The Scene Around: Racc!oon

2/27/2016 7:39:47 PM

After a successful charity nightout four months ago, Mika Ordonez and her friends is back for another gig; with a bigger venue, heavier lineup, and a legitimate identity.

They are now called Raccoon Productions, and they debuted with formality and emphasis as they called their first gig RACC!OON!: A Charity Gig for Kythe Foundation.

Held on a Friday night (22 January 2016) at Route 196 in Quezon City, Racc!oon drew a typical soldout outing as they were able to raise funds enough to cover the expenses for their sponsored child named Ariana Soriano.

The four-year old beneficiary, whom hailed from Tarlac, is suffering from Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia; but already had been undergoing her main chemotherapy cycles and will be on the verge of having two maintenance cycles which will run for two years.

Eight bands graced the evening: M.I.C., Indigo Sweep, Ang Bandang Shirley, Lions and Acrobats, Odayo, Jensen and The Flips, Tom’s Story and Flying Ipis. 

In all the acts I have heard before, a debuting M.I.C. actually sounded new to me; as well as Odayo and Indigo Sweep. While the rest were instant crowd-drawers, specifically the math rock band whose then-about to launch their album in three years of existence. 

Yes, Tom’s Story literally rocked the house down. Who am I not to remember that after seeing almost all spaces of the indoor Route being occupied? Damn good!

The night turned out so well for the debuting production firm as they had 300 paying customers and collated a total of Php 83,000 on donation, enough to cover the needed expenditures on Ariana’s way to recovery. 

To read more about the Racc!oon Productions, check out the article by Radio Republic. Also the ways to donate will be also seen there.

Indigo Sweep 

M.I.C.

Tom's Story 

Odayo

Lions and Acrobats 

Ang Bandang Shirley 

Flying Ipis 

Jensen and The Flips

Author: slickmaster | (c) 2016 september twenty-eight productions

The Scene Around: Revolution Baby Productions EP Night

1/10/2016 1:08:08 PM

I was supposed to hit by a gig last Friday night only to end up sleeping at the sick bay due to almost-a-week long colds. All that despite having invited by two Facebook friends at the indie scene.

This past Saturday, though not totally feeling well, still swing by Route 196 for an EP launch and at the same time, my first gig for 2016. And it’s called Revolution Baby EP night.

Five bands performed during the evening: The Espasouls, PAUL, Banna Harbera, Nick’s Son and The Anton Molina Project. Apart from Banna, it was actually the first time I heard these bands live. And more than I thought, The Espasouls (or are they previously named as Sammy and Friends?) was another band by Sammy Valenia, the entertaining back-up vocalist and guitarist from Jensen and the Flips. He also filled in Gelo Acosta’s shoes for SUD since the latter’s departure for studies at London.

Speaking of which, it was also the guy’s last gig before departing Manila once again. Ironically, the first time I heard him on his band.

At the end of the night, I got an EP which I have yet to listen as of writing time. Kinda interesting while I bow my head to my good friend Patrick Felipe. He’s the busiest guy of the night; playing for three bands on one evening (and luckily, on one venue)! Now talk about lagare!

Author: slickmaster | © 2016 september twenty-eight productions

Upcoming: RACC!OON: A Charity Gig For Kythe Foundation

1/20/2016 7:14:45 PM

Q: Anong hayop ang mahilig sa concert?
A: Racoon!

Okay. Jokes aside, we’re now up for a fun time with a serious cause.

What am I taking about? 

Barely four months after the successful charity gig, another one will be up in a few days time and it’s called RACC!OON.

Poster from Racc/oon Productions

Organized by Mika Ordoñez, Dan Baldonado, Mark Agbayani, Nicky Aureo, Bill Dela Torre, and Gerard del Mundo, RACC/OON is the first event made by Racc/oon Productions, an indie music outfit which sets events aiming for musical pleasure and at the same time, lending a hand on the needy by raising funds for Kythe Foundation, Inc. Thus, the proceeds coming from this event will be used for the medical expenses of a four-year old patient named Ariana Soriano.

Eight musicians will be performing, including notable acts Flying Ipis, Jensen and the Flips, Lions and Acrobats and Ang Bandang Shirley. Also, math-rock trio Tom’s Story, as well as Indigo Sweep, Odayo and M.I.C. are the must-see performers for the evening.

RACC!OON will be held on Friday, 22 January 2016, 9PM at Route 196 in Katipunan Ave. Extension, Blue Ridge A, Quezon City.

Entrance for early birds in this event will be Php200, while Php250 if you come by past 9PM.

Donations are accepted at before, during the gig itself, and after, You can also donate using your credit card via http://ushare.kythe.org and select “RACC!OON: A Charity Gig for Kythe Foundation.”

This event is also made possible by IndieManila, BANDWAGON, and Radio Republic. 

Visit the event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/1535025816810693/; and like Racc/oon Productions Faceook page at https://www.facebook.com/racoonproduction/.

Author: slickmaster | (c) 2016 september twenty-eight productions

The Scene Around: DOCDEFY III

1/10/2016 8:26:54 PM

Docdef Productions celebrated their 3rd anniversary with a gig that is quite a fitting one to cap 2015. Most of the best and up-and-coming musicians performed at Docdefy III happened 29 December 2015 at Route 196 in Quezon City.

Alasmedya kicked off the party; while others in the ten-band lineup followed suit. Namely, Austin, Banna Harbera, SUD, Jensen and the Flips, Autotelic, MilesExperience and Maya’s Anklet. And UBE was the last band to cap Docdefy III, while also claiming that it will also be their last outing before they go on hiatus.

With that being said, it was a heck-of-a-year for the Jack Daniel’s Prod of the Year awardee. Since its inception on December 2012, Docdef Productions produced more than 100 gigs in total; with this year includes a variety of happenings such as the following:

• EDGES (18 February, Route 196 with Fringe MNL)
• Farewell Fair Weather’s anniversary and home-returning gig (29 January and 18 June, respectively at Route 196) 
• Days 1-4 of the Satchmi Record Store Week (13-16 April, SM Megamall)
• Magnify (23 May, UP Town Center)
• #FeteIndie2015 (20 June, 12 Monkeys Music Hall and Pub with Vandals on the Wall and NDFY.ME)
• Light Settling (18 August, Route 196 with UP Underground Music Society; previous title: When The Light Settles)
• Tagaytay Art Beat (19 September, Museo Orlina)
• In D’ Flow (28 November, Flow House Manila)

So here’s to more good music and happenings, Docdef Productions!

Author: slickmaster | © 2016 september twenty-eight productions

The Scene Around: Oh, Flamingo! EP Launch

1/10/2016 3:08:31 PM

Perhaps one of the bands who emerged the most this 2015, Oh Flamingo arrived in the nick of time to release their EP last 14 November 2015 at the full-house Route 196 in Quezon City. Yes, just days after they released their new single Two Feet on Jam 88.3 and two weeks before winning the Wanderband contest; thus, being the top Philipine band to perform at the Wanderland festival this coming year!

Yes, it was full house that it made the venue looked like an instant concert venue with an elevated stage as part of the set-up; and a birthday party as its main theme. Yes, with some games and magic segments as part of the program in front of around 300 people.

Joop, Ang Bandang Shirley, Ourselves the Elves, Cheats, and Sandwich also joined the craze during the evening.

Things get even rocking during Sandwich set where vocalist Raiumund Marasigan did a crowd surf to end it all with Procastinator.

Another memorable night in the books for 2015, and another band to notice at the music scene!

Author: slickmaster | © 2016 september twenty-eight productions

The Scene Around: Stripped X Docdef

12/23/2015 6:12:04 PM

Tuesday evening, I swung by Route 196 only to realized I was two hours earlier and they were still closed—and was on the process of unveiling their new signage. Few minutes came by and it was voila! Welcome to Route 196 indeed with a new logo and a help from Jack Daniels’ Philippines. 

First evening using that beautiful signage says STRIPPED x DOCDEF. And five musicians were slated to perform on that evening: Neala Medina, Graceson, Covert, Cara Decenteceo, and John Ray Reodique of Alasmedya. Also, Jai and Inky de Dios played in the bonus.

Ironically, it was the eve where Docdef Productions had their very first gig. Well, that’s if my research serves me right.

It was a total feel-good Tuesday night for Stripped, as performers go on stage doing selected original songs as well as performing their solo covers. And since it’s December, each performers did a cover of their preferred Christmas song.

It’s like baring the other side of a musician, as Ene Lagunzad once told yours truly. Knowing them and their craft up close. Though way back then, it was a bit different set-up where the performers were mostly band vocalists alone.

But during the revival of Stripped a few years ago, Route 196 has been partnering with various production firms in the independent music industry to establish the event every first Wednesday of the month. Also, Route 196 produces other original events called Play Tuesdays and Chooseday Tuesdays. 

Indeed, setting a standard where indeed the music lives here!

And since everyone needs to have that stripped-down vibe of music, here's JR with his rendition of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.

JR (Alasmedya) - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas[excerpt] JR of Alasmedya performing a Christmas song at Stripped x Docdef Productions two weeks ago at Route 196 Bar.
Posted by Slick Master on Monday, December 21, 2015

Author: slickmaster | ©2015 september twenty-eight produictions