By John Sarao, Jonnah Dayuta and yours truly
(as published in The La Sallian's The Menagerie section)
Take a look at your iPod (or whatever MP3 player you might use) right now and check your top-played list. John Mayer, Katy Perry, Maroon 5 – chances are, it’s a foreign artist. Now, take a look at the top OPM artists on the MYX Daily Top Ten today – chances are it’s nothing but a litany of pretty boy rock or some other variation of pop. It’s not necessarily bad music, but in terms of variety, it leaves a lot to be desired.
And so people flock to foreign music, and make bold proclamations such as “OPM is dead!”
Where has the good music gone? Well, it’s still there. Because hidden in the alleys of the cities, in small bars and hidden venues, lurk the unsung heroes of Filipino music, playing not for the money, not for the looks, but for the sheer passion of it.
OPM isn’t dead; it’s just hiding right under our noses, and here are 10 bands to prove it.
ALL FOR PATRICIA
A female vocal lead and an ensemble of seasoned musicians will take one through a beautiful harmony of jazz and lyrics – so soothing that at the end of every song, the unsuspecting audiophile will pronounce and hail, “All for Patricia!” The band’s repertoire of songs – from their eponymous album, hits like “Paasa”, “Sulyap”, “Sa Aking Panaginip”, and “Lipad” – combines the sentimentalities of want and longing with the influence of soul, funk, and a whole lot of jazz. The band’s rendition of the Gary Valenciano original “Di Na Natuto” provides a necessary exclamation mark for All for Patricia’s live gigs. Check out the band at www.allforpatricia.com
FLYING IPIS
The last synonym the local vernacular will honor for a detested household pest is an all-female band with a formidable line up of punk rock music backed with an extreme no-nonsense attitude. Apparently, Flying Ipis – the band – is all that and more. Composed of four high school buddies from a Catholic school, Flying Ipis renders vocal ferociousness to their signature singles like “Past is past, B**ch”, “This Song is About You”, “Sssikreto” – songs that are contagious in their rhythm and brutal honesty. The band’s playlist is available at www.myspace.com/flyingipis.
MITHI
When seven musically-inclined individuals form a band, the diverse combination of backgrounds and influences results to a culmination of genres – a variety of pop, rock, classical, and the alternative. This provides Mithi, the Filipino derivation of “aim or goal”, its distinct, easy-to-listen pop-alternative sound. The band’s list of singles – including “In Time”, “Sana”, and “Calypso” – provokes a positive outlook despite the tragedies of the common life, a message which the band aspires to reach its audience with their passion for music. For more of Mithi, check out www.facebook.com/makamithi
DECEMBER AVENUE
Reminiscent of OPM in the day of cassette tapes, back when lyrics had personal poetic intent and when melody was more than being catchy but was a complement in order to make the song whole – December Avenue gives a musical renaissance of what good music sound like and what it used to be.
With singles like “Eroplanong Papel”, “Sleep Tonight”, and “Confessions”, December Avenue gives a delightful cacophony of authentic modern day pop-rock OPM that is distinct and genuine. Limited copies of their EP, “Candles”, are available at Sonic Shape & Music Co., Eastwood.
JOHN SOSMENA
Coupled with a voice that would make boyfriends wish their girlfriends were deaf and poetics that make them wish they were illiterate, John Sosmeña is a gifted budding young singer and songwriter with singles that yet remain unheard. Poetically resonant words embedded into every chorus and refrain, this starting composer already shows that his capabilities are beyond potential, already promising improvement with every new note.
"This Is Love”, “Believe”, and “Alaska” being only some of his latest compositions, are all available for preview on his Sound Cloud (http://soundcloud.com/john-sosmena), his cool, sultry tones are sure to have anyone believe in true passion and dare to dream, wait, and love again.
JENSEN GOMEZ
In a world wherein most art tells you not to care, to push bad feelings away, Jensen Gomez’s music, in welcome contrast, invites you to be vulnerable again. Gomez embraces that vulnerability and, though his music, awakens emotions long forgotten. His songs are filled with lyrics that make you feel what it’s like to get hurt and understand that it only hurts when it matters.
With songs such as “3:40”, “Hooking Up Daisies”, and “Umpisa”, Jensen Gomez makes it alright to feel again, to be alive, and to hope that there are still some people who have faith in humans with humanity. Details on his album, “Understatements”, can be found at www.jensengomez.com
JOHNOY DANAO
One man, one guitar, and a lot of heart is all you really need to make great music, as Johnoy Danao can testify to.
Whether it’s staying in bed on a rainy Saturday morning (the track, “Ulan”) , giving in to the whimsical fancies of the heart (“Pagbigyan), or even standing up to the social concerns of our country (“One Day), Danao’s laid-back melodies, paired with the smoothest voice this side of Asia, has it covered. You can learn more about Johnoy at his website, http://www.johnoydanao.com/
THE OUT OF BODY SPECIAL
The OBS/Brand new flavor/Doing you a favor/Stereotype breaker, front man Carlo Magno belts out. A unique blend of jazz, hip-hop, soul, rock, and funk, the OBS does exactly that – break stereotypes.
The octet’s music are both electrifying and heart-wrenching, and their debut album, “Is Love”, tackles subjects, from the tantalizing initial stages of attraction (the track, “Got Me”), to the visceral post-love phase of nostalgia (“Kumakailan Lang”), and everything in-between. So for anyone looking to get Out of Body, their music can be found at http://www.facebook.com/outofbodyspecial/
TECHY ROMANTICS
The electronic-dance trio, Techy Romantics, stands among the country’s best in the growing genre. Heavy bass beats and mellow melodies, cascaded with a myriad of synth effects, all laced together with the female vocalist’s entrancing voice come to create music that is not only catchy, but also sensual and deeply intimate. Their 2009 effort, “Touch”, which features stand-out tracks “Out of My Mind,” and “Dance Like Lightning,” will undoubtedly have you moving your feet to their irresistible beats. Their music can be found at http://techyromantics.com/
REESE AND VICA
In a world where there are a multitude of musical acts creating music, it’s very hard to find a sound to call your own, yet that is exactly what the young female duo of Reese and Vica have done. Featuring hauntingly beautiful vocals and dreamy riffs, their brand of folk music is one that will easily stand out in the OPM Scene. Learn more about them and their EP, “Crossing Neverland,” at http://www.facebook.com/ReeseVica
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