that I had to do, I had to learn to multitask. Learn to be more confident and just be so much more.  I’m such a perfectionist.   And so for me, the idea of home is something movable.  I grew up in the States but we would come here to the Philippines to go on vacation every year. So when I think about our song, I imagine that the listeners will be able to feel the joy of what a homecoming is.”

“When I heard that I was going to work with a DJ, then I knew that I would be with someone creative, someone who has a lot of ideas!” Kriesha admits.  DJ Patty then adds, “I was just so happy that someone who is part of my scene can be a part of this collaboration, that our scene was recognized.  Some people have this misconception that being a DJ is just about partying. We don’t just press the play button and then that’s it. But there’s also an art to it.”

Kriesha Chu & Patty Tiu

And still on the topic of family, in the brief time that they worked on their collaboration, Kriesha and DJ Patty were able to form a close-to-being-a-family bond.  “I was really very impressed that she would just go to Korea and try to make it at such a young age. She was so sure of herself. But she was so quiet and reserved on the set, while I was more all over the place. When we were working on our song, I felt as if I had a younger sister, that she is someone with so much heart,” DJ Patty observes.

Of their collaboration, they look back with a lot of insight and heart.  Kriesha reflects, “Because I had to think so much of what home really is, then I also learned a lot about myself.”  DJ Patty says, “There were times when it was still surreal.  That I couldn't believe that I was asked to be part of it, and thinking, ‘Is it true?’  And I felt that I was representing my whole scene.  Though I’m very proud of what I’ve achieved, we still have to keep on pushing forward, to just keep pushing.  I’m very grateful that our scene is being recognized, we’re artists, too.”

Patty Tiu

When asked what’s it really like to be a female in the music industry, and what that perspective brings to their music, both of them have a lot to say. “When you’re a girl, you just know that you’re being scrutinized more, both on the stage while you’re performing and also off the stage.  So, at the same time, it just makes you work harder,” Kriesha realizes.  “As a woman, you’re just more in touch with your emotions.  You have so much heart, and that will come out in the music.”

For many young girls, fairy tales encourage them to dream of happily ever after.  Kriesha and DJ Patty were brave and savvy enough to dream big dreams of fulfilling their musical destinies. Their dreams didn't come from fanciful storybooks but from their own hearts. And in the world of music, there is no happy ending, just one big happy journey.

Taste the sounds of Pinoy music as Kriesha Chu and Patty Tiu collaborate for Coke Studio Season 2. Catch them on September 30, at 11:15 a.m. before ASAP on ABS-CBN or on www.youtube.com/CokeStudioPH

Stay Woke: The power of words & ideas by Quest & Juan Miguel Severo for Coke Studio Season 2 Homecoming.

Quest & Juan Miguel Severo

They’re only words, goes the refrain of an old pop song, but rapper Quest and spoken word pioneer Juan Miguel Severo wield words as mighty weapons.  And their love affair with words began very, very early.

Quest

Quest remembers:  “My childhood was not easy.  Both my parents had problems so I spent a lot of time with my cousins.  And I would borrow casette tapes from them.  That’s how I fell in love with both words and music.  It happened at the same time.  Imagine, I started with cassettes and now there’s streaming!”  Juan Miguel’s memories are actually his mom’s stories.  “My mom said that when I was two years old, I would give her a flower and recite a poem when I handed it to her.  She would write down these poems and save them.  Sadly, we live in a flood prone area and those poems are now lost.  I read my first book at 5 and wrote my first poem at 11.  And I also love performing and so it all comes together with spoken word.”

Juan Miguel Severo

Quest discovered his talent for rap with his church but then moved on to more mainstream works.  Recognized as an eminent urban storyteller and a “microphone revolutionary’ Quest’s song “Sige Lang” was named in 2012 as the official song of Gilas Pilipinas, the national men’s basketball team.  Juan Miguel Severo began performing his spoken word works in university venues and smaller clubs until he was given a role in the Jadine teleserye On the Wings of Love and he brought spoken word to the world of television and thus, more popular recogntion.

The life of the artist is itself a quest, and both these artists cherish the journey.  Quest says:  “I want my listeners to go on a journey from darkness to light; from sadness to joy; from confusion to clarity.”  Juan Miguel sees a more personal view of it.  “I know what I want to be and that’s better.  The quest is to be better; to face wanting to be better.”

Inspired by the theme of the homecoming and the dynamic energy of their collab, Quest and Juan Miguel was eloquent on the very essence of home.

Juan Miguel Severo

“Home is not tangible,” Quest declares.  “It is a personal message to find home; like a ‘note to self.’  To find home is to find what makes you feel alive, to solidify what you are as a person.”  Juan Miguel says, “I know that this collab is a big thing for myself, but it is also bigger than myself.  We need to push boundaries.  What I want to express is to let everyone know that their journey, their story is valid.  I want to give them hope.”

Watch how Quest and Juan Miguel Severo collaborate for a refreshing kind of music that celebrates their own genres in the second episode of Coke Studio. Catch it every Sunday at 11 a.m. on ABS-CBN or on www.youtube.com/CokeStudioPH.

COKE STUDIO SEASON 2: IV OF SPADES X SHANTI DOPE

IV of Spades X Shanti Dope: left to right: Blaster Silonga, Badjao De Castro, Zild Benitez & Shanti Dope.

“Shookt,” sums up Zild Benitez of IV of Spades when he and his bandmates Blaster Silonga and Badjao de Castro when they were told of their Coke Studio collaboration. “Although, we have to admit that there was also some fear,” admits Badjao. “But even if there was that fear, we still had to do it.  We’re just enjoying it.” ZILD then turns philosophical and says,  “There’s a saying that you should grab opportunity, but sometimes you should also grab the fear.”  Known for their distinctive and some would say, brave sartorial choices, fear is not exactly what we would associate with this groundbreaking band that makes not just music but also creates a super stylish and cool vibe for their fans.

IV of Spades

Just going into music, even though they are all from musical families was a big act of audacity for these three musicians.  “People think that because our parents were musicians, they encouraged us, but it’s actually the opposite. They were always pointing out to us how hard it is to choose a life in music,” Zild begins. And Badjao and Blaster nod in agreement.  “We still did it!” Blaster says. Of the collaboration itself, they come up with the words unusual, challenging and exciting to describe the whole process.  Badjao adds, “Very challenging and exciting.” ZILD adds, “We are part of a generation that’s not boxed in by genre. We knew that Shanti Dope is edgy so we just wanted to enjoy the collaboration.”

Shanti Dope

Teen prodigy Shanti Dope exploded onto the rap scene at age 16, but he himself says that even as a child, he wasn't like other children. He discovered rap at age 9, as he was sound tripping with his friends, and it created a space where he could be himself.  His parents separated when he was young and he was shuttled among various relatives.  Though adults expect teenagers to be obsessed with puppy love and such, Shanti Dope raises the big questions. His songs tackle such weighty topics as the futility of materialism and biting social commentary.  “Bata pa ako, inuusisa ko na ang mga bagay na hindi pang-bata.” (Ever since childhood, I would be curious about matters that are not just for children.)  Now mentored by rap legend Gloc 9, Shanti Dope just waves aside any fancy titles as the next big thing in rap, just happy to keep on experimenting on his music.  “Lahat lahat puedeng i-adapt,” he muses, echoing the open and experimental attitude to music as the IV of Spades guys.

IV of Spades x Shanti Dope

 When asked how to describe their song, Shanti Dope, quips, “Parang vintage na classy barong.”  ZILD pipes in, “It’s like a big work of graffiti.”  “That has been enhanced by photoshop,” adds Blaster. 

They all marveled at how effortless and seamless their chemistry emerged.  Maybe it’s their shared openness to experimentation.  Maybe it’s their youth.  Or maybe it’s just that when you love creating and performing, your shared artistry just flows.