Ah, to be young and without a care in wearing your heart on your sleeve. This is the feeling that one gets from listening to this quartet that forms part of the current resurgence of the shoegaze scene in Cebu City. Recently formed in just under a year, yet delivering their trademark bitter-sweet, sonically-charged songs, […]
Category: Out of Tune – Artist Interview Series
Out of Tune (OOT) is an Artist Interview series that highlights the Cebuano indie music scene experience featuring local indie rock bands in the region. Every week, our resident interviewer, Patrick Gallito, exchanges banter with a featured artist or a band over a set of questions and some casual libations, which, may or may not contain inebriating elements.
OOT features a video format with excerpts from the full interview. For those who want to get to read the “full” interview, a written transcription is also available. (save for some parts that the artists request to be omitted to avoid offending sensibilities)
OUT OF TUNE – VERSE VI – ASHTRAYS TO GAZA
When asked what their first instrument was growing up, Jiesus nonchalantly answered, “my voice”, an answer that is mirrored by Tintin. In this emotionally-laden outfit, the soulful vocals of the band sits perfectly well with their heart-wrenching lyrics masked by noise so sweet resulting in songs so potent that they could freeze the listener in […]
OUT OF TUNE – VERSE V – bedtime television
My, my, time flies. And just like that it would be at least six years since ouija bored was written. The single written on All Hallow’s Eve that would later become the band’s introduction to the indie music scene. Gather ’round as we celebrate another year of it’s inception with the band that continues to […]
OUT OF TUNE – VERSE IV – KUBRA COMMANDER
How else could I describe what these guys are doing other than it being a statement of love? Love for the music and their craft. Any and all rewards that Kubra Commander have reaped and will reap are very well-deserved. Their catchy Brit pop, psych rock, and new wave flavor will steadily flutter like a flag that beckons to everyone, proclaiming that here in this small island of Cebu is an act that will challenge the mainstream perception of what music should be acceptable and playable on Philippine airwaves and beyond. While they are extremely busy with their mini-bar tour to raise funds for their upcoming Manila tour, we are grateful that the band still found time to sit down with us and talk about their music, the scene, and other related (and not-so-related) topics.
OUT OF TUNE – VERSE III – HOLLYWOOD FOLK HOGAN
When asked the question, “Are you guys aware of how good you are?” They jokingly answer, “You’re welcome”, as a comical response that seems to imply that they are doing the world a service by making their music. All jokes aside, people who have seen them live or heard their demos would certainly permit them this remark without judgment given the group’s unquestionable ability to create and deliver music that touches the soul. In this third instalment of Out of Tune, we take an unexpected trip with Hollywood Folk Hogan, the quartet whose captivating and unique sound helps them carve their own place in a scene that is usually occupied by fast, loud and aggressive acts, yet without strain commands the attention even of the most unwilling ears.
OUT OF TUNE – VERSE II – AWKWARD DANCER
“Cause I’m just a reel fixer…” Just hearing the first line to this song will make it difficult, if not impossible, for you to stop finishing it in its entirety. Awkward Dancer, a rag-tag crew originally organized in a hasty fashion as replacements for an open spot in a gig, seem to have found the golden formula to captivate the unwary listener. For a band that was formed in a span of just under a year they already have people singing the words to their songs in their live performances and (we have it on good authority) even inspired some of their audience to form their own band. Join us in the second episode of OUT OF TUNE as we further acquaint ourselves with JB, Jeremy, Cris99 and Luke (or Josh), the awkward souls that form Awkward Dancer.
OUT OF TUNE – VERSE I – FOLDING BED
The second of September gave us a treat in the form of Megumi Acorda playing in From Here, Crossroads. Equally a treat was the sonically-charged set of Folding Bed who played as one of the opening acts. Looking at the faces of and hearing the people talk after the event would prove that this four-piece brought down the house, figuratively speaking. When I decided to start a docuseries of the artists in the local subculture and indie scene, it was a no-brainer to invite them. I felt grateful that these noisemakers agreed to grace the first issue of the series. This is OUT OF TUNE, an interview series where we get to know better the bands that gave us the music that are oft ignored, who continue to battle it out in a hard-to-please music scene with hardly any reward, fueled by nothing other than their passion and love for the arts.