The Itchyworms release second installment of holiday-themed album, Christmas Starts When The Bers Begin

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The continuously expanding record contains two new tracks “Halo-Halo and “Meri Xmas 2 U”

The Itchyworms continue to celebrate their 25th anniversary with the second installment of their holiday-themed album, Christmas Starts When The Bers Begin—out today, December 8, 2021 (Wednesday) on all digital music platforms via Sony Music Philippines

Capturing the spirit of Pinoy Christmas with songs that will surely make its way into classic status, Christmas Starts When The Bers Begin contains two new tracks, “Halo-Halo” and “Meri Xmas 2 U,” and last year’s “Have A Merry Christmas” and “Maligayang Pasko.” 

Written and produced by drummer and lead vocalist Jazz Nicolas, “Halo-Halo” is a festive reinforcement of the classic tradition with characteristically Pinoy sensibilities. It’s an upbeat tune that celebrates the Yuletide season in a way that feels home.

According to Jazz, “Halo-Halo” is a metaphorical reference to the various beliefs and traditions of Filipinos about Christmas. “There are people who believe in God, there are people who just shop, and there are people who consider it as a perfect time for receiving gifts. It all happens during Christmas, and it’s a magical feeling for everyone.”

Another new offering, “Meri Xmas 2 U” is a fun and sparkly reimagining of the Pinoy Christmas carols in one rocking shimmy treat. Complete with kundiman-charged guitars, raw percussions and tambourine sounds, and infectious vocal harmonies, the track pays tribute to the street caroling traditions in the country during the pre-pandemic times. 

“This is an ode to the kids who knock on doors to sing Christmas songs,” lead vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Jugs Jugueta shares. “They rarely have real instruments with them, but sometimes when they’re lucky, they bring acoustic guitars or makeshift tools. They use cans with stretched plastic on top for the ‘drums’ and flattened tansan as tambourines. While they don’t sing in perfect tune, the happy Christmas vibe that they bring is what gets you and tugs your heartstrings.”

“Meri Xmas 2 U” is written by Jugs Jugueta, and performed by the alt-rock band with their families and friends who sang and played makeshift instruments: Jug’s wife Andie, Chino’s brother Echo, Jazz’s brother Peavey and his fiancé Antonette, and their road manager Gabs.

The 2021 AWIT Awards Winner for Best Musical Arrangement also plans to add more songs every year to complete the Yuletide-themed album. This well-curated process gives them the opportunity to create music at their own pace while giving casual listeners something to uplift their spirits before the year ends.

As Jugs put it, “It is an ever-growing Christmas album. We released two Christmas songs last year, then we added two more this year, and we plan on releasing more Christmas songs every year! And every time we add songs, we also add elements to the album cover. It’s now streaming on Spotify and other digital platforms, but once we have enough Christmas songs, we hope to release it as a physical album on vinyl.”

Christmas Starts When The Bers Begin is part of the band’s celebration of their 25th year in the Philippine music industry, which follows the release of their original track “Eto Na (Ang Maliligayang Araw)” and the six-part series, Worms Upon A Time: An Itchyworms Podcast. 

The year-long musical treat commenced with the vinyl pressing of their album, Waiting For The End To Start, which immediately sold out upon its release, the launch of “The Life I Know,” the first of its kind in the Philippine stop-motion animation music video, and the release of “Waiting For The End To Start” music video, which serves as an artistic take on the ‘dystopian future post-pandemic’ life in the Philippines.

The Itchyworms are also set to drop a mockumentary that chronicles their 25 years in the music industry at the end of the year.

“Halo-Halo” and “Meri Xmas 2 U” are out now on all digital music platforms via Sony Music Philippines. Listen to the partial batch of ‘Christmas Starts When The Bers Begin’ here.

Sony Music taps Backspacer Records as the official distributor of Adele’s best-selling LP, ‘30’

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Filipinos in the throes of a pandemic don’t need to wait in vain as the vinyl format of Adele’s fourth studio album, 30 has now made its way to the Philippines.

Sony Music confirms that Backspacer Records, an independent record store based in Metro Manila, is the official distributing partner of Adele’s chart-topping LP, 30.

The indie record shop, which gained popularity for housing limited edition and exclusive OPM releases, as well as rare and wide-ranging international titles, will be selling an exclusive Japan pressing of the beloved album in standard black vinyl.

Backspacer Records co-founder Robert Tuazon takes great pride in carrying the British singer-songwriter’s landmark LP, which not only broke records in terms of digital sales and streaming all over the world but also smashed physical sales performance for both CDs and vinyl this year.

“We’re grateful to Sony Music for entrusting us with this special project,” said Tuazon. “Tasha and I are excited to open our doors to music fans who have been wanting to get a copy of this remarkable pop release.”

Adele’s 30 contains two 180-gram LPs with printed inner sleeves and a standard jacket. On hand copies of the vinyl can now be purchased via Backspacer Records’ official website and its physical store located at the 2nd Floor of D’ Ace Plaza in Kapitolyo, Pasig City, Metro Manila.

The global superstar’s acclaimed record is also available through Backspacer Records’ retail partners: Plaka Planet in Makati City, Stereofiles in Quezon City, and Baihaus in Cebu City.

Ben&Ben push the mental health discussion forward with “Lunod” music video

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The MV is accompanied by an EP release featuring multiple versions of the track, and an exclusive launch of Lunod-themed café

It doesn’t always have to be sink or swim when it comes to mental health.

Ben&Ben chronicle the experience of drowning in torrential distress and anxiety on the music video of their new single “Lunod.” Directed by award-winning filmmaker Jerrold Tarog (Heneral Luna, Sana Dati), the visual narrative pushes the discussion forward with its metaphorical depiction of individuals trying to keep their head above water and find their way out of a dark, harrowing tunnel.

“The music video is a deeply introspective and symbolic interpretation of the song, which is all tied in together from the concept and writing, down to the location,” lead vocalist, guitarist and Lunod chief songwriter Paolo Benjamin explains. “In the video, the song is narrated as the band, with Zild and juan karlos, move deeper and deeper into the tunnel slowly—losing breath, then in the latter half taking powerful strides to move out of it. This signals a ‘rebirth’ into a new, more mature version of the self.”

The cinematic visuals were shot at the El Deposito water reservoir, an underground location known for its historical significance to the events that lead to the Philippine Revolution, Philippine-American War, and World War II.

“Lunod” serves as the band’s reunion project with Jerrold Tarog, who helmed the music video for their 2018 track “Susi,” off the historical epic drama, Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral. “We love collaborating with visionaries in their fields, and so it was a dream working with him,” the acclaimed folk-pop group reveals.

Ahead of the music video release, the nine-piece collective dropped a live acoustic performance of “Lunod” last month. The version, which features collaborators Zild and juan karlos, strips down the bluesy, classic rock arrangements of the original for a more subdued take. The intimate interpretation of the song is part of an exclusive EP release featuring multiple iterations of “Lunod” in various formats, including an extended version of the track.

“The multiple versions for ‘Lunod’ were intended to bring a full listening experience to our listeners; for them to hear what more could be brought out of the song,” Ben&Ben shares in a statement. “We decided to release for streaming the acoustic jam of ‘Lunod,’ the extended version in the music video.”

Aside from the EP, ‘Lunod’ received a remix treatment from hip-hop artist Zelijah, who channeled his struggles with mental health on the production level, and even added a rap verse to convey the mental strains that he went through during the pandemic, and after being diagnosed as bipolar. The “Bipolar remix” of the track gives Zelijah the opportunity to put his own character into the song, and reinterpret it with ethereal sonic elements that blend trap, hip-hop, modern electronica, and rock music genres.

Apart from the ‘Lunod’ EP, Ben&Ben and its label, Sony Music Philippines, recently opened a Lunod-themed café at Latitude Bean+Bar in Malate, Manila as part of Ben&Ben’s Kuwaderno Pop-Up Café activities, which run from November 25-27. The pop-up café includes a Lunod art installation inspired by Zelijah’s Bipolar Remix, as well as other art activities related to mental health.

The Kuwaderno Pop-Up Café features several exclusive activities for Liwanag and ordinary folks to immerse themselves into Ben&Ben’s critically acclaimed album and upcoming digital concert. The two other exclusive pop-ups are located at Jess + Pat’s in Maginhawa, QC, and Kale Café in Fairview, QC.

Music fans can also purchase tickets to Kuwaderno: A Ben&Ben Online Concert directly at the three pop-up locations in Metro Manila. Set to redefine the concert-going experience with the biggest headline concert of their career, Ben&Ben’s upcoming digital concert will be integrating live music performance with multiple creative disciplines such as theatre, dance, orchestra, and technology to create an audio-visual spectacle like no other.

Ben&Ben’s “Lunod,” featuring Zild and juan karlos, is out now on all streaming platforms worldwide via Sony Music Philippines. Watch the music video here.

“Lunod” collaborators Zild and juan karlos are also set to join Ben&Ben on Kuwaderno: A Ben&Ben Online Concert, happening on December 05, 2021 (Sun) from 8pm to 11pm. Get your tickets here.

Sony Music Philippines expands word-class repertoire with hip-hop artists HBOM, REN, and Michael Bars

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Sony Music Philippines remains committed in strengthening its world-class repertoire with the addition of iconic and prolific hip-hop artists HBOM, REN, and Michael Bars.

In its bid to shine a spotlight on the genre’s movers and shakers, the record label promises to introduce these new music discoveries to the streaming generation through its sustainable promotional, marketing, and artist development efforts.

The new roster is led by celebrated hip-hop veteran HBOM, who has made a remarkable contribution to the industry as an artist, entrepreneur, songwriter/composer, and music visionary. With over 8 million streams across all music platforms worldwide and four acclaimed albums under his belt, HBOM is responsible for leading his own music movement with protégés in the scene, including Filipino-American rap superstar EZ Mil and South African-based artist Michael Bars.

“I’ve been in the hip-hop scene for over 20 years, and I’ve withstood the times when no one liked hip-hop,” the respected multi-hyphenate shares in a statement. “What makes my music standout is the distinct voice that I have. When everyone hears it, they already know its me.”

HBOM’s new single “Witness,” which will be released on November 10, is a chill-hop jam about minding one’s own business, and settling down on what truly matters in life like family and adult priorities. The music video accompanying the track is co-directed by HBOM himself and frequent collaborator, TNES.

Another globally renowned artist in the roster is 19-year-old Michael Bars, who recently worked with Filipino hip-hop artist Michael Pacquiao on the viral banger “Pac-Man.” As an award-winning wordsmith known for making socially conscious music that transcends cultural barriers, Michael Bars has proven himself as a highly skillful rapper and producer with more than 8.7 million streams across all combined digital platforms worldwide.

“My main goal is to build a bigger name in the music industry and to spread my message as an artist,” says the South Africa-based hip-hop newcomer. “I use rap music as my weapon to talk about my life and I don’t cuss in them because it’s easier for children to rap along to the lyrics.”

His new single “Never Stop,” which recently dropped on November 3, is a massive jab of an anthem about picking one’s self up and never backing down in a fight. The song was inspired by his personal experience dealing with bullies in his high school years. Featuring 10-year-old R&B singer Sky, the track captures a visceral but powerful performance between the two artists.

Rounding up the urban roster is Filipino rap artist REN, formerly known as Balasubas. As a talented rapper that stands out with his unique style and confidence, the Dongalo Wreckords member has amassed over 5 million views on YouTube alone in less than two years.

“I’m grateful to the label for giving me the opportunity to inspire more people,” the young rapper expresses his gratitude on being part of the label’s esteemed pool of artists. “I want to use my gift in telling stories that uplift the lives of my community and promote positivity.”

REN has recently released his first official single “In Throw” under Sony Music Philippines. Delivering incisive but melodic flow against a confrontational beat, the track deals with surviving life challenges through hard work and determination. REN adds, “behind this music was a story; a story of a person who is doing his best to continue in spite of rejection and judgment.” The music video is helmed by Aleksei Hipolito, a frequent collaborator of the rap thespian.

The launch of HBOM, REN, and Michael Bars is part of the strategic vision of Sony Music Philippines to promote the vibrant hip-hop music scene in the Philippines, and diversify their catalog in the streaming, mobile, and social-driven platforms all around the world.

Listen to their tracks:

REN – “In Throw”

Michael Bars – “Never Stop”

HBOM – “Witness” (pre-save link)

Filipino-Norwegian singer-songwriter Clinton Kane tops Philippine streaming and radio charts with “I Guess I’m In Love”

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Following his viral success on TikTok and other online music platforms, Clinton Kane is taking the country by storm with the release of his stripped-down pop ballad “I GUESS I’M IN LOVE,” under Columbia Records and Sony Music.

Detailing the winding journey and range of feelings that come with finally finding true love, the emotional single is currently at No. 4 on Spotify Philippines charts, and has amassed nearly 23 million streams since its release last August 20, 2021. The track is currently a mainstay on various local radio charts, ranking within the top 20 of Manila-based mainstream radio stations, RX 93. 1 and 99.5 Play FM.

Over at TikTok, The Filipino-Norwegian star’s chart-topping track has been covered by Filipino artists, including SB19’s Pablo, whose stellar rendition garnered close to 200k views in less than an hour.

Overseas, the Australia-based artist has also debuted at the US Billboard Hot 100 at No. 90, and continues to climb on several official music charts all around the world, including his home country Australia (ARIA, No. 27), Canada (Canadian Hot 100, No. 50), UK (UK Singles Chart, No. 23), New Zealand (RMNZ, No. 27), and more.

“I GUESS I’M IN LOVE” has been building fan fever since Clinton Kane began teasing the track on his social media. With the song racking up pre-saves and over 40k fan-made TikTok videos using the sound, Clinton has finally shared the love song of 2021 that listeners everywhere have been waiting for. Continuing to connect with each release, “I GUESS I’M IN LOVE” follows his February breakthrough hit “CHICKEN TENDIES,” which has accumulated over 90M streams worldwide.

Follow Clinton Kane:

Website | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Clinton Kane’s “I GUESS I’M IN LOVE” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Columbia Records and Sony Music.

 

Ben&Ben surpass expectations on sophomore album, Pebble House Vol. 1: Kuwaderno

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Multi-platinum certified and critically acclaimed Filipino band Ben&Ben have finally released their highly anticipated sophomore album, Pebble House, Vol. 1: Kuwaderno via Sony Music.

Expanding their sound with rewarding experiments and thematically bolder songwriting, the 13-track album marks an important chapter in Ben&Ben’s history as it captures the songs, stories, messages, experiences, learnings, and insights that accompanied them through their self-reflecting but fulfilling journey.

“Each song, much like an entry in one's personal journal, encapsulates something uniquely special to represent something in a certain point in time,” the nine-piece collective shares in a statement. “We felt it would be important for our second album to be a work that brings us closer to our listeners and introduces them more to the wide spectrum of what we are capable of and of who we are as people.”

Pebble House, Vol. 1: Kuwaderno surpasses expectations in terms of musicality and production, giving way to an exquisite piece of pop songcraft that feels more like a natural progression from their equally compelling debut album, Limasawa Street rather than a retread of the comfortably familiar. Since working on Kuwaderno, Ben&Ben have been more open to collaborations that venture beyond the confines of their early work.

On their second album, they have teamed up with the biggest names in the Philippine music industry on six of the songs, including “Swimming Pool” (Feat. Chito Miranda of Parokya Ni Edgar), “Pasalubong” (Feat. Moira Dela Torre), “Lunod” (Feat. Zild and juan karlos), “Sabel” (Feat. KZ Tandingan), “Kapangyarihan” (Feat. SB19), and “Sugat” (Feat. Munimuni).

“We've always wanted to collaborate with these artists, but we were also always a bit too shy to ask,” says lead vocalist and guitarist Paolo Benjamin. “When working on the second album however, our songs and the arrangements gave us confidence to reach out in hopes that these collaborators would likewise believe in our music enough to work with us. Thankfully, they did, and we are immensely grateful for their generosity in sharing their hard work and talent with us.”

Pre-production for the album began in the latter part of April 2021 when Ben&Ben recorded their first two songs “Upuan” and “Magpahinga.” The former will have a music video featuring He’s Into Her stars Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano to be released on August 29, 6pm (Sunday) via Ben&Ben’s official YouTube channel. Directed by Niq Ablao, the visuals take us into a simple yet timeless story about prom, and the jitters that come with finding the courage to ask someone out.

The production phase continued with Ben&Ben recording with some of their artist collaborators towards the end of May, and wrapped up with other songs in the album in mid-June. These tracks include “Kuwaderno,” which sets the mood and tone of the record; “Kasayaw,” a metaphor that alludes to the difficult question of whether two people are in the same groove or not; “Elyu,” a classic sounding song about wanting to free oneself from something; Ilang Tulog Na lang,” a paean to long distance relationships; and “Kayumanggi,” an anthem that embraces the beauty and richness of Filipino identity.

Pebble House, Vol. 1: Kuwaderno is written, arranged, and produced by Ben&Ben, with Jean Paul Verona and Sam Marquez (One Click Straight) involved in co-producing, mixing, and co-engineering duties. Grammy Award-winning mastering engineer Leon Zervos, who has worked with the likes of Maroon 5, Pink, and Rihanna, heads the overall mastering of the tracks.

Pebble House, Vol. 1: Kuwaderno is out now via Sony Music on all digital music platforms worldwide including Spotify. And fans can also look forward to exclusive content only on Spotify.

The Itchyworms release new song “Eto Na (Ang Maliligayang Araw)” and a Spotify Music + Talk Show series to mark continued 25th anniversary celebration

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The Itchyworms celebrate their era-defining legacy with the release of their new single “Eto Na (Ang Maliligayang Araw)” and the six-part series, Worms Upon A Time: An Itchyworms Podcast as part of the band’s continued 25th anniversary celebration.

The year-long musical treat follows the success of Waiting For The End To Start, which was pressed on vinyl and immediately sold out upon its release, and the launch of “The Life I Know,” the first of its kind in the Philippine stop-motion animation music video, which garnered critical acclaim across the board.

25th Anniversary single

Returning to their brand of melodic pop-rock sensibilities with sharp hooks, bluesy guitar lines, and timeless lyrics, the multi-awarded Filipino band has dropped a call-and-response anthem about hurdling through the difficult times with a more hopeful mindset in life.

According to drummer and lead vocalist Jazz Nicolas, the song documents the feeling of being stuck in a challenging phase for a very long period, while hoping that everything will be fine. “You’re not quite there yet, but you feel that things are moving up a bit,” he emphasizes. “Kel and I call this the dark ages; it’s when all areas of your life seemed very bleak, and you always feel like there's no way out. In this song, you’re not out yet, but you have a feeling that you will be.”

Even before the pandemic happened, The Itchyworms have always wanted to produce a jam song that would make for a strong album opener. Most of their newer tracks gravitate toward the uncertainty of the future or the long-simmering anxiety brought by the lockdown. “Eto Na (Ang Maliligayang Araw),” however, confronts the situation that we’re in with the healing power of a catchy, upbeat guitar-pop tune. It’s a perfect fit for what a 25th anniversary should be: a commitment to represent the band’s music and the history held within it.

When the lockdown slightly eased, the band regrouped into the legendary Big Baby Studios, where some of the alt-rock quartet’s most notable hits were born. “Big Baby was always home to The Itchyworms, especially to Jazz, because this was his father’s original studio in their ancestral home,” lead vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Jugs Jugueta shares in a statement. “I remember recording the first few demos of The Itchyworms there. I also remember Tito Sonny showing us all of his guitars, and Chino and I were just in awe. Now, it has come full circle: Jazz and Peavey and the worms continue Tito Sonny’s legacy, and the fact that we recorded our 25th Anniversary single there means so much to us.”

The Itchyworms reworked the early version of the track by adding lyrics that pay homage to their story together as a group and even referenced some of their old songs in the material. Mixed and mastered by Jazz’s brother Peavy Nicolas, “Eto Na (Ang Maliligayang Araw)” finds the band experimenting with a Moog Little Phatty analog synth and a Yamaha Reface YC, bringing a unique twist on their classic sound. “It's good that we finally got to go into the studio for this,” Nicolas shares the process behind the recording. “We all recorded our instruments live in the studio. and all four of us sang on it.” The Itchyworms’ guitarist Chino Singson adds, “Plus the outro or coda is totally unrelated to the tonal center of the song, but it adds a Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour vibe.”

 Worms Upon A Time: An Itchyworms Show

To celebrate the release of their 25th anniversary single, the band launched Worms Upon A Time: An Itchyworms Podcast, a six-part series that explores the long-lasting appeal and impact of their albums in their 25 years of existence as a band. Produced by The Itchyworms and Sony Music Philippines, the show leverages Spotify’s latest format Music + Talk format, a new type of audio experience that brings together music tracks and spoken commentary, wrapped up into one immersive and interactive listening experience.

“I guess this is our version of the Beatles’ Anthology series,” Jugueta reveals. “Because that was the Beatles’ story as told by the Beatles. This show is our story, our history, our legacy as told by The Itchyworms ourselves. Look forward to stories that have never been shared before!”

 The Itchyworms will have important guests who will be joining them on the show. Jugueta explains, “This project is very close to our hearts, and we would like to thank Sony Music Philippines for producing it and to Wincy Ong for directing it and to Peavey Nicolas for recording and mixing it.”

The Itchyworms are also set to release a mockumentary that chronicles their 25 years in the music industry and a music video of their self-titled track “Waiting For The End To Start,” whose visual narrative serves as an artistic take on the ‘dystopian future post-pandemic’ life in the Philippines.    

The Itchyworms’ new single “Eto Na (Ang Maliligayang Araw)” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Philippines. Worms Upon A Time: An Itchyworms Podcast is also available on Spotify.

Ben&Ben and Munimuni team up for the very first time on “Sugat”

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In a history-making turn of events, critically adored group Ben&Ben have finally teamed up with indie-folk outfit Munimuni on “Sugat,” a heartfelt ballad that offers moments of solace and healing in a time that badly needs it.

While both award-winning acts have released songs that explore the pain of loss and the path towards self-care and recovery, “Sugat” allows space for reflection. The song acknowledges the importance of looking back and learning from the past, while refusing to be defined by the choices and mistakes people make.

According to Ben&Ben, the intricately produced song is percussionist Toni Muñoz’s love letter to herself during a difficult period in her life, when her confidence is weighed down by self-doubt. “When Toni first presented the song as it was at the time to the band, Paolo immediately thought of a chorus section to address and accompany the message of the verses,” the nine-piece band reveals in a statement. “It was the deeply personal experiences of both Toni and Paolo that made Sugat such a powerful song of self-healing and overcoming past wounds.”

With “Sugat,” Ben&Ben and Munimuni let the arrangement breathe, simmer, and linger around the moment before arriving at transcendence. The song was produced by Jean Paul Verona and Keifer Cabugao and, whose vision for the song leans towards that big and deep atmospheric sound while balancing the sense of intimacy that the instrument and vocals bring. Cabugao explains that the song requires special attention to which the music elements would be more evident. “We wanted to include only the right instrument that the song was asking for and so when we got the ’yes’ from Munimuni, it only became clearer how we would move forward. Marrying the soul sounds of Ben&Ben and Munimuni can be described as almost effortless, meant-to-be, and long overdue.”

Munimuni’s flute texture, in particular, not only balances the musical motif with soothing calm, but also gives it a freeing, meditative touch. “When we thought of the flute, it was an instant light bulb moment for all of us to think of Munimuni,” Ben&Ben disclose in an interview. “Not only was the flute texture a perfect fit, Munimuni was the perfect collaborator for such a delicate song about healing, and we couldn't imagine how we could have pulled it off without them.”

The collaboration came to fruition sometime this year when Ben&Ben invited Munimuni over to their studio to record “Sugat.” As longtime fans of their music, Ben&Ben have always wanted to work with Munimuni, and somehow the opportunity presented itself when Munimuni announced a comeback from their hiatus a few months ago.

During the recording session, the acclaimed band behind the hits “Pagtingin,” “Leaves,” and “Lifetime” offered a fairly blank canvas in which Munimuni infused their brand of introspective musicality. This resulted into a sonic poetry that is in itself an admission of vulnerability. “The very first time Adj and Owen sang the chorus, it was so much better than we could have imagined, and we couldn't believe just how perfect of a fit their voices were to support and carry the message of the song,” the chart-topping group recalls. “As for the flute solo, Owen of Munimuni really poured his heart into it, with several takes all of which we were so blown away by, but he wanted nothing less than perfection. When it was finished and we heard the final take, we were floored by the sheer depth and emotion the flute solo had, and we consider it now to be an integral part of the song.

https://youtu.be/LprUESAcasw

Munimuni, likewise, returned the favor by saying that they’ve learned so much from Ben&Ben and their creative process in making songs. “We’re grateful that Ben&Ben gave us the freedom to experiment with sounds and convey the mood of the song on collaborative terms,” the alt-pop quartet shares. “We also connected with the song on an intimate level, despite it being written by someone outside of the band. Paolo and Toni’s lyrics are written beautifully that it touched us, and gave us a new perspective on love and healing.”

Ben&Ben and Munimuni’s “Sugat” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music. Check out the music video on Ben&Ben’s official YouTube page.

 

Ben&Ben reunite with Moira on the confessional ballad “Pasalubong”

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After working together last year for the heartwarming ballad “Paalam,” which has reached more than 40 million streams on all combined music platforms, Ben&Ben and Moira are reuniting again for a song that captures the intensity of deep longing and persistent desire.

Their second collaborative single “Pasalubong” is a romantic confessional that drips with unapologetic sentimentality: a song that is defenseless in its yearning and honesty, hoping that one’s profession of love will be received and reciprocated.

According to Ben&Ben, the song was inspired by the double meaning behind the title, which is a term that is commonly used to refer to a gift, and a word that could also mean to meet. “The track is a play on both these meanings,” the acclaimed nine-piece outfit explains.

Moira adds that the song’s impact radiates on a universal level, simply because it shows bravery and honesty despite the odds. “It isn’t so common anymore today to say what you mean,” the hitmaker says. “So I love that after a whole song of poetry, we end with the simplest but scariest lines to say…. Gusto Kita.”

Written and produced by the band and Moira, with arrangement from Ben&Ben’s very own percussionist Andrew De Pano, the folk-pop tune encapsulates the beauty in sparseness, and the magic in turning an outpour of emotion into a generation-defining anthem.

Andrew reveals that he was tasked to oversee the production side of the material, relying heavily on the weight of the word as basis for the arrangement and the overall vibe. “A big immediate difference from the usual Ben&Ben sound is the way the guitars sound, and the absence of most of our usual elements in the beginning. There was a major effort to really embody and project emotions of waiting and uncertainty and longing, and the ‘bass drum’ sound that is present throughout the song is meant to symbolize those times we get so caught up deep in thought that we end up hearing our own heartbeat.”

For their part, multi-awarded singer-songwriter duo Moira and Jason Marvin Hernandez helped finish the lyrics and added lines that give the material its enduring pop appeal. “For Pasalubong, we built it from the original song and added elements to it while in the car on our way to the Ben&Ben house,” Moira shares.

Together, both Ben&Ben and Moira interpreted the heart-wrenching nature of the material with precision and character. They made the song both timely and timeless, with every flow punctuated by unwavering vulnerability, and every word cutting deep and beautifully.

“With Moira and Paolo’s evocative vocal performance and the band’s emotional execution of Andrew’s arrangement, Pasalubong is a song that will certainly bring up all kinds of feelings, and hopefully will give people comfort in knowing that they aren’t alone in their frustration and longing,” the band shares in a statement.

In terms of delivery, Moira is very particular with the tone being conversational, as if telling a friend about her day or sharing the story to a lover. She also commends Andrew for being hands on in the studio, guiding her in every step of the way. “He has this crazy way of making something complicated, seem so simple. There’s this pitch where we used the 7th note for the last chorus which I thought was genius— that was all Andrew.”

“Pasalubong” is the third single off Ben&Ben upcoming sophomore full-length album to be released next month. The song is now available on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Philippines. Watch out for the music video premiere on Ben&Ben’s official YouTube channel this July 30, 2021 at 6:00pm, Friday.

The Itchyworms mark 25th anniversary with the release of stop-motion animation film, “The Life I Know”

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Iconic pop-rock outfit The Itchyworms kick off their 25^th anniversary in the music industry with the official video release of “The Life I Know,” a piano-backed ballad off their fifth studio album, Waiting For The End To Start—released on digital music platforms via Sony Music Philippines.

Helmed by partners Marie Jamora and Jason McLagan of Indie Pop Films with animation from Apartment D, the music video is a first of its kind in the Philippines to feature a stop-motion animation format that is embedded with Filipino cultural sensibilities.

The journey of Awit

According to award-winning filmmaker Marie Jamora, the music video follows the story of Awit, a toddler who begins to understand her place in the world as she gets more independent from her mom. Tension arises when an incoming new sibling threatens to take the place that was once her own comfort space. Marie Jamora adds, “with this spiritual quest, Awit realizes that she needs to accept her new baby brother in order to reconnect once again with her mother.”

“Being a new mother myself and remembering the experience of having a baby in my own womb, I always wondered what was going on inside, whether there was a different universe that my baby lived in,” says Jamora. “This all inspired and informed me for our video. I don’t think I would have ever thought of this concept if I didn’t go through this experience.”

Director of animation Cami Kwan is proud of how important the film is in documenting the universal experience of growing up, and relates the concept to how a child starts to lose the world they’ve known, and navigate a new realm that is both uncomfortable and terrifying, but is part of a bigger life process. “There is a beauty and awe in embracing a wider world, of seeing beyond yourself, but there is an inherent loss in that as well, and we wanted to explore that sense of melancholy as well as that sense of power and joy.”

Trusted collaborator

Having worked with The Itchyworms for so many years as a former manager and music director for their timeless hits “Antipara,” “Buwan,” and “Love Team,” Jamora is a trusted collaborator of the band who has maintained a formidable friendship with them through the years. Lead vocalist, drummer and all-around musician Jazz Nicolas explains that of all the directors they’ve collaborated with, Jamora is the one that knows them really well. “I fully trust her with making this video. I asked her to make us a music video and to choose any song from the album she wanted to work on. She chose The Life I Know. I trust that she would put her whole heart into it and come up with something awesome, as she always does.”

“Personally, I always thought that her talent is really for the international stage,” co-lead vocalist, guitarist, and multi-instrumentalist Jugs Jugueta speaks fondly of Jamora. “With this project, we hope The Itchyworms too, can reach an international audience.”

Dream Weaver

As for the visual execution of the music video, Cami Kwan was excited with the infinite possibilities of the stop-motion animation as it “brings real materials to life in a way that no other art form can.” In true Filipino fashion, Kwan reveals that the team has always wanted to celebrate the tradition of weaving that exists in the country, specifically the textures and pattens in the work of T'Boli Dream Weaver. “The Dream World is made entirely of these traditional woven fabrics, and the characters are all made out of wool and other weaving materials,” the animator points out. “This fundamentally links the characters to the Dream World, which we also designed to evoke the feeling and patterns of a womb. Dreams and wombs are safe spaces, where anything is possible and where life can be created from nothing.”

The music video release of “The Life I Know” is part of a campaign series that aims to champion the legacy of Jazz Nicolas, Jugs Jugueta, Kelvin Yu, and Chino Singson a.k.a. The Itchyworms as one of the definitive bands of our time, a true mark of an artist that continues to shape pop culture consciousness for more than two decades and redefine Pinoy artistry with cross-generational classics. As part of the multiple celebrations that mark their existence for two decades and a half, The Itchyworms are also set to release the 25^th anniversary single “Eto Na,” a music video to their title track “Waiting For The End To Start,” a mockumentary chronicling their official ‘untrue’ story and Worms Upon A Time podcast.

The music video of The Itchyworms’ “The Life I Know” will be out on the band’s Official YouTube Channel and WeTV at 7:00pm.

 

Ben&Ben paint breathtaking imagery of young love on new single “Upuan”

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It’s official: Ben&Ben have finally released “Upuan,” the first single off their upcoming sophomore album to be released under Sony Music.

Written in 2019, in Dumaguete upon arrival at the hotel after one of their shows, their new song takes a nostalgic look on young love, and as Ben&Ben describe it, “the palpable romantic tension that arises from friendships that are formed by sitting next to each other, and the adventurous conversations that ensue.”

Lyrically, “Upuan” draws breathtaking imagery that interprets gestures in such lifelike ways, capturing a play of details with romantic earnestness. The band points out, “we incorporated a more visual style in the song, painting a picture for the listener and transporting them to that familiar place, of falling in love with someone they just met, whether that is in a classroom, by the beach, at a restaurant.”

It helps that they’re painting a picture in the listener’s head with ethereal arrangements and soaring choruses that swirl beautifully against a backdrop of naturalist setting: samples of birds singing, the swoosh of the waves, and even the conversation of the trees. There is magic in the way Ben&Ben fuse all these elements together to create a cinematic landscape punctuated by poetry and inventiveness. It’s effortlessly picturesque, while employing a level of commitment to make the audience feel like they’re part of the experience, as if tapping into something personal and is of utmost importance to their being.

In a joint statement, the nine-piece collective said that the music of “Upuan” was conceived during a random jamming session with no prior agenda as to how it would sound. “But to our surprise, that first jamming brought about the soul of how Upuan sounds now. The earthy, ethereal soundscapes, and that sense of sonic adventure came from the fact that we just moved in together, and being in a new place surrounded with summer vibes and nature elements, helped shape our expression of our new song. We feel very blessed to be close to nature in this season and it’s almost like a tribute to their beauty that we included them in the song.”

Written and produced by Ben&Ben, co-produced/mixed by Jean Paul Verona, and mastered by Leon Zervos, “Upuan” was recorded in the band’s home studio. Verona and sound engineer Sam Marquez helped in the recording process, giving the song its final touches.

The acclaimed hitmakers are also currently working on their second album. “Since the production of this song, we're continuously working on all the other songs that will complete it. We're really pushing forward in terms of experimentation and diversity of sound in the songs.”

Ben&Ben’s “Upuan” is out now on all streaming platforms worldwide via Sony Music.

Destiny Rogers thanks BLACKPINK’s Lisa for viral boost, drops new version of “Tomboy”

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Rising singer/songwriter Destiny Rogers today releases a new version of her debut single “Tomboy” featuring New Jersey rap sensation Coi Leray. 

This new version follows ignited streams of “Tomboy” after Lisa of K-Pop group BLACKPINK posted a choreographed mini-film entitled “Lili’s Movie” performed to “Tomboy,” which has enjoyed over 39 million views and counting since its release last month.

Following Lisa’s post, Destiny’s single “Tomboy” peaked at #12 on the Spotify Viral 50 Global chart and is currently top 20 on the chart. Destiny connected with Lisa from BLACKPINK directly on FaceTime last night to thank her for the new wave of support for “Tomboy.”

“Tomboy” is Destiny’s signature single boasts over 44 million audio streams. Nylon raved upon its release: “Talk about a killer debut” and Ones To Watch called the single “a striking grand entrance into the music world.”

“Tomboy” was produced by Grammy-Award winning producers and songwriters, The Stereotypes (Bruno Mars “24K Magic,” Cardi B/Bruno Mars “Please Me”), and introduced Destiny to listeners and showcased her strong songwriting skills and soulful lyrics.

Destiny Rogers is currently in the studio working on new material. Recent collaborations include co-writing G-Eazy and Kiana Lede’s “A Little More” and is featured on Phora’s new track “the art of letting go.”

About Destiny Rogers

21-year-old Destiny Rogers is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who was born and bred in Lodi, a small Northern California town. At age 6, she became obsessed with skateboarding and even thought she wanted to pursue her passion professionally. But, growing up in the church with her father who is a youth pastor and listened to AC/DC and Mexican mother who listened to Mariachi, Destiny was pulled in by the power of music. At age 9 she received her first guitar and by age 10 taught herself how to play by watching Justin Bieber covers online and thereafter realized she could sing.

 After a few years of busking in Los Angeles on the weekends and facing trials and tribulations of the music industry, she was finally connected to members of Grammy-Award-winning songwriter/producer team The Stereotypes (Bruno Mars, Cardi B) and eventually began working with them. She signed to their label, Beach Wave Sound in 2018.  The result is confidence in the languid R&B and hip-hop-inflected pop songs which can be heard on her Tomboy EP.

 Destiny has performed at various festivals including Something in the Water, Lights On and Tyler, The Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw. She most recently wrapped tour with Ruel on his “Free Time Tour” with dates across North America and Europe.

We Got tackles romantic relationships gone astray on reggae tune “LDR”

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Eight-piece reggae outfit We Got has finally dropped their new single just in time for summer.

Released under Sony Music Philippines, “LDR” is an easygoing tropical tune that shows how cruel a long-distance affair could be most of the time.

Punctuated by offbeat rhythms, syncopated bass lines, and punchy horns, the song cuts through the emotional core with its realistic take on relationships gone astray.

In a collective statement, We Got shares how “LDR” managed to tackle themes that center on trust, temptation, and eventually, lost love. “We have observed that this situation keeps happening over and over. We made this song not to raise more hurt feelings, but to help them realize that there’s more to life than dwelling on lost relationships.”

“LDR” was produced by Raymund Marasigan, who has worked with the crossover act on numerous occasions, particularly on their previously released tunes “Ligaya,” a cover of The Eraserheads’ beloved ‘90s hit, and “Lihim Na Pagtingin,” an original which has amassed more than a hundred thousand streams on Spotify alone.

The band considers working with the acclaimed rock icon as one of the best things that happened to them individually, and as a band. “From his years of experience in the music industry, he was able to share his techniques to make our songs more unique.”

“LDR” was recorded at Kodama Studios with Shinji Tanaka at the helm of mixing and mastering duties, and Hazel Pascua serving as the track’s sound engineer. It will be part of an upcoming record to be released soon via Sony Music Philippines and Soupstar Music.

We Got’s latest single “LDR” is out now on all digital platforms worldwide.

 

 

KHALID BRINGS HIS HEADLINE ‘FREE SPIRIT WORLD TOUR 2020’ TO MANILA

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International multi platinum-selling artist Khalid has today announced nine Asia dates as part of his headline ‘Khalid Free Spirit World Tour’. 

His highly anticipated new album ‘Free Spirit’ is out now via Right Hand Music Group / RCA Records and Sony Music Entertainment.

The six-time Grammy Award nominee and four-time American Music Award winner is set to bring his much-awaited tour to Manila on April 2, 2020 at the Mall of Asia Arena. The Asia Tour 2020 includes stops in Bangkok, Singapore, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Seoul, Mumbai and Bangalore. One more city to be announced soon.

Since releasing his debut hit single ‘Location’ in 2016, which went on to go quadruple platinum, Khalid has continued to cement his global status as one of music’s most promising breakout stars. Already accumulating a stellar array of awards and wins from the likes of MTV, Billboard and BET, his Asia tour offers his legion of loyal fans a chance to experience his latest musical offering.

Tickets to ‘Khalid Free Spirit World Tour’ in Manila go on-sale starting Saturday, December 14 at 10AM via SMTickets.com, SM Ticket outlets or Call 8470-2222. 

Presented by AEG Presents Asia, Wilbros Live and Midas Promotions.

#KhalidManila2020

#KhalidFreeSpiritWorldTour

Facebook, Twitter and Instragram: @WilbrosLive

So Fresh, The Best of 2014

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2014: A YEAR OF FRESH HITS

Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music joined forces to cook up the year’s freshest hits compilation release so aptly entitled So Fresh, The Best of 2014, clamping up 20 big-shot songs including Billboard Hot 100 #1s such as Miley Cyrus, Meghan Trainor, John Legend, Pharrell Williams and MAGIC! Now it couldn’t get any fresher than that!

Running for more than 70 minutes, the CD packs in 20 speaker juices including new-world hotness anthem “All About That Bass” from 2014 breakthrough artist Meghan Trainor, as well as girl-power collaborations “Problem” by Ariana Grande feat. Iggy Azalea, “Black Widow” by Iggy Azalea feat. Rita Ora, and the Jessie J- Ariana Grande-Nicki Minaj airwave buster “Bang Bang”. Numbering in more of the dance floor hits, it also features tracks from DJs Calvin Harris with “Summer” and Avicii with EDM-country crossover “Hey Brother”, plus certified dance tracks “Wild Wild Love” (Pitbull feat. G.R.L.), “Do What U Want” (Lady Gaga feat. R. Kelly) and “This Is How We Do” (Katy Perry).

Male musers won’t get disappointed as bands like MAGIC! reel in household staple “Rude” and Maroon 5 with “Maps”. Pop prince Justin Timberlake is also featured with “Not A Bad Thing”, and newcomer Sam Smith with “I’m Not The Only One” from his first album that came out this year. Boybands are also in line as “Story Of My Life” by One Direction and “She Looks So Perfect” by 5 Seconds of Summer are counted on the track list.

So Fresh throws down every now and then too with slow tunes spread all throughout: the overtly heated “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus, the comeback classic of John Legend “All of Me”, and Begin Again movie theme “Lost Stars” by Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine.

Instant classics such as “Happy (from Despicable Me 2)” by Pharrell Williams and “Love Never Felt So Good”, a posthumous virtual duet by pop legend Michael Jackson with Justin Timberlake, raise the bar for other concurrent various artist releases.

By and large, the bravado of So Fresh is in its qualitative AND quantitative collection. This 20-track assembly is massive enough to stir up anticipation on what could be a really, really good year ahead in music...and what could be a very, very good compilation franchise.

The complete and sequential tracklist of So Fresh:

1. Meghan Trainor – “All About That Bass” (Clean Version)

2. Maroon 5 – “Maps”

3. Pharrell Williams – “Happy (from Despicable Me 2)”

4. Ariana Grande feat. Iggy Azalea – “Problem”

5. MAGIC! – “Rude”

6. Jessie J feat. Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj – “Bang Bang”

7. Calvin Harris – “Summer”

8. Avicii – “Hey Brother”

9. Pitbull feat. G.R.L. – “Wild Wild Love”

10. Iggy Azalea feat. Rita Ora – “Black Widow” (Clean Edit)

11. Miley Cyrus – “Wrecking Ball” (Clean Version)

12. Sam Smith – “I’m Not The Only One” (Radio Edit)

13. Justin Timberlake – “Not A Bad Thing” (Clean Version)

14. Katy Perry – “This Is How We Do”

15. Michael Jackson feat. Justin Timberlake – “Love Never Felt So Good”

16. Lady Gaga feat. R Kelly – “Do What U Want” (Edited)

17. One Direction – “Story of My Life”

18. 5 Seconds of Summer – “She Looks So Perfect”

19. John Legend – “All Of Me”

20. Adam Levine – “Lost Stars” (Album Version)

So Fresh is available in major record stores nationwide starting last December 2014, under Ivory Music & Video. Get two bonus tracks when you get it on digital! 

Additional tracks “Turn Down For That” by DJ Snake & Lil Jon and “Love Runs Out” by One Republic come with downloads of the album off iTunes.

Visit IVORY Music & Video’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/ivorymusicandvideophilippines for the latest news and updates on your favorite local and international artists!