Weeknights to Remember: SlickMaster’s Memorable Gigs of 2015 (Part 3)

12/31/2015 3:00:36 PM

The post was supposed to be named "Fridays and Saturday Nights to Remember" only to realized a few things: first, gigs are happening every single weeknight; second, most of them aren’t even planned by yours truly to attend; and third, I have been to almost 70 gigs for 2015.

2015 has been a heck of a good year for me as I discovered Philippine music anew -- and it broods at the place where minority of people knows -- the independent scene. Over the course of time, I attended about 50 events starting from a random night out that happened 24 January 2015 at Route 196. I was then supposed to watch my college friend whose already a musician.

And since then, the Philippine independent music scene became another world conquered by yours truly. I became part of a production group; I was posting anything about gigs for most of the time; and indie music also served as a venue for me to grow as opportunities came from out of nowhere -- be it writing or anything else like photography and videography.

Fast-forward to the year-end, despite attending the last one or two music events of this year from small-time gigs to the big or concert-level ones, I can say I had a lot of memorable evenings.

EDGES (21 February 2015 / Route 196 / Docdef Productions, FRINGE MNL)

Music and arts converged at the time of celebrating another holiday known as the Chinese New Year as photograph exhibitions were slated at Route 196’s Jack Room. Plus selected art pieces were also for sale, and live digital art was made during the sets of Tom’s Story and Autotelic. Truly a night to remember from a collaborative effort from Docdef Productions and FRINGE MNL.

Coeli San Luis

Elements Jam Night (4 May 2015 / Route 196 / Elements)

Two members of Alasmedya invited me to attend the jam night of the country’s leading songwriting camp. Explored the likes of The Benjamins, Coeli San Luis and Mic Llave right there. It might be an almost-stripped-down vibe Monday, but we all need this sometimes. Where you hear musicians jammed the night away with their peers. Thus saying, OPM is really alive in the process -- as artists showed their camaraderie to each other in terms of craft-making and having fun.

Mind Money Circuit

A Not-So-Silent Night: Mind Money Circuit EP Launch (19 December 2015 / Mow’s Bar / Docdef Productions)

Second time I have encountered this band. Perhaps that’s courtesy of Gab Palanca, whom once I crossed paths at SaGuijo, Route 196, and even SM City Marikina. And their EP launch proved they can offer more, and Math Rock is a genre rarely people would know.

Fools and Foes

Underneath The Roots: Fools and Foes EP Launch (4 December 2015 / SaGuijo / Docdef Productions, Revolver, The Rest is Noise)

I admit: I only knew two three songs right before their EP launch. Turns out they got five. And what makes it an evening to remember for me is that I was one of the people who manned their EP sales during the evening. Yes, I did so after attending iBlog11 up north and right before attending its second day. Totally busy, right? 

John Ray Reodique of Alasmedya

Stripped (2 December 2015 / Route 196 / Route 196, Docdef Productions)

The first time I hit an all feel-good vibe gig at Route 196, with no hosts around, just organizers, musicians, and friends around. Stripped showcased the “other side” of each performer where they performed some of their band hits, personally-made covers, originals, or even seasonal tracks.

And since it happened on Christmas month, it’s quite obivous: each musician performed Christmas song. Now that’s a chillax way to greet everyone a “Merry Christmas!”

Kai Honasan w/ Josh Villena

Coffee Barn Session 2 (10 October 2015 / Coffee Barn / Gabi Na Naman Productions)

The first Coffee Barn Session happened on July was very successful. So, why not have a second coming, right? With popular guys like Kai Honasan, Aia De Leon, and Glaiza Castro headlining the all-acoustic night while you sip a coffee or bear on a full-house Coffee Barn at South Triangle, it was another notable Saturday night for your truly.

PART 2 | PART 4

Author: slickmaster | ©2015, 2016 september twenty-eight productions

Inside the Pages: Stupid is Forevermore

12/31/2015 9:30:09 AM

Photo credits: Rappler

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago is back with more thoughts on her mind. And I mean literally because it seemed her first book in recent years Stupid is Forever wasn’t quite enough in her fanbase.

It seems the lady from Iloilo was quite effective to influence a least a sector of this society, right?

The second book called Stupid is ForeverMORE appeared like not just a sequel but also using a pop culture reference -- first, the popular teleserye Forevermore and the never-ending heated discussion about the existence of “forever.”

Well, this book may have almost the same number of several humorous epigrams but more speeches. Now that’s a MORE good thing. Aside from publishing pick-up conversations and one-liners, we need to see what’s inside the mind of the senator; considering her political plans should she won the seat of presidency at the national elections next year.

So if you can’t get enough of her wits and seriousness, this book is definitely a must-read for you.

Author: slickmaster | © 2015 september twenty-eight productions

Yay or Nay? 2015's Trends and Shockers (Part 2)

1/28/2016 7:37:46 PM

It’s been a roller-coaster ride (as always) as long as the Earth revolves in a 365-day stretch. From January 1 to December 31, we here in the Philippines have seen a lot of a sudden turn of events which leads us into various perspectives as we see it.

With that being said, here are some of the top news which may or may have been shocked us, trended more in our consciousness list, and moreover left an impact on out intellectual side of life.

DOTC secreatry Abaya once said “traffic is not fatal” and also, MRT is safe.

Well, in the society where everyone can be really matiisin at times, yeah right. But are sticking ourselves to that kind of mud? This ain’t dark ages, people. This issue can be really depressing. And though MRT mishaps aren’t comparable to match the disastrous railways systems in India, I think the former has really caught up on his period, plus the maintenance contracts were such an unfortunate business to deal with. Ouch.

Nay.

Well, traffic is not fatal? I mean, really? Perhaps he’s talking about it as a whole; but what about the protest by the popular religious sect here in the country? There are reports that it claimed one life after being stuck on traffic -- an in the middle of supposedly emergency.

I think either you have to be careful on speaking with the press or hire some speech proofreaders.

Finally, he ran. The hope for this country to rise above corruption (sorry, WWE and John Cena) is back!

The question: really?

I’m afraid that Duterte’s name is at stake because of his bunch of naggers supporters here and abroad. I get it, I liked him as a political personality. But maybe -- on the deeper side of life -- he’s had enough of being tagged to the presidential race that he decided to be in contrast to his previous statements of declining.

As much as I admire him, its a nay for me. P.S. Anyone who dares to threat people who stands against his decision to run should meet his untimely death soon. Fuck you, guys.

The word war between Mar Roxas and Rodrigo Duterte. Yes, and I called it word war because both of these 2016 presidential candidates are just keep on talking about each other. 

I might get it that this can be another marketing startegy from the Davao City mayor himself whose been continuously nagged by his supporters to run for the country.

But will the two of you grow the fuck up?

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

Seven Hours

1/22/2016 7:48:03 PM

What can you do in seven hours?

A very personal question that might be easily sounding to answer, but it actually wasn’t. 

Imagine doing household chores for example? Unless you were trained to do so, I think seven hours will be very complete thing to clean your house.

Seven hours. What can you do in seven hours? Or 420 minutes; near one-third of a day; or let’s just simply say 25,200 seconds?

Unless you were born a lazy bastard, you might accomplish nothing. Imagine seven hours of doing nothing. I mean, literally. Either you might be happy on that kind of set-up or you will lose your sanity the same way you lost your virginity during puberty stage. Heck, that could even produce a hundred rounds of a combat sport event; and even an uncountable rounds of sex.

Seven freaking hours. Perhaps you might have written a part of a novel right there; or at least ran a half-season marathon of The Walking Dead, or watched two WWE pay-per-views or three NBA regular-season games. Or maybe, listened to at least 144 songs (assuming each runs for at least 3.5 minutes) and three and a half 90-minute podcast -- I wish your ears weren’t bleeding as fuck though especially if you’re wearing your favorite headset.

Seven hours. What on earth can you do for seven hours? 

Make your mother proud?

Wage an advocacy?

Or maybe...

Is it enough to know someone else? Is it quite ample to engage yourself into at least a friendly conversation -- or better yet, romantically?

As they say, some things happened so good that whatever time they had in store seems to come up short. Admit it, folks. There were circumstances where you already had a good time only to realized the show already reached its culminating part.. And too bad, it doesn’t matter if you want more.

But maybe that could start a spark, you know what I’m saying? Like... A continuation.

You’re lucky if your date reached seven hours. That simply means either two things: traffic in Manila sucks big time that it paved you to do something worthy, or to sum it up: you’re not a boring person at all. As if you wanted to talk to that lady or gentleman for more. You like to interact with her more often.

Yes, it could be a spark like an old High School Musical track -- start of something new. While you can also argue it could spell doom to several agendas in life, I can only retaliate by uttering a question: Why would you spend seven hours on being a badass and destroying a lot of matters? You can do that on a shorter span of time.

What can you do on seven hours? 

Maybe, if you believe on that most-argued concept, that would make a start of your “forever.”

And maybe, that might be enough to fuel somebody’s spirit. Not necessarily to change a life in an instant.

It could make you fall for something that is worth falling for.

Moreover, it could make a person love somebody. If you know what I mean. :)

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

Flick Review: Lakbay2Love

1/30/2016 5:40:04 PM

Of all the stories of the romance-driven (at at times, oligarchs) movie industry, Lakbay2Love tells a formula involving stories about searching for answers on self, romance, and for the changing times in our environment. Raising bars on consolidating multiple subplots and conflicts in the process.

Despite the stocks formed in between, the picture had a very light approach, with multiple breath-taking scenery serving as their backdrops, and a very interesting storlyline.

Lianne is a videographer whose dilemmas in the past, especially on her romance affair, has yet to be resolved with mounting paychecks also haunting her daily life. A new project made her fall in love with another world -- biking; but her trail never stops as she, along with Jay-R, explored other sides of the world; from the harsh, dying reality of our environment, to the fun times of using bicycles and even getting back.

Somehow, the cinematography become a primary factor on how Lakbay2Love find found its balance. I mean let's face it: the aesthetic appeal set the flick's tone for most of the time; plus the soundtrack complimented them all, with Kai Honasan's Liwanag serving a fitting pace. Plus, Solenn's Kilig and a cover of The Eraserhead's Overdrive joining the mix -- and even became the background music of its trailer.

Though most people would think the love story became a standout, I still don’t think the advocacy was far left behind. It stood alongside the triangular affair which shied away from the typical resolution; considering where love triangle stories usually conclude.

Besides, the issue of biking and climate change was so evident despite its absence in the news circulation. This film exhibited awareness about the said topics; something that was rarely seen. 

Not totally perfect, but definitely a worth the watch, especially if you’re into biking; and looking for solutions to the never-ending traffic and even pollution cases.

Verdict: 7.2

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

Yay or Nay? 2015's Trends and Shockers (Part 1)

1/28/2016 7:37:46 PM

It’s been a roller-coaster ride (as always) as long as the Earth revolves in a 365-day stretch. From January 1 to December 31, we here in the Philippines have seen a lot of a sudden turn of events which leads us into various perspectives as we see it.

With that being said, here are some of the top news which may or may have been shocked us, trended more in our consciousness list, and moreover left an impact on out intellectual side of life.

Papal Visit. After months of being the talk of the town, this is it. Pope Francis gave Filipinos a visit for the first time since the late Pope John Paul II in the World Youth Day of 1995. It was memorable due to his visit at the Haiyan-strucked (local: Yolanda) Leyte. On top of that, several candid moments with the Catholic’s top leader were also became hot topics.

Yay. 

The massacre in Mamasapano where 44 members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) group were killed in a series of ambush attacks at the town in Maguindanao. Additional insult to injury where the absence of its commander-in-chief during one key moment of their necrological services.

Nay. Who wants to hear bad news about a police or soldier whose life was spared as part of their “call of duty” -- that is to serve and protect each and every constituent. As for this case, peace and order while the Bangsamoro Basic Law was still a debate to deal with?

And another nay for being missing in action. And will you please choose your words carefully? That ain’t pretty.

Terrorism attacks on Paris.

Nay. Because unless if you’re sadistic bitch, no one wants to be part of casualty of another man-made catastrophe. 

But would it be nice if we acknowledge and condemn the other terrorist attacks around the globe? It doesn’t happen on Paris alone. And the problem is media was being selective on recognition. It’s discrimination at the same time. So that’s another yay and nay because FUCK THE MEDIA!

AlDub phenomenon. It all started on an experiment that clicked not just for the Philippine masses watching Eat Bulaga, but also from its viewers abroad. Their episodes seemed a bit different from those teleseryes and each one of them made it on the trending lists of Twitter both nationwide and worldwide.

Yay for the content, but nay for being over-rated.

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

The Scene Around: Silakbo MV Launch

1/17/2016 1:14:10 PM

There are so many gigs during Saturday, 16 January 2015. You have the rescheduled Rakrakan Festival at Circuit Makati, Terno Inferno at the famous SaGuijo, and a cover night that served as a prelude for an upcoming concert by the trio of Bullet Dumas, Ebe Dancel, and Johnoy Danao.

And also, there’s a music video launch for the upriser called MilesExperience, and it was held at Mow’s bar in Quezon City.

The show started quite on time with Maude being the first act. Then, December Avenue also came to join the party, instant fire-hazard place in the process. Well, if we're talking about the crowd and the atmosphere inside.

Things got even rowdy wild as fuck when popular names also hit the stage to perform: Tanya Markova, Autotelic, Ourselves the Elves, and Jensen and the Flips. It was actually the first time I watched Tanya Markova live, though it was kinda short-lived since they will also be performing for Rakrakan Festival later that evening. But hey, the moment was worth it after years of hearing the likes of Picture Picture, Disney and Linda Blair on the airwaves. 

Plus, they are back with an album and two music videos directed by Jiggy Gregorio.

Then, came another highlight moment of the game: the music video itself, which depicted the UST-laden band into some sorts of outburst and extremities. Perhaps, you better check their music video on video channels like MYX very soon!

I can’t prejudge the other happenings, but if we're talking about indie scene here, I can tell that Silakbo topped the evening either. It’s not just about having heavyweight shits on the night’s roster of musicians; but witnessing the ocean of people inside and outside Kowloon House’s underground bar gave me one thing in mind: that’s the support for the music. Imagine having 350-450 people in attendance. Guido (their keyboardist) even told me all the 400 printed tickets they have during the gathering was totally sold out. Tim (their drummer) noted it exceeded the bar guarantees way more than expected (I suspected that’s somewhere between 300-400%).

While the air conditioning unit was a downisde (taking photos on a low light can be another, but that’s what makes Mow’s bar an intimate place on live music), it can never outnumbered a lot of good stuff that happened during the night.

With that being said, congratulations to MilesExperience for a very successful event. Hope the success will paved an even longer way for you guys in the independent music scene.

Also, shoutouts to the creative director of 9Roots and the man behind Love Supreme and Sikalbo music videos Mr. Jiggy Gregorio. Nice meeting you during the evening.

(Photos from Mr. Boco Jones)

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