I would carry with me a lengthwise Beatles notepad in case an idea hits me I'd scribble down the lines and images on the sheets.
Since Midweek Sessions' comeback in Feb 2007, reinventing the logo had become a persistent need. And for a long time the right inspiration just don't happen. Sketches, sketches, and more sketches.
Then I saw a sketch of a kick drum looking like a tambourine.
Bingo!
After that I talked to Lucille Umali a.k.a. Palot. She's one of those graphic artists I know who's got sharp ears for creative collaborations... perhaps even with the vague ones.
So I brought my notepad, talked, presented my sketch samples to her, and asked if she would be interested to translate the tambourine idea into a logo.
We came up with this.
Showing posts with label bands. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bands. Show all posts
Friday, May 1, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
The rock station is back?
There's no official word yet but the rumor is spreading like virus.
I heard this once. I heard this twice. Three times. Four times. Yes. the rock station is back.
Yes, that station.
That station that's supposed to encourage creativity among local bands and provide far better airplay than other radio stations. The latter I agree.
That rock station that's supposed to deliver good rock 'n' roll at its finest.
That same rock station whose boss discouraged the promotion of original songs at the early heydays of Midweek Sessions... "because the people are not ready yet", that boss said.
Wow! What a piece of advice. Who sets the standards anyway? Oh well past is past and all is forgiven. Midweek Sessions insisted and persisted.
If the rumor is true, I just hope that the new management will be more receptive to new ideas and options. I hope this time, the home of new rock have learned to finally walk its talk. Of course it's business. And so is the tagline.
I'm still hopeful that this promise may not end as just another facade of false hopes. Here's to good music!
I heard this once. I heard this twice. Three times. Four times. Yes. the rock station is back.
Yes, that station.
That station that's supposed to encourage creativity among local bands and provide far better airplay than other radio stations. The latter I agree.
That rock station that's supposed to deliver good rock 'n' roll at its finest.
That same rock station whose boss discouraged the promotion of original songs at the early heydays of Midweek Sessions... "because the people are not ready yet", that boss said.
Wow! What a piece of advice. Who sets the standards anyway? Oh well past is past and all is forgiven. Midweek Sessions insisted and persisted.
If the rumor is true, I just hope that the new management will be more receptive to new ideas and options. I hope this time, the home of new rock have learned to finally walk its talk. Of course it's business. And so is the tagline.
I'm still hopeful that this promise may not end as just another facade of false hopes. Here's to good music!
Monday, April 13, 2009
A true story of a punk band and the punk band members
A group of four barkadas decided to form a band. The founder was born with a silver spoon. The other three was born from a family whose socio-economic status falls between middle-earning to below-average-earning families.
The rich kid decided that punk is their genre of choice. He would then convince his band mates that there is no money in a rock band and that all they can do is play for free.
They played and they played and they played for free.
They buy records of American punk bands. Their idol punk bands had been making money from the punk music they wrote but the rich kid still insists that income is not possible for punk bands especially in Cebu. They would then bring the newly bought records home, listen to it and sepra the whole album. Soon they learned to play them live.
One day, the rich kid decided to write their own punk songs. The band mates simply obliged. So they did.
They played and they played and they played for free.
After a while, the rich kid and his family decided to migrate to America. So the rich kid left his bandmates. And he formed another band there. He got good gigs and made some cash too.
Meanwhile, his bandmates back in Cebu, not being able to put the band back decided to look for a day job. In one interview, the HR manager asked ,"So you have a band? What made you decide to look for a job?"
The band member answered ,"mag tigum ko ug kwarta sa akong sweldo para naa koy ika-sustento sa akong banda banda."
He didn't get the job.
And they tried to play and they played and they played and they played for free... while the rich kid lives happily ever after.
The rich kid decided that punk is their genre of choice. He would then convince his band mates that there is no money in a rock band and that all they can do is play for free.
They played and they played and they played for free.
They buy records of American punk bands. Their idol punk bands had been making money from the punk music they wrote but the rich kid still insists that income is not possible for punk bands especially in Cebu. They would then bring the newly bought records home, listen to it and sepra the whole album. Soon they learned to play them live.
One day, the rich kid decided to write their own punk songs. The band mates simply obliged. So they did.
They played and they played and they played for free.
After a while, the rich kid and his family decided to migrate to America. So the rich kid left his bandmates. And he formed another band there. He got good gigs and made some cash too.
Meanwhile, his bandmates back in Cebu, not being able to put the band back decided to look for a day job. In one interview, the HR manager asked ,"So you have a band? What made you decide to look for a job?"
The band member answered ,"mag tigum ko ug kwarta sa akong sweldo para naa koy ika-sustento sa akong banda banda."
He didn't get the job.
And they tried to play and they played and they played and they played for free... while the rich kid lives happily ever after.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Music marketing is "niche"
New business ideas can be scary and the marketing option these types would most likely land in is niche marketing. One good friend recently said that new ideas cannot sell. I beg to disagree.
New ideas sell if you are creative enough to find its market. It's not about how smart you are really. It's about how daring you are to succeed (or even fail).
Entrepreneurs are creative people (not always in the artistic sense) who can transform garbage into a treasure to an initial few. This creative ability can be applied to music.
If you are a musician in a rock 'n' roll band, stay close in working with the first 10 fans you have and keep them happy. Each of these 10 will soon give you another 10 and all of a sudden you get 100 fans in a day and then another 1000 the next day.
The next thing you know, that treasure becomes a trend.
Did I mention that I'm a sucker for wise quotes? While browsing webpages matching up an industry for a business I'm putting up, I found this - creativity leads to niches, and niches lead to riches.
Of course it doesn't always happen that way but the point is that small business ideas require community building. Hence it needs a niche. Music is communal. Its entrepreneurial platform shouldn't be any different. Music marketing is niche marketing.
New ideas sell if you are creative enough to find its market. It's not about how smart you are really. It's about how daring you are to succeed (or even fail).
Entrepreneurs are creative people (not always in the artistic sense) who can transform garbage into a treasure to an initial few. This creative ability can be applied to music.
If you are a musician in a rock 'n' roll band, stay close in working with the first 10 fans you have and keep them happy. Each of these 10 will soon give you another 10 and all of a sudden you get 100 fans in a day and then another 1000 the next day.
The next thing you know, that treasure becomes a trend.
Did I mention that I'm a sucker for wise quotes? While browsing webpages matching up an industry for a business I'm putting up, I found this - creativity leads to niches, and niches lead to riches.
Of course it doesn't always happen that way but the point is that small business ideas require community building. Hence it needs a niche. Music is communal. Its entrepreneurial platform shouldn't be any different. Music marketing is niche marketing.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
The plummeting catalogs
Although this had already been calculated, nobody knew exactly when the plummet of the music catalogs will happen.
Just recently I happen to chat with an editor-in-chief of a prominent Manila publication who shared his observations on how the music sector in the capital is doing. He outlined some specifics that lead to the understanding of the music industry and that the long anticipated big dive is finally happening and fast.
While the major labels are still hopelessly panicking to save their boats, music downloads had never been so legit and literally free as it is now. Ironic in The Philippines where copyright concerns are often shelved and ignored.
Thanks to digital technology...
The once-indie-then-signed-to-a-major-record-deal artists are going indie again.
The signed artists are going indie this time.
The big stars are not as big as they once were (unless you belong to the couch people who spend most of their days at home watching noon time shows daily then you won't agree with me).
Some labels settled for a distribution deal but eventually lost because the indies still own the rights to their songs.
Other labels tried the in-house talent management approach where they employ "band managers" to, well, manage a band. But they're missing the point. A band manager is not a business partner. Well it is but he/she is also the Nth band member... ergo the band's best friend. How can you build a best friend when it all started as a business?
Not so long ago, major labels refuse to sign indie bands because they think niche marketing is too small for their bank account. But nowadays the public is smarter, tasteful, and sophisticated and unlike a decade ago, the regular pinoy can now breathe through music by Up Dharma Down, Daydream Cycle, Sheila and the Insects, and the likes.
Contrary to the labels' old school and stubborn mindset, good music cannot be exclusive to typically structured pop songs. Nothing against the genre. It's just been misconstrued too often and dangerously misunderstood.
When was the last time the major labels signed a band? And if they did recently how good is it?
Things are a-changing... the vision that was foretold is unfolding fast. Today you won't hear labels saying '(band name - and feel free to fill in your band's name in) is good pero masyado lang silang niche'.
Niche marketing is what works these days. Well it's been there long before the indie clout has gone big time but it is only now that it is most appreciated.
The good news is that the indies are staying in their niche because that's exactly how their music is supposed to work. But wait... before we all make the last laugh, let's figure out how music can put food on the table first.
And if I am right about this...
Just recently I happen to chat with an editor-in-chief of a prominent Manila publication who shared his observations on how the music sector in the capital is doing. He outlined some specifics that lead to the understanding of the music industry and that the long anticipated big dive is finally happening and fast.
While the major labels are still hopelessly panicking to save their boats, music downloads had never been so legit and literally free as it is now. Ironic in The Philippines where copyright concerns are often shelved and ignored.
Thanks to digital technology...
The once-indie-then-signed-to-a-major-record-deal artists are going indie again.
The signed artists are going indie this time.
The big stars are not as big as they once were (unless you belong to the couch people who spend most of their days at home watching noon time shows daily then you won't agree with me).
Some labels settled for a distribution deal but eventually lost because the indies still own the rights to their songs.
Other labels tried the in-house talent management approach where they employ "band managers" to, well, manage a band. But they're missing the point. A band manager is not a business partner. Well it is but he/she is also the Nth band member... ergo the band's best friend. How can you build a best friend when it all started as a business?
Not so long ago, major labels refuse to sign indie bands because they think niche marketing is too small for their bank account. But nowadays the public is smarter, tasteful, and sophisticated and unlike a decade ago, the regular pinoy can now breathe through music by Up Dharma Down, Daydream Cycle, Sheila and the Insects, and the likes.
Contrary to the labels' old school and stubborn mindset, good music cannot be exclusive to typically structured pop songs. Nothing against the genre. It's just been misconstrued too often and dangerously misunderstood.
When was the last time the major labels signed a band? And if they did recently how good is it?
Things are a-changing... the vision that was foretold is unfolding fast. Today you won't hear labels saying '(band name - and feel free to fill in your band's name in) is good pero masyado lang silang niche'.
Niche marketing is what works these days. Well it's been there long before the indie clout has gone big time but it is only now that it is most appreciated.
The good news is that the indies are staying in their niche because that's exactly how their music is supposed to work. But wait... before we all make the last laugh, let's figure out how music can put food on the table first.
And if I am right about this...
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Cattski's session (finally)
I was given the privilege to join a listening session for Cattski's 3rd album last Friday.It's about time.
Months ago, she made me listen to the rough mixes particularly 'Blunder' and 'Hero'. The latter turned out to be my personal favorite while the former is now stuck in my head. I've always wanted to listen to the whole album and waited for this chance to come.
It did come.
Cattski's invitation was I think the perfect opportunity for a getaway. I needed the break from the corporate rut and the invitation was good timing. What transpired that evening is I think Cattski's finest work of art.
It's long overdue yet it's all worth it.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Cupcakes for the good times and the change...
There are plenty of reasons to celebrate.Last January 14, on the way to The Outpost, I thought it's a good time to recognize the show's performance - for staying this long in the music scene.
Here are some of the obvious.
1. After 8 years since the Dais, Midweek Sessions have finally survived for 3 consecutive years in its new home.
2. Like the Jews without a nation, Midweek Sessions shared the same little pains and successes and reemerged.
3. It's the first Midweek Sessions of the year.
4. Midweek's January Session showcases the Best of 2008.
Hmmm...the above mentioned should be more than enough. So on the way to The Outpost, I thought and asked Sam for an idea. She fueled in and suggested for cupcakes and binggala (thanks to Archie Uy for the wonderful photos).
Tadaaaaa!!!
There are plenty of reasons to celebrate.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Midweek Sessions Best for 2009
Q: How do you put an elephant in a refrigerator in 3 moves?
They say cracking a joke is no joke and in fact is a serious business. But I tell you, it’s easier to crack a joke (sometimes) than to put together a list of Midweek Sessions’ cream of the crop.
In the last couple of months last year, I had difficulty in completing this task. Music artists are volatile. They easily come and go. They are also playful and with that nature can be “irresponsible” in so many ways – I guess the word is childlike.
So there I was in the drafting board making that list of the best bands that played in Midweek Sessions since its comeback in 2007. I came up with about 12 in my personal roster.
Whew!
Okay. Now what?
So I thought I’d review the Midweek Sessions guidelines and after a time I still couldn’t get my choices right. These 12 bands are all good. Darn it! They’re all good.
But I had to make a choice. I made a promise, did I not? I made a promise and this is one part of that.
Oh well… in as much as I want to get all 12 to play, it’s not possible and you just can’t please everyone in one sitting. I had to chop the list down in half. Of course, this isn’t the end of it. The rest of the 12 can still play – that I can guarantee.
Wait... I'm not done yet. So how do you put an elephant in a refrigerator in 3 moves?
A: Open the door, put the elephant in, then close it back.
Hahahahahahaha... you probably heard this one already. Cheers and belated Happy New Year everyone!
They say cracking a joke is no joke and in fact is a serious business. But I tell you, it’s easier to crack a joke (sometimes) than to put together a list of Midweek Sessions’ cream of the crop.
In the last couple of months last year, I had difficulty in completing this task. Music artists are volatile. They easily come and go. They are also playful and with that nature can be “irresponsible” in so many ways – I guess the word is childlike.
So there I was in the drafting board making that list of the best bands that played in Midweek Sessions since its comeback in 2007. I came up with about 12 in my personal roster.
Whew!
Okay. Now what?
So I thought I’d review the Midweek Sessions guidelines and after a time I still couldn’t get my choices right. These 12 bands are all good. Darn it! They’re all good.
But I had to make a choice. I made a promise, did I not? I made a promise and this is one part of that.
Oh well… in as much as I want to get all 12 to play, it’s not possible and you just can’t please everyone in one sitting. I had to chop the list down in half. Of course, this isn’t the end of it. The rest of the 12 can still play – that I can guarantee.
Wait... I'm not done yet. So how do you put an elephant in a refrigerator in 3 moves?
A: Open the door, put the elephant in, then close it back.
Hahahahahahaha... you probably heard this one already. Cheers and belated Happy New Year everyone!
Monday, October 29, 2007
The Current Setting (2007)
Originally published on Oct. 29, 2007 at 4:32 AM in Midweek Sessions
I'd like to start off by saying that there are so many great individual talents and good bands out there. Some of the bands that I want to note here are The Line Divides, Missing Filemon, Aggressive Audio to name a few. But I know there are still some that are just lurking beneath the surface. There's no doubt about that. To discover them is another story.
For example, one of our systems administrator in the office plays really good guitar. The only sad note is that he refuses to play on stage. I tried encouraging him but in the end, I get the same response. He defends by saying that it's for his own consumption - whatever that means.
I respect his preference but I really think talent should be exposed. At least, that's what I hope to believe. I mean, why would you bother yourself with baffling tablatures if you don’t want to bring yourself to the open? But then one can only flaunt it if the talented allows himself to.
In another occasion, a friend approached me and asked what I’ve been busy about lately. I knew he was referring to my current musical pursuits. There’s nothing to tell except for my corporate deliverables and I wasn’t sure if he’d be interested in that.
The conversation has lead to his ranting of what he observed about the music scene today. He said that he can’t find bands that really stand out nowadays. “Ambot. Ambot lang. Murag wala gyuy banda nga makaingon ka nga kuyaw gyud,” he said. To some, extent maybe he is telling the truth.
My observation is that not many bands, especially in our local community have that level of confidence that could bring them up to a certain degree of challenge. Many bands see things the way media presented it to them. And media made it look so easy.
In as much as I want to help in any way I can, I can only do so much. There will always be pros and cons. There will always be hitches. But the goal should stay the same. What we should look more are the benefits of every good music we write.
I love bands and I love music very much. Now I see that there is a need and chance to act as one of the vehicles to get some musical engines running (again). I hope to get my music engine running as well. I hope to inspire bands again. But I cannot do this alone. So please help me discover them.
I'd like to start off by saying that there are so many great individual talents and good bands out there. Some of the bands that I want to note here are The Line Divides, Missing Filemon, Aggressive Audio to name a few. But I know there are still some that are just lurking beneath the surface. There's no doubt about that. To discover them is another story.
For example, one of our systems administrator in the office plays really good guitar. The only sad note is that he refuses to play on stage. I tried encouraging him but in the end, I get the same response. He defends by saying that it's for his own consumption - whatever that means.
I respect his preference but I really think talent should be exposed. At least, that's what I hope to believe. I mean, why would you bother yourself with baffling tablatures if you don’t want to bring yourself to the open? But then one can only flaunt it if the talented allows himself to.
In another occasion, a friend approached me and asked what I’ve been busy about lately. I knew he was referring to my current musical pursuits. There’s nothing to tell except for my corporate deliverables and I wasn’t sure if he’d be interested in that.
The conversation has lead to his ranting of what he observed about the music scene today. He said that he can’t find bands that really stand out nowadays. “Ambot. Ambot lang. Murag wala gyuy banda nga makaingon ka nga kuyaw gyud,” he said. To some, extent maybe he is telling the truth.
My observation is that not many bands, especially in our local community have that level of confidence that could bring them up to a certain degree of challenge. Many bands see things the way media presented it to them. And media made it look so easy.
In as much as I want to help in any way I can, I can only do so much. There will always be pros and cons. There will always be hitches. But the goal should stay the same. What we should look more are the benefits of every good music we write.
I love bands and I love music very much. Now I see that there is a need and chance to act as one of the vehicles to get some musical engines running (again). I hope to get my music engine running as well. I hope to inspire bands again. But I cannot do this alone. So please help me discover them.
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