PHL Lifestyle News

Promising hip-hop quartet VVS Collective pays tribute to the women of the countryside whose distinct looks, effortless grace, and captivating intelligence redefine conventional standards of beauty. On their lilting anthem “Probinsyana,” the rap crew delivers a romantic serenade for every ‘country’ lass who took their breath away in recent years.

“Probinsyana is a feel-good track which many Filipinos can relate to,” the group describes the appeal of their latest single. “It’s about searching and pursuing that dream girl who lives in the suburbs or the province. It expounds on the qualities of a province girl who’s simple yet has everything you’re looking for in a girl. With the thousands of islands that the Philippines has, the track will surely transcend to all Probinsyanas all over the country.” What makes it extra special is their attempt to take a stand against urbanite snobbery and Manila-centrism in a song that celebrates women of all kinds, regardless of their geographical and social background.

Watch: https://VVSCollective.lnk.to/Probinsyana_MV

As Gabrang puts it, “let’s face it: there’s prejudice here in Manila towards Bisaya/Probinsyano. We see people make fun of them, and sometimes, they’re treated as inferior because of the way they talk, their skin color, and their background. Probinsyana is our way to boost their confidence, and celebrate their inner beauty and captivating uniqueness. I hope it inspires them to look things differently and be proud of who they are and where they come from.” If the sparkly, pop-infused single is any indication, VVS Collective proves that they are primed for mainstream crossover—thanks to their incredible ear for hooks and melodies, and the lyrical sincerity that they effortlessly bring to the table.

King Promdi, who is part of the hip-hop group, produced the track and incorporated a sticky, ear-candy of a chorus deserving of a viral TikTok dance. The result is a summer jam for all seasons whose catchiness is hard to ignore.

Ace Banzuelo has come a long way from being a fresh-faced phenom who can write and produce emotional pop tunes from his bedroom. His songs “Malayo” and “Himala” have racked up more than 8 million streams on all digital music platforms combined, and broke big on several crossover playlists in the Philippines and the rest of Asia. Working his way slowly but surely to mainstream ubiquity, the young singer-songwriter is shaping up to be a compelling presence in the local music scene—thanks to his songwriting gift and production skillset.

Today, the alt-pop wunderkind is shifting gears with the music video release of “Alive”—his latest single under Sony Music Philippines. Confidently grooving to the retro-modern vibe of the track, Ace sheds his reclusive persona for a contemporary pop star character who knows how to charm the dance floor effortlessly. This is Ace like you’ve never seen or heard before: a big ball of energy with an abundance of infectious hooks and melodic pop smarts, and a P-Pop sensation capable of delivering adorable moments on screen.

The music video, which was helmed by budding director and 3D artist Reika and choreographed by one of the Philippine All Star’s founders, Lerma Diaz, uncover a fascination with bright, velvety colors and attention-grabbing visual designs. According to Ace, who did the art direction himself, the filming was exceptionally fun with a lot of young creatives having that fire in them, translating his vision into a game-changing end product. “We are going for heavier aesthetics that go well with my dream and vision for the dance song. I want it to be presented as the happiest song we deserve right now. I’m confident that we’ve delivered that in the music video as well.”

Written and produced by Ace himself, “Alive” is in itself, a refreshing diversion from his previous releases. It marks a noteworthy shift to a shinier, more club-oriented electronic pop music that has roots in K-Pop, early 2000s bubblegum pop, hip-hop, funk and ‘70s disco.

“The brand-new song is a disco pop dance track that builds up to the reminiscence of the classic Manila Sound groove and bilingualism,” Ace adds. “The production is a mix of modern and retro textures, funky guitar fills, synthesizers, horns—and yes, disco elements. I also produced it with so many vocal layers to achieve this crowd effect of call-and-response for the pre-chorus and other parts as well. I also added a rap verse in my approach of arranging the song.”

The dancey bop was written overnight somewhere in early January 2021 when the idea of creating a disco-influenced pop/dance banger, came to play. “All I’m trying to achieve is actually expressing my true self and what I really want to do,” the promising hitmaker shares. “Yes, I write ballads, love songs, and will still release love songs but I do feel like sticking to the ballad formula to succeed in the local scene can be put aside for now.”

“Alive” is out now on all digital music platforms via Sony Music Philippines. Watch the music video here.

Prolific rapper Kiyo finds value in celebrating the simple joys of living on new single “Harana Sa Sarili”—out today on November 12, Friday via all digital music platforms worldwide.

Waxing poetic about self-worth, the Filipino hip-hop artist expresses gratitude for surviving life’s harshest challenges, and being able to give back to supporters who have been with him throughout his music journey.

“Minsan nakakalimutan natin magpasalamat sa sarili natin, nakakalimutan natin yung mga maliliit na bagay na dapat natin ikatuwa (We rarely thank ourselves and the small things that give us joy),” the Navotas City-born artist said in a statement. “Masaya lang ako na nandito pa ako. Kaya nasulat ko yung kanta na yan (I’m just happy and contented to be here. This spark of life inspired me to write the song).”

Exploring smooth, lo-fi sounds with colorful production, Kiyo thrives in the realm of optimism and earnestness, revealing bits and pieces of his personal life to rousing effect. On “Harana Sa Sarili,” he rises above the clutter with endearingly laid-back energy and sunny disposition, and spits verses that are uniquely in touch with himself.

“Masyado tong bouncy kesa sa mga naunang mas chill ko na tracks (Compared to my previous ‘chill’ tracks, this one has a lot more bounce to it),” Kiyo describes his latest song. “Uplifting yung mood niya pero yung lyrics kabaliktaran (The mood is uplifting, but the words say otherwise).”

“Harana Sa Sarili” will be part of Kiyo’s highly anticipated debut album, Haranasa: Sa’yo at Sa Akin, which is slated to drop on November 26 (Friday) at 12 midnight.

Featuring collaborations with some of his trusted pals in the industry like YZKK, Shortone, and Space Moses—to name a few, the upcoming 15-track record will be accompanied with a free digital concert on the same day.

According to the acclaimed rapper and producer, the new album is confident in its unraveling of his own humanity and sense of time, and the many layers and intricacies that define him. Haranasa: Sa’yo at Sa Akin also functions as an ode to love in its many forms, including but not limited to love for people, friends, family, partner, and self.

With more than 60 million streams on Spotify in his third year as a solo hip-hop artist and countless of landmark inclusions on major hip-hop playlists across various digital platforms, Kiyo is set to break new grounds with the arrival of his debut album to be released soon via Dyecast Ent.

Kiyo’s new single “Harana Sa Sarili” is out now on all streaming platforms worldwide.

The emotional guitar-rock tune serves as the first single off their highly anticipated sophomore EP

It’s always the first cut that turns out to be the deepest, if not the most life-changing. Indie pop-rock outfit the vowels they orbit knows this by heart, and on their comeback single “Una,” waxing poetic about ‘the person that used to be your everything’ sounds more of an emotional cleansing than a retreading of the good old days.

“No matter what you do, there is nothing that can replace your first,” said the acclaimed group. “Whether it’s your first love or your first day of school ever, there’s something special about the first time. It’s a relatable topic that Nikka, the songwriter and vocalist, felt the need to write about.”

More mature musical direction

Taking on a more mature musical direction with a grittier sound that extends beyond the charming weightlessness of their previous singles, “Una” is unapologetically brash and confrontational, but its sense of melodic resonance shines through the surface with exquisite vulnerability. The surging guitars and passionate vocals blow up into a calming eruption, as the anger and frustration reach for a bittersweet realization.

“The guitars stand out the most in the track, which is a first for us,” vocalist and guitarist Nikka Melchor points out. “There’s minimal acoustic guitar, yet the two electric guitars playing harmoniously create a nostalgic feeling which we aimed for. ‘Una’ made use of a lot of different chords, as compared to our other 2-4 chord songs, resulting to more of a head bang than our usual head bop.”

Production aspects

For a song that is produced to feel the pain through the music even if the listener is not going through the same situation, producer Rye Sarmiento emphasizes the feeling of nostalgia with layers of instruments and usage of first takes, particularly the almost-raw vocal quality of Nikka Melchor. Sarmiento succeeds in translating the song’s vision into a wounded material through-and-through, resulting into compelling glimpses of regret, longing, and affection.

Music video

“Una” is also accompanied with a music video directed by raliug a.k.a. Daniel Aguilar. First time working with the young creative, the vowels they orbit shares that the entire process was such a breeze, and that its concept resonates with them on an intimate level.

“The music video highlights distractions as a coping mechanism for the sudden longing of your Una,” the band shares in a statement. “You can leave your home, go see friends, and have a good time, but the memories of that person will always find a way to creep in.”

Newfound success

Recorded in Backdoor Studio during a 5-day lock-in session, “Una” serves as the first single off the vowels they orbit’s sophomore EP, soon to be released under Sony Music Philippines.

Late last year, the vowels they orbit found renewed success after their hit single “Selos” made it to the official soundtrack of the globally renowned queer series, Gaya Sa Pelikula, directed by JP Habac (I’m Drunk I Love You) and produced by Globe Studios. To date, the soulful alt-pop track has racked up more than 2.4 million streams on Spotify alone, and has consistently enjoyed airplay on mainstream and alternative radio stations in the Philippines.

the vowels they orbit’s “Una” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Philippines.

Almost 2 years have passed, but COVID-19 is still looming over all of us. With the unpredictable restrictions put on physical events in Thailand, in lieu of its signature staging at the creative district of Chareonkrung, Bangkok Music City (BMC) 2021 is set to take place 100% online via YouTube Live through BMC’s YouTube channel and Gather.Town virtual space from November 20 to 21, 2021.

“Live music and entertainment industries have been hit hard by the pandemic, but we don’t want to lose hope and look beyond the pandemic preparing for the time when we can all enjoy ‘real life’ together once again,” says festival co-founder Piyapong ‘Py’ Muenprasertdee. “We strive to make BMC a platform for artists to stay connected with their fanbase, gain new international fans and seek new export opportunities by meeting with music business professionals from all over the world via our virtual networking event,” he adds.

This year, BMC will be featuring 41 Thai and 23 international artists, including 13 from Southeast Asia. As a co-founder and co-organizer of ASEAN Music Showcase Festival or AMS, BMC has also reinvited AMS alumni such as Cambodian hip-hop superstar VannDa and Singaporean indie pop act Sobs, who have cult followings in the US and Southeast Asia. Moreover, from the continued participation of AMS delegate Dexter Sy, Co-founder of Philippines’ Melt Records, their artists Chelsea Dawn and Francis Cang were included as part of the regional showcase at BMC this year. In addition to its ASEAN neighbors, artists all the way from South Korea, Taiwan, Mongolia, Canada, and even the United States will be joining – including Siahna who was on Team Pharrell on Season 9 of NBC’s The Voice.

“No matter the situation – or even another pandemic, I hope that BMC can be a platform to connect music professionals and artists not only on a professional level, but also build long-lasting relationships and friendships with each other,” Muenprasertdee adds, which reflects in the list of international partners who helped curated artist from around the world such as fellow music conference and showcase festivals: LUCfest and ZAshare of Taiwan, Zandari Festa of South Korea, and Live At Heart of Sweden and Canada; live music booking platform Gigmit; and of course,AMS co-organizers from all over the Southeast Asian region such as The Rest Is Noise from the Philippines, City ROARS! Festival from Malaysia, and Baramey Production from Cambodia.

Representatives of prominent festivals such as Glastonbury Festival and The Great Escape of the UK, SXSW of the US, and Fuji Rock and Summer Sonic of Japan will also be participating as official delegates.

In addition to music, BMC is billed as an entertainment and technology summit featuring talks on gaming, film, soft power and the hottest topic in the art world today – NFTs. However, because of the pandemic preventing most international travel, the organizers of BMC have focused on Thai speakers with an aim of educating the local market. Thus, all conference content will be scoped around the Thai market and in the Thai language – just like last year’s edition.

This year’s edition is co-presented by Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and the Creative Economy Agency (CEA) of Thailand, with support from Music Copyright (Thailand) Ltd. (MCT).

Visit BMC online (www.bangkokmusiccity.com) and follow their social’s at http://www.facebook.com/bangkokmusiccity and http://www.instagram.com/bangkokmusiccity to find out how to attend free-of-charge.