Converse Get Loud Finals
By Nico
Erle Ciriaco
After an
exhaustive nationwide search that involved scouring hundreds of performance
venues, visiting thousands of band sites and YouTube channels and immersing
into the alternative music scene, the five band finalists battled it out for
Converse Philippines “Get Loud” band sing-off culmination night at the Excess
Superclub in Quezon City.
The
Converse Get Loud campaign is a celebration of music, creativity and the
talented Pinoy artists. Converse and music are inseparable. The label,
especially its iconic Chuck Taylor All-Star, has always been the sneaker of
choice for many musicians as it is a badge of self-expression.
“Rebellious
rock music is the DNA of Converse. It reflects an attitude of life; getting
loud and not making anything quietly. The finalists were selected for their
unique outlooks in life,” apprized advertising & marketing manager Eli
Bonsol.
Baguio
City’s heavy metal rock group Even emerged as the country’s first-ever winner
in the recently concluded “Converse Get Loud” band sing-off competition held
recently in Quezon City’s party strip. The quartet, representing North Luzon,
also took home the People’s Choice award; being the band that garnered the most
number of votes in the on-line poll that comprised 20 per cent of the overall
criteria.
“Our
cheeks are red hot ‘til now. It was a long and arduous journey to find the
music that fitted us. We will be writing new material for our upcoming album
and we will use the money we won to produce it. Baguio is such a quiet place so
we wanted to make just the right amount of noise. We love the rock genre for
its heaviness and weight; looking up to groups like Slapshock and Perfect
Circle. Our next album collaboration will feature six new cuts,” enthused
tattooed lead vocalist Dyanne Licudine, who we learned was a tattoo artist as
well; dabbling in skin works at her clinic Musink in Baguio.
The
songwriting competition-cum-musical showdown crowned Even for their entry Luminary, a song on people empowerment.
The song won for its well thought-out lyrics woven into heavy chugs and bass
then melded into drum lines. The band started forming in May 2007 when members
Jam Bumanlag (guitars), Coco Saupan (bass), Dan Allan Acosta (drums) and Dyanne
decided to form a group after numerous gig/sessions at the Feedback jam studio.
The
strength of each musical composition took the bulk of the criteria at 30 per
cent. Musicality, on the other hand, weighed 25 per cent while the live
performances made up the remaining 25 per cent.
“Sometimes,
we don’t realize our potentials ‘til we dig deep and bring out what’s lurking
or hidden. It was a wild ride throughout this journey. All’s a blast!”
commented Dyanne on their dark and melancholic music that was played with
superb audio mixing; giving us an idea why they are the Pine City’s most
sought-after act.
Aside
from the honor of being named the country’s pioneering champions, Even took
home with them P75K cash and P75K worth of Converse products.
“I’m
simply blown away! It’s nice to see that musicians take advantage of
technology,” quipped panelist Ebe Dancel.
“I’m excited
with their performance. That’s what get loud means and I know my market,”
agreed Converse brand manager and panelist Dan Mindanao.
Cebu
City’s sibling act Bethany came in a close second with their entry Keep Moving On. The representative from
the Visayas went home with a hefty P100K in equal parts of cash and Converse
merchandise. “We wrote the song with the youth in mind. Making mistakes is not
a one-time thing. We must rise up after each failure. It’s the soundtrack of
other people’s lives; ensuring that our music lives on,” confessed lead
vocalist Luis Quibranza III.
The two
other Quibranza brothers – Paolo Miguel (drums/vocals), and Angelo (lead
guitar/vocals) – together with Luis III and Kevin Borromeo (bass) immersed
themselves into songwriting in 2008 and began performing right after the
latter’s addition. They take pride in their delivery of alternative rock music
that has a lot of curve balls, intense guitar work, smart lyrics, and
infectious melodies.
“It’s a
good day for OPM with bands coming from the islands. Discipline is there and it
shows. You should play in Manila as often,” invited panelist Ebe Dancel.
“I see
the tightness, the proficient execution of every note, guitar rift, and the
dynamics of the song. Compared to the others, we hear you on stage despite the
many technical glitches,” observed panelist Mark Laccay.
Davao
City’s acoustic act Jad Montenegro won as 2nd runner up. The quintet
from Mindanao delivered the mellow ditty The
Escapist through haunting melodies and soulful guitar rift. Jad Montenegro
received a prize package of P60K, with money and merchandise in equal measure.
“We are
not rockers but more like dreamers. So we introduce you to the dreamscape. This
is a song on the human condition as it chronicles the transitions from denial
to accepting reality,” shared lead vocalist Jad, who named the band with her
entire name. Starting as a solo act down south, Jad felt the need to expand her
musical horizons by forming a group with friends: Dave Ibao (guitars/back-up
vocals), Eric Luzada (lead guitars), Pjoe Sabanpan (bass), and Carlo Garcia
(drums).
“I liked
this composition. While all of the bands improved, this is the one that got my
attention,” opined Converse brand manager Dan Mindanao.
Jad
Montenegro capped the evening’s performances but was, however, requested to
perform their song again due to a major technical glitch that the judges felt
was unfair to the group. “It’s a great song and we can see that they worked
hard in writing the lyrics. I encourage the group to look at their arrangement
again because the details didn’t feel as concise as the core of the song; so
the execution could have been much better,” appraised panelist Francis Reyes.
NCR
finalist Brisom placed 3rd runner-up with their entry Waking Lives. “This song is about life
and supporting each other through it. We are so happy about being in the finals
and our exposure on radio, especially on the K-Lite station,” intimated lead
vocalist Brian Somera, whose name’s contraction became the group label.
Most of
the bands’ songs are based on Brian’s soul-searching travels and life-changing
realizations, capturing the sound of soulful indie rock with straightforward
clarity and lyrics from the heart. Joining lead vocalist-guitarist Brian are
Jeffrey Castro (drums and beats), Jason Rondero (bass), Tim Abbot (synthesizer
and keys), and Terence Teves (guitar).
“The band
delivered at the level we expected,” commented panelist Francis Reyes, hinting
on the song’s radio-friendly sound that’s brought about by smooth vocals and a
great arrangement.
“They
played with how they know how to play despite the many technical glitches in
the audio equipment of the venue. Musicians have to cope with these things. The
song has a high recall; the melody still rings in my ear,” added panelist Mark
Laccay.
Rizal
Province’s Kissbone was proclaimed 4th runner-up with their entry Distance and Motion, a
monotonous-sounding ditty about kith & kin. Representing Southern Luzon,
the band is comprised of Armin Joseph Pepito (guitar/vocals), Justine Sioson
(guitar/vocal), Renz Jerome (drums), Parker Cataquian (bass), and Allan Paulo
Luching (rhythm guitar). Beginning with punk rock unto the emo-screamo genre
during their days at Sienna College Taytay, the group now unleashes hardcore
and acid rock metal music.
“We
can’t knock down your very high energy level. Cardio works for you guys! Be that
as it may, we find incoherence in your lyrics. You could use some direction in
your writing. There are many ways to express emotions but as a musician, it is
your job to uplift listeners. You do not just come off as a bit too ordinary,”
remarked panelist John Hendrix Hernandez.
“I’m
quite concerned with how you’ll perform in the future. So keep playing and
practicing. There’s still a sense of awkwardness in what you do,” concurred
panelist Francis Reyes, referring to the group’s ‘jumping jack’ routine
choreography.
Both the
Brisom and Kissbone bands each received a P40K price package in cash and
Converse products.
Converse
believes in unleashing the creative spirit of its target market. With its
global campaign, “Shoes are boring, wear sneakers,” the brand challenges its
customers to choose the Chuck Taylor classics and the many modern designs it
has spawned. The company believes that Converse’s very essence is to speak up,
stand out, and make a difference.
“A few
months ago, we sought out the freshest and most talented acts in the local band
arena and came up with five newbie bands representing the best in the
independent rock scene. These bands were selected for their unique outlook in
life; musicians whose passions are fueled by music. Each band represented
different regions of the Philippines – North Luzon, NCR, Southern Tagalog,
Visayas, and Mindanao - with different
songs, expressing different points of view but are gathered together to unleash
that creative spirit thru sneaker moments that disrupt the boring shoe world,”
intoned the ever-busy advertising & marketing manager.
“After
selecting these bands through an exhaustive nationwide search, rallying their
supporters through various on-line initiatives and organizing bar tours to get
them revved up for the finals, we were down to the wire and eager to proclaim
the chosen one. It was really a matter of giving an explosive performance on
stage and establishing that unique connection with the audience.
“This
undertaking pushes the global spirit of our market; with sneakers used as
tools, both, for self-expression and our worldwide campaign. Converse simply
unleashes the creative spirit through the bands’ sneaker music that will,
hopefully, shake out the monotony in the footwear industry. These bands simply
enrich the Pinoy music library,” Bonsol concluded.
For more
updates on Converse and the contest winners, simply check the brand’s social
network page on www.facebook.com/ConversePhilippines.
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