There is currently a growing number of music scenes developing across far and South East Asia. Over the next few months gumball3000.com will be introducing you to a number of them, providing information, interviews and video clips.
One that seems to be gaining the most attention is a Filipino movement known as Pinoy Soul. The scene came to prominence amongst the young professional café society of South Manila and chill nights in bars such as Sanguijo in the quiet back streets of the business district of Makita City. Fans, usually aged under 30, have become fiercely loyal and supportive throughout the movement’s growth. They have turned the bands t-shirts into fashionable merchandise, with award winning design house Team Manila providing the tee's for band Up Dharma Down's recent album launch.
The scene is represented online through odysseylive.net – a site that showcases original Filipino/Pinoy music and features social networking for fans, blogs, videos and downloadable MP3s.
Pinoy Soul bands have also begun to participate in festivals such as the Fete dela Musique, organised by Alliance Francaise de Manille – the cultural arm of the French Embassy in Manila, and the Manila Jazz Festival.
The sound is hard to pin down as each band differs slightly in style and melody but there are a few shared prominent elements. Despite having 'soul' in the title, the music's subtle and ambient sound is more likened to electronica with a generous smattering of jazz. However as Sinosikat? Vocalist, Kat Agarrado, explains, "Soul comes from within, what is true."
With the use of instruments such as synthesizers, sequencers, keyboards and drum machines it is easy to cite British bands such as Portishead and Zero 7 as strong influences on the movement. This is not to say however, that Pinoy Soul is not something new, it definitely has something fresh, just a freshness that has to be heard to be understood, quoting Kat Agarrado again: "The audience will surely feel it when they hear it. It's something original."
UP DHARMA DOWN
Up Dharma Down released their first album 'Fragmented' under independent record label Terno Recordings in 2006 after winning In the Raw Award in 2005 and Best New Artist awards in 2006 at the NU 107 Rock Awards. The quartet released their second album 'Bipolar' on in October 2008.
SINOSIKAT?
Sinosikat? had been on the underground radar for quite some time. The three-piece released their eponymous first album in 2007 and are currently signed to Warner Music. The band were recently nominated for the People's Choice Award at the 2008 Awit Awards – the annual awards of the Philippine Association of the Record Industry.
KAPATID
Trough the years Kapatid have managed to weather a never-ending string of trials, including an ever changing line-up and the death of a member. However, owing to a strong fan base the quartet has remained at the forefront of the scene and are currently working on their third album to be released under Sony BMG.
