I’m actually way behind in posting this.

I have missed a lot of bands in my foreign acts to see bucket list but I would definitely not miss seeing Death Cab for Cutie live. I was not able get the best spot however, thanks to my trusty point-and-shoot super zoom camera! I was able to record some videos and took some photos during the concert.

Soul Meets Body

It was definitely one of the best concerts I’ve been to.

It’s always a pleasure for me to go to gigs organized by Rocked Philippines because we’re not only there for the music, we’re also there to support a cause. It was held at Route 196 (along Katipunan Ave). The highlight for me that night was when Dong Abay performed.

According to Dong Abay, that was the last time that he’ll be performing before going to New Zealand (yes, he’s already there).

Mich of Death by Tampon

Also, I enjoyed Death by Tampon’s performance. I haven’t seen them perform for years! It’s a good thing they they had a reunion gig before Laurie (one of their band members) went back to Singapore.

Check out my other photos of the Sendong relief gig in Flickr.

Taken by Cars is just one of the Filipino bands that I follow. And yes, their songs are in my iTunes playlist. Let’s help them make it to SXSW by pledging at ArtisteConnect.

Taken by Cars, June 2010

What’s in it for those who pledged?

Option 1: ₱500.00 or ($11.33)
MP3 compilation of Taken by Cars’ Remix Collection consisting of:
1. Nikos… Let’s Call This Love (Endings of a New Kind remixed)
2. Uh Oh It’s Electro (Taken by Cars vs. DJ Funk Avy)
3. Stereolove (Funk Avy remix)
4. December 2 Chapter VII (Funk Avy remix)
5. surprise remix from ‘Dualist’

Option 2: ₱1,000.00 or ($22.66)
MP3 compilation of Taken by Cars’ Remix Collection (same track list as above) and an official Taken by Cars at SXSW 2012 T-Shirt

Option 3: ₱2,500.00 or ($56.65)
Taken by Cars’ SXSW 2012 Special Edition DVD which will consist of the following:

1. Abduction: The SXSW Send Off Party concert
2. Taken by Cars Road to SXSW 2012 – live performance and behind the scenes outtakes of the entire trip to Austin, Texas (co-directed by Quark Henares)

The supporter will also be credited in Thank You notes of the DVD.

For all of the three options, delivery is valid worldwide. For option 3, the DVD will be sent 120 days from March 4, 2012.

Aside from Taken by Cars, you may also support other great artists at ArtisteConnect. Browse other projects here.

Rico Blanco and Amber Davis are both solo artists but, their music belongs to two different genres which can result into an interesting mash-up. The songs that Rico Blanco and Amber Davis mashed up were “Neon Lights” (by Rico Blanco) and “Manila” (by Amber Davis).

I think that Amber Davis is very lucky to work with Rico Blanco since Rico Blanco has a lot of experience and is one of the country’s top composers/songwriters.

About Rico Blanco

Rico Blanco has been in the music industry for a long time and he’s first known as one of the founding members of the band Rivermaya. Rico Blanco left Rivermaya in May 2007. On June 2008, Warner Music Philippines released Rico Blanco’s first single (as a solo artist) “Yugto”. His song “Yugto” won the “Song of the Year” award in the Awit Awards. Check out the interview with Rico Blanco at: http://musicstudio.coca-cola.com.ph/index.php/videos/vid-1323155486426/videos.html

About Amber Davis

Amber Davis is a Filipina-American artist. Her first single ‚ÄúManila‚Äù instantly became a hit in 2007. In the same year, she won in the Awit Awards for ‚ÄúBest Performance by a New Female Recording Artist.‚Äù She also became RX 93.1‚Äôs ‚ÄúArtist of the Year‚Äù in 2007. In the 2010 Urban Music Awards her song ‚ÄúTaas Noo‚Äù featuring Gloc 9 won the ‚ÄúBest Original Song‚Äù award. She was also awarded as the “Best Female R&B Artist” in the 2010 Urban Music Awards. She has singles being sold in iTunes. Please do check it out. Check out the interview of Amber Davis here: http://musicstudio.coca-cola.com.ph/index.php/videos/vid-1323154924573/videos.html

“Neon Lights” and “Manila” Mash-up Review

“Neon Lights” is a song from Rico Blanco’s debut album, “Your Universe”, as a solo artist. “Neon Lights” made it to the number one spot in the Hong Kong charts. This is one of my favorites from the album “Your Universe”. “Manila” is from Amber Davis’ album “Feel Good Music”.

Hearing those two songs shouldn’t be that hard to mash-up together. “Neon Lights” is a bit upbeat and makes me want to dance while the song “Manila” falls under the R&B genre.

The “Neon Lights” and “Manila” mash-up sounded like a medley. They first started off with the first part of “Neon Lights”. I think it’s a faster version. Then, they transitioned to “Manila” with a reggae sound and then to reggae/alternative. And then both Amber Davis and Rico Blanco sang “Manila” and “Neon Lights” altogether for their finale. I think that’s the best part of their mash-up.

Check out the mash-up performance of Amber Davis and Rico Blanco: http://musicstudio.coca-cola.com.ph/index.php/videos/vid-1323154738933/videos.html

Here’s the backstage photos of the mash-up performance of Amber Davis and Rico Blanco: http://musicstudio.coca-cola.com.ph/index.php/album-level2/1320739187139/album.html

Watch the Coca-Cola Music Studio on MYX every Sunday from 5:30pm to 6:00pm with replays on Tuesday from 7:30pm to 8:00pm.

It’s the first time I’ve heard of Somedaydream while Mobbstarr has been around in the music scene for a long time. Have you heard the song “Itsumo”? Yes, they are the hip-hop group behind that song.

Somedaydream and Mobbstarr will be mashing up the songs “Delivery Boys” (by Somedaydream) and “Eargasmic” (by Mobbstarr). Having heard both of the songs in YouTube, I think that they won’t have much a hard time doing the mash-up. The song “Eargasmic” is like a combination of hip-hop, electronica, R&B while the song “Delivery Boys” is electro-pop. However, the tempo of the both songs are way different, so I guess that part could be challenging for the both of them.

About Mobbstarr

Mobbstarr is a hip-hop group formed in 2002. They were first known as Dice and K9. Mobbstarr is composed of Dice, Chaz, Jay and Hi-C. They are the ones behind the LSS-inducing song “Itsumo” which have hit the mainstream. In 2006, Mobbstarr won the award Best Rap Song of the Year for their song “6 in Tha’ Mornin’”. Check out interviews of Mobbstarr at:
http://musicstudio.coca-cola.com.ph/index.php/videos/vid-1320230528910/videos.html
http://musicstudio.coca-cola.com.ph/index.php/videos/vid-1320230628933/videos.html

About Somedaydream

Somedaydream is a synthpop (or electro-pop) project of Rez Toledo. Somedaydream’s first single was released in 2011 and it’s entitled as “Hey Daydreamer”. His latest single, “Delivery Boys”, was released in August 2011. Check out the interviews of Somedaydream at:
http://musicstudio.coca-cola.com.ph/index.php/videos/vid-1318577072738/videos.html
http://musicstudio.coca-cola.com.ph/index.php/videos/vid-1318577111864/videos.html
http://musicstudio.coca-cola.com.ph/index.php/videos/vid-1318577144111/videos.html

“Delivery Boys” and “Eargasmic” Mash-up Review

I actually like the arrangement of the “Delivery Boys” and “Eargasmic” mash-up. In addition, it does not sound like a typical medley. What I just don’t like is the performance itself. There were some parts that were sung off-key. I’m sure you have noticed that if you were able to watch it. I do hope that they have a studio recording of their mash-up. Or better yet, Mobbstarr and Somedaydream should have more mash-up collaborations together.

Here’s the mash-up performance of Mobbstarr and Somedaydream: http://musicstudio.coca-cola.com.ph/index.php/videos/vid-1323338434679/videos.html

Check out the backstage photos of Somedaydream and Mobbstarr here: http://musicstudio.coca-cola.com.ph/index.php/album-level2/1317693550578/album.html

Watch the Coca-Cola Music Studio on MYX every Sunday from 5:30pm to 6:00pm with replays on Tuesday from 7:30pm to 8:00pm.

A Week in Metro Manila: Up Dharma Down is a documentary by Tony Rago. Finally, the documentary film by Rago will be first shown in Manila at November 12 at Capones, A. Venue. Aside from the film screening, Up Dharma Down will also perform and as well as The Charmes. The event shall start at 9pm. Entrance fee is 200 pesos.

About Tony Rago
Tony Rago is a Chicago-based film maker and is an avid fan of Up Dharma Down.

Thanks to Tony Rago for supporting the Filipino music independent scene with this film.

The documentary film features live performances and interviews. Please do watch out for it.

During the rehearsals in preparation of the mash-up performance of Rocksteddy and Quest, they do not look pressured. This is probably because that Quest and Teddy (of Rocksteddy) know each other.

I like their creative process in coming up with the mash-up. Rocksteddy listened to “Back to Love” first. The chords of the song was patterned from Quest’s song since the key of “Back to Love” and “Gising Na” does not differ much. Check out the interviews of Quest and Rocksteddy:

Quest Interview
Rocksteddy Interview

“Gising Na” (by Rocksteddy) and “Back to Love” (by Quest) mash-up is like a combination of Hip-Hop/R&B, Funk and Rock. I was not expecting that they would make the mash-up work because of the differences in their songs (language and genre). After hearing their mash-up, I did not feel that the outcome is just another medley. I like what they did with the intro of their mash-up because of the heavy and funky guitar riffs. I think the timing when each of the vocalists takes their respective turns to sing is just right. It does not feel that it was just included just to be able to conclude that they did a mash-up. I like how Quest delivered his rap lines. Check out the mash-up performance of Rocksteddy and Quest: http://musicstudio.coca-cola.com.ph/index.php/videos/vid-1317987324354/videos.html

Check out the back-stage photos of Quest and Rocksteddy at: http://musicstudio.coca-cola.com.ph/index.php/album-level2/1315409240282/album.html

Watch the Coca-Cola Music Studio on MYX every Sunday from 5:30pm to 6:00pm with replays on Tuesday from 7:30pm to 8:00pm.

Last time, Champ and Kitchie Nadal was featured at Coke Music Studio Season 2 where the songs “Bulong” and “Hanging Habagat” were mashed up together. They are both solo artists and they most likely have the same set of listeners. This time, Coke Music Studio is featuring Quest and Rocksteddy.

Rocksteddy is one of the popular pop/rock bands. As for Quest, it’s the first time I heard of this R&B solo artist. I checked out Quest’s official music video in YouTube and yes, I was surprised that Rocksteddy will be collaborating with him since their music is from two different genres.

The songs that Rocksteddy and Quest will be mashing up are: “Gising Na” (by Rocksteddy) and “Back to Love” (by Quest). I think the creativity of Rocksteddy and Quest will be pushed really hard since they come from different genres and the languages of the chosen songs are both different. However, I don’t think they will have a hard time working with each other since Teddy and Quest know each other according to this interview: http://musicstudio.coca-cola.com.ph/index.php/videos/vid-1317010825941/videos.html .

About Rocksteddy

Rocksteddy (formerly known as Acoustic Faith) is an alternative/pop/rock band and was founded in 2003. They have already three studio albums and these are: “Tsubtsatagilidakeyn” (released by Sony Music in 2006), “Patipatopanabla” (released by Sony Music in 2007) and “Ayos lang ako” (released by PolyEast Records in 2008). Rocksteddy is composed of Teddy Corpuz (lead vocals), Jeff Cucullo (drums), Christian Sindico (bass), and Juven Pelingon (guitars). Check out Rocksteddy’s interview at: http://musicstudio.coca-cola.com.ph/index.php/videos/vid-1317723176682/videos.html.

About Quest

Quest is a solo R&B artist also known as Jose Villanueva III. Sam Milby helped in producing Quest’s debut album “Revolution” which features his single “Back to Love”. Quest is the former music director of Victory Christian Fellowship. Check out Quest’s interview at: http://musicstudio.coca-cola.com.ph/index.php/videos/vid-1317723095466/videos.html.

Check out the back-stage photos of Quest and Rocksteddy at: http://musicstudio.coca-cola.com.ph/index.php/album-level2/1315409240282/album.html

Watch the Coca-Cola Music Studio on MYX every Sunday from 5:30pm to 6:00pm with replays on Tuesday from 7:30pm to 8:00pm.

Rock Rizal by Rock Ed Philippines

I know this is pretty much classified as “old news” but if you haven’t downloaded the Rock Rizal compilation yet, please do so. Check out Rock Rizal at SoundCloud or you can download everything via MediaFire.

It’s interesting to note that before they composed the songs for Rock Rizal, they had classes on Rizal according to Gang Badoy (founder of RockEd Philippines). I do wish teachers would use the audio tracks from Rock Rizal in their classes.

Pepe Smith and Ely Buendia at the Rock Rizal concert

One of my favorite tracks from this compilation is “Bungo sa Bangin” by Ely Buendia. This song is about Sisa (Sisa is one of the characters from Rizal’s novel “Noli Me Tangere”). Another favorite track is “Mi Ultimo Amor” by Sandwich which is about the girls that came into Rizal’s life. What I like about Radioactive Sago Project’s “Sino Si Pepe?” is that it poses questions for us that would lead us to learn more about Rizal.

Track Listing of Rock Rizal

1. “Bungo sa Bangin” by Ely Buendia

2. “Kung Tama Siya” by Gloc 9 featuring Jaq Dionisio of Kiss Jane

3. “Mi Ultimo Amor” by Sandwich

4. “Ikaw ang Aking Tahanan” by Ebe Dancel

5. “Lupang Pinangako” by Aiza Seguerra featuring Radha

6. “Sino Si Pepe?” by Radioactive Sago Project

7. “Shine A Light” by Jett Pangan

8. “Kumagat Man Ang Dilim” by Peryodiko

9. “Tamalee” by Hijo

10. “Pagbabalik” by Gab ‘n Josh and Reese & Vica

Since Champ and Kitchie Nadal sometimes get to be in the same gig together, I haven’t noticed any awkward moments during their rehearsals. Also, I think Champ’s band are great performers especially that Monty Macalino (vocalist and guitarist extraordinaire of Mayonnaise) is one of them.

Karel Honasan (bassist of Yosha) helped Kitchie Nadal and Champ with their mash-up collaboration for the songs “Bulong” (by Kitchie Nadal) and “Hanging Habagat” (by Champ). Both Champ and Kitchie Nadal liked the arrangement that Karel made for them.

For me, I think it would be more interesting if it came out sounding as a new song and not as a typical medley. The song started off with the intro of “Bulong” and after progressing to the first stanza, at some point, both songs will meet and will finally progress to ‚ÄúHanging Habagat‚Äù. The song ended up with them singing the last part of “Hanging Habagat” while guitars for “Bulong” were being played. Nevertheless, I like how the song ended.

Watch out for the next mash-up.

Check out the backstage photos of Champ and Kitchie here:
http://musicstudio.coca-cola.com.ph/index.php/album-level2/1312956903333/album.html

Check out the mash-up of “Bulong” (by Kitchie Nadal) and “Hanging Habagat” (by Champ):
http://musicstudio.coca-cola.com.ph/index.php/videos/vid-1315480603926/videos.html

Watch the Coca-Cola Music Studio on MYX every Sunday from 5:30pm to 6:00pm with replays on Tuesday from 7:30pm to 8:00pm.