Tag: music

Ben&Ben to launch international single “Doors” via YouTube Live event

Award-winning, nine-piece collective Ben&Ben is set to release their stunning new single “Doors” on Thursday, April 16 through Sony Music.

To celebrate the release, the dynamic young act will host a special YouTube Live event on Saturday, April 18 on the band’s YouTube channel to raise funds for the COVID-19 response in the Philippines.

Fans across the world can tune in from 7:00pm GMT + 8 (9:00pm AEST/7:00am EST/12:00pm BST) to see the acclaimed nine-piece perform “Doors” alongside other tracks from their certified Platinum and best-selling 2019 debut album, LIMASAWA STREET, including recently released “Fall”.

Each member of the band will connect from their respective homes to stream the performance in their unique signature 3 x 3 format. After the event, the live stream will continue to be available on YouTube as a video on demand.

Ben&Ben explains:

“Doors” is one of the most personal songs that we’ve written. It’s about passive-aggressiveness, how it can ruin relationships, and how anyone can be on either the sending or receiving end of it. So much of the hurt in the world now, much of which we all experience daily as well, is caused by people not speaking what is really on their minds… We drew on our emotions on these topics to craft the melodies, riffs, beats, and textures of the song. It was done so quickly; one day we were jamming the song, and a few days after we already had the track on record. Everyone just performed their most raw and pure feelings to make the arrangement.”

“YouTube is proud to collaborate with Sony to enable Ben&Ben’s live streaming event which aims to create a donation drive for COVID-19 response efforts. It is uplifting to see the power of music and Filipinos’ spirit of bayanihan coming together to lend a helping hand during this increasingly challenging time. We hope that Ben&Ben’s event does not just help raise funds but inspire Filipinos to get through difficult moments through music,” said Bernadette Nacario, Country Director, Google Philippines.

“Doors” is mixed by Grammy Award-winning engineer Miles Walker (Beyonce, Usher, Coldplay, Rihanna) and mastered by Leon Zervos (P!nk, Maroon 5, Beastie Boys, Willy Nelson).

About the band

Ben&Ben is currently one of the most-streamed Filipino artists with dedicated fan bases across the world. To date, the fast-rising act has amassed more than 500 million streams on Spotify, over 3 million monthly listeners, and charted on the platform’s Top 50 with 9 songs simultaneously. They entered the Billboard Social 50 Chart, a popularity chart ranking the most active musical artists on the world’s leading social networking services, just two weeks ago and have already climbed to #29, ahead of Cardi B (#31) and Doja Cat (#32).

Ben&Ben consists of brothers Paolo Benjamin and Miguel Benjamin on acoustic guitars and vocals, Poch Barretto on electric guitar, Jam Villanueva on drums, Agnes Reoma on bass, Patricia Lasaten on keyboards, Toni Munoz and Andrew de Pano on percussions, and Keifer Cabugao on violin. Combining folk and indie music with pop sensibilities, they have redefined the mainstream music lane with a sound that bridges the musical traditions of the past with a contemporary touch. And this is what sets them apart from their peers: Ben&Ben creates a blueprint that makes intimacy feel big and expansive.

Last month, Ben&Ben joined 14 artists across Asia in the remake of Taiwanese superstar Eric Chou’s original track “Forever Beautiful,” as part of their efforts to express solidarity and support for those affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. On March 27, they held a Facebook Live event for their COVID-19 donation site (www.puhon.ph), which garnered 2.2M views in the first 24 hours, surpassing the Facebook Live statistics of Latin Superstars Alejandro Sanz and Juanes. The donation site was created by Ben&Ben, Sony Music Philippines and other partners, with inspiring stories and messages of encouragement to frontliners. Puhon is a beautiful Visayan (Philippine dialect) word that means “hopefully” and is a famous lyric of Ben&Ben.

Ben&Ben was invited to perform at Hong Kong’s Clockenflap Music & Arts Festival 2019 and Austin’s South by Southwest Music Festival 2020, and has graced Singapore’s Music Matters and Manila’s Wanderland Music & Arts Festival 2018 – where they co-headlined with international acts such as Lauv, Jhené Aiko, Kodaline and Daniel Caesar. In previous years, the prolific ensemble has performed in arenas and large-scale venues, most notably the Philippine Arena with a maximum capacity of 55,000, and other prominent events held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and the MOA arena – both with more than 15,000 attendees.

With diverse musical influences that include The Carpenters, Fleetwood Mac, Simon and Garfunkel, Elton John, Bee Gees, Radwimps, Laura Marling, Bon Iver, Tom Misch, and Dave Matthews Band, to name a few, their songs paint an indelible portrait of a generation that knows their worth despite the brokenness inside, creating a connection between the personal and the universal.

Ben&Ben will continue to release music throughout 2020 and plan to tour their incredible live set again when possible.

Image and details provided by Sony Music Philippines in a recent press release.

Gloc-9 tops YouTube trending chart with “Halik” and 24 bars rap challenge

After deciding to go the independent route with Asintada, a management and production team headed by his wife Thea Gomez Pollisco, Gloc-9 sets the table for music projects that strike a balance between uncompromised vision and crossover appeal.

The acclaimed hip-hop figure has released new singles that create uplifting artistic statements through socially relevant songs. “Sampaguita,” his latest collaboration with accomplished young singer-songwriter Juan Karlos Labajo, proved to be as successful as his previous classic hits, smashing out of the gate with more than a million views in less than a month.

“When Gloc-9 decided to become independent, he made it clear to work on projects that matter to him on a personal level, and at the same time, promote awareness on the plight of the underprivileged Filipinos through his musical platform,” Thea reveals in a statement.

To their advantage, the recent releases garnered positive reception from music fans. The music icon’s recent performance with fellow rapper and songwriter Flow G on Wish 107.5 bus debuted at No. 1 on YouTube’s trending videos chart, reaping more than 6 million views as of today’s update. His captivating performance of “Halik” currently sits inside the video streaming chart’s Top 20 for a third week in a row—a blockbuster feat that adds value to his growing legacy as a successful hip-hop artist approaching his third decade in the game.

Another video of Gloc-9 is also making rounds on YouTube’s trending videos chart. His 24 bars rap challenge peaked at No. 4 with more than a million views in less than a week of its release. Taking dexterity to the next level, the award-winning rapper impressed listeners with a soul-baring wordplay over a Flip D beat.

“Gloc-9 proves that even with challenges that stem from his newfound DIY leanings, there are solutions to impart your passion, and by using the online platform, the local rap and hip-hop music industry is still reaching out to the fans and followers, providing entertainment and positivity in a time of uncertainty,” Asintada’s Thea Gomez Pollisco shares. “This goes to prove what Gloc-9 has always been saying: inspiration and learning can come from all directions.”

At present, the prolific artist is actively involved in raising funds for both the frontliners and the urban poor communities through various charitable institutions and artist initiatives. He is also set to release a bunch of new singles and collaborations soon under his own management and production outfit, Asintada—which is home to several music acts such as Shanti Dope, JKris, Lirah, and Sandiwa.

Details and image provided in a recent press release.

We Got drops Raymund Marasigan-produced single “Lihim Na Pagtingin”

Eight-piece reggae collective We Got brings some island-loving vibe in the time of social distancing with its debut single, “Lihim Na Pagtingin.”

Serenading music enthusiasts with a mix of steady, groovy beat and a horn section straight from a summer retreat, the laid-back tune pertains to two individuals who have been friends for the longest time, and are secretly in love with each other.

“Finally, courage took over and they finally let their feelings out,” vocalist and guitarist Mack de la Cruz said in a statement. “Love wins.”

We Got’s latest song is produced by Raymund Marasigan, a veteran musician, multi-instrumentalist and overall record producer, who is part of several other bands and projects, including The Eraserheads, Sandwich, Pedicab, Cambio, Assembly Generals, Ultra Combo, Basement Lung, and Squid9.

“Sir Raymund Marasigan is a legendary icon of our generation,” de la Cruz added. “Working with him is even beyond our imagination. He’s very professional, patient, cool, innovative and has a very wild and crazy mind! His ideas are simply out of this world (in a very good way). He never looked down on us. He never failed to boost our confidence, taught so many things which we surely value so much.”

Marasigan returned the favor by praising the band’s work ethic. “We Got is a family. Working with them is like going to a family excursion at the beach especially when they bring delicious home cooked meals to pre-production and recording. And we worked on capturing that vibe.”

“Lihim Na Pagtingin” was mixed and mastered at Sunny Sound Studios in Cubao.

About the band

We Got is an eight-piece pop/reggae band comprised of Mack Dela Cruz on vocals and guitars, Makoy Quebral on rhythm guitars and backup vocals, Nam Reput on bass, CJ Bernardo on percussions, Thoper Laroco on drums, Melvin Bernardo on saxophone, Anthony “Tonton” Otoc on trumphet, John Rafael Morales on trombone.

The eclectic band is managed by Soupstar Entertainment Inc., joining a formidable roster of music acts such as 6cyclemind, Teeth, Imago, Sandwich, Pedicab, Moonstar88, Ultra Combo, Gracenote, Banda ni Kleggy, Better Days, the vowels they orbit, and Kurei.

We Got is signed to Sony Music Entertainment Philippines, record label of The Eraserheads, 6cyclemind, Ben&Ben, SB19, syd hartha, Alex Bruce, Nathan & Mercury, Zelijah, the vowels they orbit, and many more exciting and dynamic acts.

“Lihim Na Pagtingin” is now available on Spotify and other music streaming/download platforms worldwide.

Details and image provided by Sony Music in a recent press release.

6cyclemind and Sony Music PH ink covers project

In an effort to show appreciation to the fans who have been through their musical journey, 6cyclemind recently teamed up with Sony Music Philippines for Sige I-Cover Mo Lang Project.

The initiative, which was supposed to be an independent project, encouraged fans to submit covers of their favorite songs from the band’s catalog.

“Throughout our career, we have been touring different parts of the country,” vocalist Tutti Caringal said. “We are lucky to witness how our audience, even from far flung areas, sing our songs with us. This is indeed a very magical feeling. Online, we can also view our fans cover our songs. This makes us feel that, somehow, through our music, we have touched their lives. This is the reason why we have decided to do this project.”

With number one singles, best-selling albums, and sold-out shows, 6cyclemind continues to gain foothold in the local music industry. Their latest project is a testament to their growing and respectable discography, a proof of their legacy as a band known for their heartfelt and rousing anthems.  

Fan involvement

The five-piece pop-rock act did not set some specific criteria for the fan submissions, and accepted all entries—whether phone recordings, changed tempo or genre.

6cyclemind lead guitarist Herbert Hernandez added, “We gave them the freedom to interpret the song of their choice. While screening the entries, we followed our gut feel and looked for the cover that will move us. There were many entries that we really liked. It was difficult for the band to eliminate the other submissions because we had to limit it to just 3. Part 2, perhaps?”

2020 version of “Biglaan”

From the pool of submissions, Bianca’s stripped-down version of “Biglaan” stood out the most. It earned a spot as one of the first among the three winners of the all-covers record. “Whenever I want to cover songs, I usually just search for the chords and let myself feel the music,” the budding artist said. “I was pretty melancholic during these times so my general approach was to make the song softer and downcast which is what I usually do to songs I usually sing.”

According to Bianca, the project “was such a great platform to thank the band’s fans and also give opportunities to artists” like her.

The sixteen-year-old singer-songwriter recorded the song at Backdoor Recording Studio, and it was produced by 6cyclemind.

Bianca’s rendition of “Biglaan” is now available on various music streaming/download platforms worldwide.

Details and image provided by Sony Music in a recent press release.

Barbie Almalbis drops inspirational single “Iyong-iyo”

Following the dreamy single “Comment,” which debuted early this January 2020, Barbie Almalbis continues to perfect her signature, swoony alt-pop sound with incisive introspection on her second single.

“Iyong-iyo,” the latest track off her upcoming fourth studio album, tackles a story of strength, perseverance, and faith amidst insurmountable odds. The melodic pop tune is inspired by how the Tabing Ilog hitmaker’s cook found peace from surrendering everything to God during a very difficult time to bouncing back with another chance at life.

Almalbis recounts:

“This song is about Esperanza ‘Bing-Bing’ Maaño, our cook, who’s been in our family for a long time and even married our driver, Dandy. She suddenly fell very ill last year due to a diabetes complication and her medicines were not working. Needless to say, it was such a troubling time for her and everyone who loved her as her future seemed uncertain. She was brought to the hospital and had to undergo amputation surgery, and she shared that it was during this time that her faith in God became more real. While being wheeled into the operating room, she had many fears but suddenly felt peace as she surrendered everything to God. Thankfully, she had a successful surgery and recovered well, and after months of rehabilitation, she learned to walk again with a prosthetic leg.”

Barbie Almalbis co-wrote “Iyong-iyo” with her partner Martin Honasan, who also shares songwriting credits on previous singles “Comment” and “Tigre.” Bing-Bing’s determination and humility inspired the husband-and-wife tandem to write and produce the song.

Recording of the track was done by sound engineer Magic Montano at Yellow Room Studios, formerly known as Tracks Studios in San Antonio Village, where most of the Barbie’s Cradle albums are made. “We had Nikko Rivera on keyboard, Jonard Bolor on drums, and Rommel dela Cruz on bass,” shares Almalbis about the musicians who contributed significantly in the recording process. “The main rhythm section was recorded live, and we did overdubs for vocals and guitars. I also recorded backing vocals at my home studio.”

Barbie Almalbis’s “Iyong-iyo” is now out on various streaming and digital platforms worldwide via 12 Stone Records. It’s the second single off her as-yet-untitled album to be released this year.

Details and image provided in a recent press release.

Ben&Ben joins Eric Chou and other Sony Music Asia artists on “Forever Beautiful”

Ben&Ben takes part in a regional collaboration expressing solidarity and support for those affected by the outbreak of iCOVID-19 Coronavirus.

The folk-pop collective joins Sony Music artists across Asia in delivering a spectacular take on Taiwanese superstar Eric Chou’s original track “Forever Beautiful.”

Featuring 15 artists from nine countries across Asia singing in both Chinese and English, including Chou himself, the collaborative remake titled “Forever Beautiful: All for One Version” conveys an important message through these touching lyrics: we may speak and sing in different languages and represent the many ethnicities and cultures of Asia, but we are all united with solidarity and support. In these challenging times, music can bring hope and peace along with the message of love and compassion.

“In this time of fear and uncertainty, it is important to remind people that they are not alone and that even the most dreadful things give way to new beginnings,” shares Ben&Ben vocalist and guitarist Paolo Benjamin. “It was cool to do this project with some of the most talented and generous artists across Asia.”

Set to make their US debut at the annual South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas, Ben&Ben is one of the most successful Asian acts in the region— breaking records in the country with 9 songs simultaneously on the Spotify Philippines’ Top 50 chart. Their current single “Sa Susunod na Habang Buhay” recently shot straight to number one with a million streams on the aforementioned platform, within 2 days of release.

The nine-piece act represents the Philippines as part of the vibrant and diverse roster of Sony Music Asia featured in “Forever Beautiful: All for One Version,” including Eric Chou (the original singer/songwriter) and singer Kelly Cheng from Taiwan; Wafa, a member from Bahiyya Haneesa (an acapella group), and R&B-pop singer NYK from Malaysia; music acts Benjamin Kheng, Narelle, and Sezairi from Singapore; HÀ LÊ, a vocalist from Vietnam; singer-songwriter and producer E.viewz from South Korea; singer Fatin from Indonesia; singer-songwriter Jocelyn C from Beijing; and artists Phil Lam, Jason Chan, and Cath Wong from Hong Kong.

“Forever Beautiful: All for One Version” is now available globally on all streaming and digital platforms through Sony Music Taiwan. Proceeds from this song will be donated to relief efforts by 韓紅愛心慈善基金會 (Han Hong Love Charity Foundation) for those affected by the outbreak of iCOVID-19 Coronavirus. 

Details and image provided in a recent press release.

Doja Cat’s “Say So” earworms its way to global viral prominence

With its effervescent disco sheen, attention-grabbing chorus, and inescapable vibe, Doja Cat’s “Say So” is shaping up to be a global smash.

The song currently sits at number 32 on Spotify Philippines Viral 50 and has climbed steadily on the Billboard Hot 100 for more than a month since its debut. In a short period of time, it has reached more than a hundred million streams worldwide, becoming Doja Cat’s biggest hit on Spotify.

The song’s breakthrough could be attributed in part to its success on video-sharing social networking platform, TikTok, where it inspired various dance challenges from top Hollywood celebrities and social media influencers.

Fashion and entertainment magazine Nylon explains how the hip-hop/R&B star’s viral breakout made its way into the consciousness of the short-form video app: “In retrospect, Say So was destined to be a great TikTok fodder: the irresistible disco beat plus sassy lyrics which translate well into easy-to-learn dance moves,” writer Steffanee Wang shares. “At this point, it’s fair to say that literally everyone has done the challenge, including James Charles and a girl on like, 20-foot stilts.”

Due to the song’s massive success on the platform, Doja Cat, along with Tyra Banks, recently headlined TikTok’s Black Creators Summit, where she capped off the event with a performance of her current dance craze.

Here in the Philippines, the American rapper, singer and producer’s latest chart-topper is also gaining traction on the aforementioned platform. Singer-actor Iñigo Pascual, ABS-CBN teen star Alexa Ilacad, and G-Force choreographer Yanyan De Jesus recently hopped on the bandwagon with their take on “Say So,” which individually went viral on the day of its release.

AC Bonifacio, another celebrity influencer based in Manila, has recently uploaded a teaser of her upcoming dance cover on various social media platforms. The young multimedia star is set to debut her version of the Doja Cat hit on February 27, Thursday.

And then there’s Filipina YouTube star Niana Guerrero racking up 397,000 likes on TikTok for her bubbly and infectious lip-sync and dance performance of the newest Doja Cat single. This clearly reflects Doja Cat’s rising profile in the country, reaping the rewards of this generation’s preference for meme-ready songs that appeal to youth and online culture sensibilities.

The highly anticipated music video of “Say So” will have its worldwide premiere on YouTube soon. The song is now available on Spotify and other music streaming/download platforms worldwide.

Image and details provided in a recent press release.

Upcoming Singapore electro-pop/R&B band “In the Now” drops debut single with Umami Records

Upcoming Singapore Electro-pop/R&B band IN THE NOW drops their debut release via Umami Records, “Fool” on Friday, 28 February 2020.

 “Fool” is a song about unrequited love, where our hero is in denial, constantly clinging to the hope that one day the subject of his infatuation will change her mind, even though he knows he should move on. Layers of dark melancholic synths and dreamy electronic pads build into a heartfelt chorus, and when words are not enough, culminates in an unexpected drop. Topped off with a sprinkling of trap and future bass elements, the innovative production on this cleverly crafted track entices the ears with something special.

 “I wrote this song hoping it would touch others who relate to the same heartbreak I felt”, shares Alex of IN THE NOW. “We wanted the song to sound really different from what we normally do”, said Dan, the producer of the group, “we experimented with many different versions of the drop before we got something we were all happy with, bringing together the right amount of contrast and energetic release.”

A music video directed and produced by Singapore creative collective YungTauFoo and Homies accompanies the release of this single.

IN THE NOW are four teenage friends and schoolmates from Singapore comprised of producer and vocalist Dan Rafael, and vocalists Akmal Hussein, Rahmat Damansari and Alex Gryffin. They are currently working on an EP of 6 songs to be released in 2020, written and produced by themselves, whilst also completing their tertiary education.

“Fool” by IN THE NOW will be available everywhere from Friday, 28 February 2020 at this link.

Filipina rapper Alex Bruce teams up with BTS collaborator August Rigo on “Go Crazy”

Here’s another upbeat jam that embraces a more eclectic sound. Alex Bruce’s second single “Go Crazy” under Sony Music Philippines is a collaboration with Filipino-Canadian songwriter and producer August Rigo, the other half of the songwriting duo behind BTS’s worldwide smash “Black Swan.”

The sophomore track takes listeners to the Filipina rapper’s musical journey and the struggles that she has to overcome in her bid to discover a bigger world outside of dreams and opportunities. “The song is all about me dreaming big,” the young talent reveals in a statement. “It’s also about my vision of how the world will interact with me and my music. Literally, it’s about pushing through my blueprint and perspectives, no matter how hard it is.”

Having written or produced songs for Justin Bieber, One Direction, Kehlani, and BTS to name a few, Rigo takes pride in being part of Alex Bruce’s upcoming release. The hitmaker who co-wrote three tracks on Justin Bieber’s multi-platinum album, My World 2.0 and brought a distinct flavor to several pop, R&B, and hip-hop releases of the last decade, once again enlisted his fellow songwriter and producer Vince Nantes to come up with a potential hit that appeals specifically to Bruce’s charismatic persona.

“My management and I had been speaking to Sony Music’s Roslyn Pineda about possibly working together, and they thought that Alex and I would be a great fit,” Rigo shares about how he ended up writing for the rap sensation. “I wanted to make sure to capture the energy and vibe of Alex’s current music because I really loved what they had going on. I just wanted to incorporate some of my vibes with hers to create something real fresh and new but still true to her and what she has built thus far.”  

Alex returns the favor by expressing how truly honored she is working with the musician for the global stars. “Actually, I didn’t know him at first, until I was introduced to his body of work. I was a big fan of those artists he worked with. I remember the first time I chatted with him over Skype, and got amazed after finding out how down to earth this person is. He’s so kind, accommodating, and friendly despite his accomplishments. He just unlocked a new version of me.”

Bruce previously released “Pull It Off,” her first single under Sony Music Philippines. It peaked at number 3 on Wave 89.1’s weekly countdown, setting the record for the youngest female artist to chart in the R&B/hip-hop radio station’s history.

Alex Bruce’s latest single “Go Crazy” is now available on Spotify and other music streaming/download platforms worldwide.

Image and details provided in a recent press release.

Rick Price and Morissette put a new spin on the classic ballad “Heaven Knows”

Australian singer-songwriter and producer Rick Price teams up with Filipina pop sensation Morissette on the 2020 version of “Heaven Knows.”

Released on Valentine’s day, the classic ballad is rearranged with a fuller sound and a more contemporary touch. “The original recording of Heaven Knows is basically piano and voice only,” the award-winning Rick Price discloses. “The new version is a duet and has a full band added with lush strings and background vocals. It was such a delight to record and I can’t wait for you to hear it.”

Morissette, on the other hand, gave the previous iteration a different spin with her adept and powerful vocals. The Asia’s Phoenix, who happens to be a Wish 107.5 Hall of Fame awardee, stayed true to the song’s enduring message of romantic longing, while making sure to deliver a transcendent performance. “Working on this track, RP and I kind of agreed that we didn’t want to make the verses predictable, but to keep the chorus singable and heartfelt,” the Akin Ka Na Lang songstress shares. “He also allowed me to put my own flavor and twists into the melodies.”

Pairing made in heaven

After working with Asia’s songbird Regine Velasquez on the remake of “Nothing Can Stop Us Now,” Rick Price returns with a lovely duet featuring one of the biggest music stars in the country, Morissette. The collaboration, according to Rick, was indeed monumental not only because it pays tribute to one of the biggest hits of his career, but also gives him a chance to revisit the song with a talented singer who knows how to interpret the material with precise emotional heft. “Thankfully my record label Sony Music was able to put me in touch with Morissette,” the multi-platinum recording star gushes. “I fell in love with her voice. She made me cry: truly the voice of an angel. Morissette is a wonderfully talented artist and a delight to work with.”

The young diva shares the same sentiment on collaborating with Rick Price. According to Morrisette, “Getting to work with an international music icon such as Rick Price is already such an honor, and with a song that I didn’t only grow up to but should continually be passed on through generations. This project inspires and challenges me to appreciate and do different types of music.”

A classic love anthem

“Heaven Knows” was originally released in 1992, and peaked at #6 on ARIA Singles Chart. In the Philippines, the beloved Rick Price anthem became a staple adult contemporary smash with longevity that spans for more than 25 years. Resonating with music fans from opposite sides of the generation spectrum, young and old, the chart-topping tune is perfect for the season of love and romance this month.

Even Rick Price himself has no idea why the song continues to make a mark up to the present day. “It’s hard to say why this song has stayed around for so long. It just seemed to strike a chord with so many people. I imagine almost every human being experiences heart break and loss at some point in their life and it’s comforting to know we are not alone in that process.”

The 2020 version of “Heaven Knows” is available now on Spotify and all music streaming and download platforms worldwide via Sony Music.

Image and details provided in a recent press release.