No. 34 the Magazine for Independent Music And

THE MAGAZINE FOR INDEPENDENT MUSIC AND MOVEMENT NO. 34 ARCADIA . EVEN . FIONA . FRAGMENTS . GOD VS THE KINGS . HERB CABRAL . MNTKLYA MR BONES AND THE BONEYARD CIRCUS . SOUTHERN LIGHTS . THE BLACKSTONE CONSPIRACY UNHEARD . XPELIUM . PAMPANGA BANDS TRIBUTE . KEEPING THE STREAM ALIVE AHMAD TANJI AIMAX MACOY ALFIE VERA MELLA ANNE APOLINAR FOUNDER ANNE NICOLE E. LOPEZ ANDREW G. CONTRERAS & DESIGNER ARVIN KADIBOY BELARMINO CLARENCE BENEDICT YABUT ANTHONY BOMBEE DUERME CALVIN MIRALLES CHRISTIANA CARLO YBANEZ CHOLO ISUNGGA CHOO ISUNGGA CHRIS QUINTANA DAWN MONTOYA DEXTER KEN AQUINO CHIEF DON REX EDITOR EDELYNNE MAE ESCARTIN RIA ERVIN R. SALVADOR BAUTISTA ESHA BONSOL FRANCISCO AYUYAO FROI BATTUING HERB CABRAL HUGINN MUNINN IAN DELOS SANTOS INIGO MORTEL ISABELLE ROMUALDEZ PHOTO JANNA LEON JICA LAPENA EDITOR JOHN BLUES PATRICK JOHN LEE BRIONES JOHN MATTHEW ACOSTA JULIAN SOBREMONTE JUNE MONGAYA KAT CASTRO KARL KLIATCHKO KHEN CALMA KIMMY BAROAIDAN MUSIC LYNN JAIRUS MONTILLA MARK ANGELO NOCUM EDITOR MARK VERZO JAN TERENCE M. B. SALVANO TOLENTINO MIKE TWAIN MIGZ AYUYAO NIKOS KAZIRES PEN ISLA RED RIVERA ROBERT BESANA ROXANNE NEBRES DJ SARAH BUNNY DOMINGUEZ SHIENA CORDERO EDITOR TERRENCE LYLE TULIO MAY CEDILLA‐ TOMI UYSINGCO VILLACORTA VINA THERESE ARRIESGADO WESLEY VITAN WINA PUANGCO YOGI PAJARILLO Disclaimer: All rights reserved. No part of this magazine or content may be reproduced or used without the written permission of the publisher: C.A. Editorial Consultants. All information contained in this magazine is for information only, and is, as far as we are aware, correct at the time of going to press. The views, ideas, comments, and opinions expressed in this publication are solely of the writers, interviewees, press agencies, and manufacturers and do not represent the views of the editor or the publisher. Whilst every care is taken to ensure the accuracy and honesty in both editorial and advertising content at press time, the publisher will not be liable for any inaccuracies or losses incurred. Readers are advised to contact manufacturers and retailers directly with regard to the price of products/services referred to in this magazine. If you submit material to us, you automatically grant C.A. Editorial Consultants a license to publish your submission in whole or in part in all editions of the magazine, including licensed editions worldwide and in any physical or digital format throughout the world. Finding an outlet to release all that negativity is one way of taking care of yourself during this lockdown period. one of the brief moments when we can let go of all the bad vibes and transport ourselves to our happy place. With establishments being closed, and everyone being urged After all, many recipes on the to stay indoors, have of us have either internet, practicing you ever wondered how experienced drastic our barista skills, our local acts are changes to our taking the time to doing? When was the lifestyle, our finish a long-overdue last time you saw any income, or worse. personal project, of them play live, or To cope with the and pondering whether heard any news about frustration and to file refunds from them? How do you boredom, we turn to concerts that never think they are coping hobbies we didn’t pushed through due in during this ECQ? usually have time to the pandemic. for, or haven’t Most of the time, We’ve taken the time discovered yet: we find ourselves to find out from a discovering new listening to music – handful of them. WWW.UNPLUGPH.COM Giniling Festival Giniling Festival had just played at the UP Fair and did an online show at Rakista Radio days before the lockdown began. Despite this event, vocalist Jeje Santos shares that his personal routine hasn’t changed, and that he has been working from home for a while now. Although the band has not tried anything new at the moment, Jeje is positive that his bandmates have plenty to keep themselves entertained. “I’ve learned that people would always create and consume music, but our ways will definitely change because of this pandemic. Thankfully, we are all safe. That’s what matters,” Jeje says. WWW.UNPLUGPH.COM Joey Dizon The first few days of the ECQ did not treat Joey Dizon well. “I ended up going back and forth to the hospital for real-deal anxiety attacks, and to be frank, I literally felt unhealthy: staying locked-up in a condo, not being able to go outside and hang with friends and see family, reading all the crap that people had been posting on social media, and dealing with loss, I don’t think anybody even... I just imploded, ever imagined we’d be finally.” put in a situation like this, so it’s a forceful Fortunately, after reminder of sorts to getting himself tested basically, be grateful and getting the right The former Editor-in- and well… as much as you medication, the Chief of PULP Magazine can, be nice: no one guitarist most famously also started two podcasts likes an asshole. known for his past - Behind The Song and tenure with Skychurch Behind The Stage. It On a more positive note, and many other bands, involves him getting into I have been reminded – found himself just a Zoom meeting with some now more than ever – how talking with his of his musician friends, music can really make a bandmates and other recording the session, difference. On good musicians to simply talk and listen to their days, on bad days, days about music – without stories about some of our when you’re scared, the excess baggage. favorite songs and angry; I thought I events, from their point already knew that, but His new routine consists of view. yeah – it is awesome to of working a home, and realize that you really recording and exchanging When asked about what do feel better after tracks with his fellow lessons he has learned listening to, or playing musicians using his over the course of the music. Another reminder newly-acquired iRIg. nationwide quarantine, to self: you have to be “it’s literally a Joey says “It may sound able to evolve and cope lifesaver. Keeps me sane like a cliché, but the with whatever happens. and busy, and it’s first thing is never take Find creative ways. And pretty idiot-proof, so people or things for you still have to it’s perfect,” he says. granted; I mean, practice.” WWW.UNPLUGPH.COM Valley of Chrome 2019 was Valley of Chrome’s biggest year to date. With numerous out-of- the-country shows, including the mother of all metal festivals, Wacken Open Air. Entering 2020, the band was ready for an equally action-packed year – until the country closed all flights to the outside world. “The nationwide lockdown made us step back and re-prioritize what we want to do after the quarantine,” shares Rogel Simon, the band’s frontman. “We just had a band meeting, and the collective vision is important,” he adds. According to Rogel, all of the members of Valley of Chrome dedicate themselves to practicing their music playing, despite the current constraints of the ECQ. Aside from that, it’s the regular routine of exercise, podcasts, Netflix, writing, and dabbling in art to pass the time. When asked what lessons he has learned so far during this pandemic, Rogel simply says, “Nothing is promised. Cherish everything.” WWW.UNPLUGPH.COM Manila Under Fire Before the ECQ, Only Nikos Kaziras, too. That's how we Manila Under Fire had their drummer, has quick get the feeling of access to the studio, accomplishment in these just started rolling which comes in handy troubled times. Don't the ball with with when he does his drum let it stop you.” Strong Management PH. videos. Despite these constraints, vocalist “The greatest lesson The Red Horse Muziklaban Gabby Gamboa shares how that I've learned during champions of 2014 were his bandmates all this ECQ, was finding now teamed up with cooperate to create new myself. For all of those fellow Muziklaban material. that are stuck at home, champions Woopis and this is the best time to Shotgun Combo. Everyone “The good thing about find yourself again. was excited as they Manila Under Fire, each Everything is put on- started 2020 strong with person is capable of hold. Nobody is going to 2 shows, but found writing. Gilmar sets out judge you and you can be themselves in limbo a riff, but already has someone that you are after the announcement the drum pattern idea. happy with. Instead of of the nationwide So, he shows that and being bored, why don't lockdown. Nikos refines it to his you reinvent yourself? taste. Or, Nikos does a Discover things that you With all of the band’s hooker on the piano and couldn't do before and equipment in the studio, hums out the melody, learn something new,” every member tries their passes it to me and I add Gabby shares. best to work with the the words and also refine limited resources they it to my taste. I guess have at home. every other band does it, WWW.UNPLUGPH.COM Kamikazee When the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Metro Manila, Kamikazee had just finished their 20th anniversary tour with Urbandub, and were supposed to bring the tour overseas. Although he misses playing onstage, guitarist Jomal Linao is thankful that, at the very least, he gets to spend more time with his family. As for what else keeps him busy, all he has to say is “Eating, sleeping, playing the guitar, working out, Netflix, and repeat!” The band is making the most out of this lockdown period by spending quality time with their family and loved ones.

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