Eggboy

Eggboy is the lo-fi/electronic project of Diego Mapa, known for his works with Pedicab, Cambio, Monsterbot and Tarsius. Known for the cozy atmosphere apparent in his music, Eggboy evokes a sense of nostalgia by utilizing a multitude of instruments available at his disposal. Old drum kits, drum machines, analog synths, guitars, and his laid back vocals were all utilized to create various sounds that seemed to cohesively come together to form the familiar “homemade” vibe Eggboy is known for.

                                                       

His first EP, “Taste Test”, was released in 1998. Containing memorable tracks such as “Nagsasawa Ka Na Ba?” and the demo for “Lost With You”, the EP firmly established Eggboy as the sonic equivalent of an afternoon spent hanging out with friends. The second EP, “Everyday Starting Today”, was released in 2000 through Manila-New York based dOCUMENTO Records. Featuring some of the songs found in Taste Test, this EP contained a fully realized version of Lost With You, along with new tracks such as “Get It Over” and “Details”. The third EP, “The Unknown Wrestler”, was released in 2003 by Monopond Records. This EP contained the best cuts of the previous two EPs in a shorter tracklist. All three EPs were released in the CD-R format, being distributed in gigs and specialty stores. These EPs would later be further condensed together in the “98-05” anthology, Eggboy’s most well known release.

Released in 2005, this anthology served as Eggboy’s last release at the time. “98-05” contained the best tracks of the EPs, ordered to form a cohesive piece of art that would be loved by multiple people in the scene. “Multiple people” might be somewhat of an understatement with the amount of people that “98-05” has enchanted. Ranging from the heartbroken, those who tuned into Tales of the Friend Zone, almost every music geek in the UP music circle and the Filipino music scene in general, this anthology has captured the hearts of many. Bands such as Ang Bandang Shirley, Ciudad, Ourselves the Elves, and The Gory Orgies all adore Eggboy to some degree."98-05” would serve to be Eggboy’s best release, but also his last for the time being.

After focusing on his bands and getting into synths and the art of DJing, 2008 saw the return of Eggboy with a new sound. Taking influences from several electronic sound palettes, Eggboy came back with two major accomplishments: “50 INSTRUMENTALS N A WK” and the “Dragzbanny EP”

“50 INSTRUMENTALS N A WK” is the “unofficial” release of the soundtrack Eggboy made for Season 1 of Project Runaway Philippines. As the name implies, all of the tracks were made in the span of a week. Writing almost 10 songs per day, Eggboy churned out several stingers, bumpers, reprisals of older tracks, and full soundtracks for the show. Some of the instrumentals in this compilation went straight to the show, while the others were compiled in this release for cohesion.

“Dragzbanny EP” fuses together his older aesthetic and his forays into electronic music. The end result is a sound miles away from the original lo-fi home recordings, but still residing in the same universe. Although “Dragzbanny EP” tackles new territory, the atmosphere of the music is still rooted in that found in the first three EPs and 98-05.

Aside from the two singles “No Way Jose” and “Strange Odyssey”, there wasn't much activity from Eggboy until June of 2016 with the release of his latest EP titled “Spotlight Effect”. The EP contained songs from the early four-track era that were not included in the first three EPs or “98-05”. With the exception of the track “Beat Matsing”, all of the tracks found in the EP were fully re-imagined and re-recorded.

Sporadic as Eggboy may appear, his sound and influence permeates throughout several scenes. His works have always been seen as a great unifier: Eggboy is most likely the one artist people from different scenes have as a common favorite. And overall, the essence of Eggboy is that of true DIY, the rawness of making music for the sake of letting people be a part of the experience.

NO WAY JOSE (2009)

STRANGE ODYSSEY SINGLE (2008) 

 98 - 05 (2005)

DRAGZBANNY EP (2008)

SPOTLIGHT EFFECT (2016)

50 INSTRUMENTALS N A WK (2018)

CIUDAD

Ciudad are one of the most adored four-piece alternative/indie-rock band based in Metro Manila, Philippines. Formed around 1994 consisting of members Mikey (Hannah + Gabi, Blast Ople), Jeff, Justin (Boldstar), and Mitch (Sugarfree, Twisted Halo). The band is known for their catchy hooks and choruses, consistent arrangements, and some quirky lyricism just to top it all off. The band started as a group assignment for their Social Studies homework at school. They were still highschool teens at the time but then their friendship grew as the project became a full band by the time they released their first studio-recorded album titled “Hello! How Are You, Mico the Happy Bear?” under the BMG label around mid-2000, the new millennium. Their first album featured the essence of 90’s indie rock/bubblegum rock similar to bands like Lemonheads and Weezer. In tracks like “Parang Si Zab”, “Corina Turina”, “Seems Like You're Not Funny At All”, and “Radio Guy” have been my personal favorites for its wholesome songwriting yet solid display of musicianship the guys have at the time. In conclusion, “Mico the Happy Bear” was a solid reminder that alternative rock was still alive while New Year was bringing in new and innovative ideas of music at the time.

Fast forward to 2002, Ciudad have independently released their second album titled “Is That Ciudad? Yes, Son, It’s Me”, and with that being out in the open in a wider audience, the group has shown their fans what it means to be grown-ups by showing their more sensitive side with “Dance Lessons”, “Give Me A Break”, “Mascot (Justin’s Revenge)”, “Dessie Belle”, and “Richie The Rockstar”. This album also featured more of Mikey’s piano playing, which made his singing the highlight in the project. For others, “Yes, Son, It’s Me” is a classic pop album by Ciudad.

By the year 2005, Ciudad released their third album “It’s like A Magic”, a collection of songs that they wrote way before their first album in 2000. Then by 2008, Ciudad have released what may be their best record to date, Bring Your Friends. Their fourth album houses 13 solid tracks from start to finish. The album spawned one of their greatest hits such as “Until It’s Cool”, “My Emptiness”, “Friday Noon”, and “You Should”. This was probably the time where they’re finally comfortable with the sound they are playing in. From going to the garage rock realm to a now more distinguished sound of fuzzy twee and alternative rock, Bring Your Friends was an adventure for the band. Balancing between the feelings of longing for the person you want to be with for the rest of your life to the lighthearted emotion of actually falling for that person. It’s a romantic album for nerds who feel like they want to express their love in awesome build-ups by Mikey and guitar solos provided by their lead guitarist Justin Sunico and the superb performance of their drummer Mitch Singson.

By the year 2009, the band went abroad to the East Coast of the United States to perform in the CMJ Music Festival in New York. Having your band perform overseas is a big thing at the time and I’m glad to know that they were able to play outside of their home town. Shortly after performing live, they were able to record their rehearsals titled “Brooklyn Sessions” and it’s up for free download in their Bandcamp page.

In 2012, they released their fifth album called “Follow the Leader”, this followed right after when frontman Mikey released a solo EP titled “Haha Yes” under the Hannah + Gabi moniker. The album was directly influenced by Mikey’s lessons in songwriting and techniques in recording for future releases. Its Beatles-esque inspired tracks go along so well, the duration of this album won’t remind you when this album will be finished. “There’s A Lonely Road To Sunday Night”, “How You Do It”, and “When You Get To The Top” are worth the honourable mentions here whenever this album is brought up in discussion. The aforementioned tracks are also worthy contenders in being one of the most thought out pieces written throughout the band’s entire discography. “Follow The Leader” was a sign of growth, and literally we do say this, a path to adulthood for a band that wanted to exceed everyone’s expectations one album at a time.

In 2017, they’ve released a brand new single titled “Caught Me at The Worst Time”. This single was leading up to their anticipated sixth album slated to release later this year (2018) or next year (2019). They’ve released a second single for their brand new album titled “Get You Closer”, the track was a mixture of a wistful piano ballad and old-fashioned indie pop bass and warm guitars backing up Mikey’s earnestness in the jumble.

Ever since Ciudad came in bursting through the young and thriving local music community, the band’s arrival became a magical time for every indie fan out there, until now it still is a special time whenever you see the name “Ciudad” listed in the marquee in your local gig. If you mention the term “alternative” or “garage” or even “local “indie””, Ciudad pops out of the dark like a kid ready to rock out your birthday party. Ciudad is one of the most beloved independent bands that are still playing live even if they’re about to release their sixth album. For a band who still self-releases their albums despite different climates, your band has survived quite a lot from there and this doesn’t mean you’ll stop there. Here’s to another decade of some greater pop music. Check Ciudad out and their entire discography!

HELLO, HOW ARE YOU? MICO THE HAPPY BEAR (2000)

IS THAT CIUDAD? YES SON, IT'S ME (2002)

IT'S LIKE MAGIC (2005)

BRING YOUR FRIENDS (2008)

BROOKLYN SESSIONS (2009)

FOLLOW THE LEADER (2012)

CAUGHT ME AT THE WORST TIME SINGLE (2017)

GET YOU CLOSER SINGLE (2017)

Pastilan Dong!

Pastilan Dong! is a 3-man noise-rock/shoegaze/­psychedelic/(leaning towards) slacker rock band from Manila, but the band's name was derived from a Bisayan expression. Founded in 2013, Pastilan Dong! started with 4 members, consisting of Kaloy Olavides on guitar and vocals, Pow Martinez on guitar, Stanley Ruiz on bass and Vin Zafra on drums. The band went on a short state of hiatus but in 2017, Rio Vargas of Shoulder State took over bass duties for the band together with Kaloy and Vin. I can say if you're a fan of most 90's bands (which I am), you can definitely hear evocative influences. I've watched them live multiple times and my slam-dancing skills improved as hell because of this band. Pastilan Dong! is a living proof that extremely loud, distortion-driven indie rock bands still have a place in the current musical landscape mostly dominated by dreary, boring bands deemed to be cool by trend-chasing hipsters who play it way too safe with their preferences.

In 2014, the band released their self-titled debut album and until now "Unya" is still one of my favorite songs from the band. You would notice from this album how the band's songwriting structure is different from the underground bands we usually listen to. Their sophomore album Every Step Is Backward was released in 2015 and it took me on a whole journey of chaotic-noise but it left me in a calm state. "More of You" and "Tantrum" are my favorite songs from this release. The voice and guitar riffs of Kaloy (from Grows, Kapitan Kulam and Kagwang-- I think Sonic Youth is really a big influence to Kaloy, just listening to Kagwang and Pastilan Dong! it really made a mark) made this band a standout from the rest. It's 2018 and I can't compare any local acts as good as Pastilan Dong!, may it be played through my headphones or in a live performance. Pastilan Dong! keeps on ripping walls of noise that goes with the flow of being borderline catchy and strange. With their 3rd album on the works, this band never fails to amaze me. There's an inside joke around my friends from the scene when someone will watch Pastilan Dong! for the first time, our automatic response is, "Ready na ba tainga mo sa Pastilan Dong!?" (Translates: Are your ears ready for Pastilan Dong!?)

[entry written by Protagonist]

Self-Titled (2014)

Every Step is Backward (2015)