hair and makeup KIAN VALENCIA
This story is taken from our archives. Originally published in Zee Digital Vol. 1
DT
Describe your music.
My music is pop with a touch of folk. How did you get into the music industry? It started with a showcase in democrazy—I forgot what year that was. I think that’s how 22 Tango got to hear my songs.
Who are your musical influences?
It’s a mix of different genres. First, I am heavily influenced by Amy Winehouse, Ashley Lilinoe. With all of the artists that influence me, I think it helps the versatility of the songs that I create, allowing me to make more stories to share with other people.
Most memorable song you’ve written?
During my first Cuppa Folk, I performed Woman for the very first time on stage. That song is very close to my heart, since it is a tribute to all the women who have helped me in my life and raised me up. It is sort of a thank you song for them, and I think out of all the songs that I have written, this is the most powerful to me. It talks about my life, and the foundations of my morals and personality.
Plans for 2018?
This year, I’m planning to write more songs. With all of the experiences last year gave me, I have so many stories to write this year. I want to put melody onto that, and share it to all the people who can relate to my stories.
Carlisle and Mary Anchit
CARLISLE
Describe your music.
I produce music in a lot of genres. My favorite genres are pop, hiphop, RnB, afro beats, and all that stuff.
How did you get into the music industry?
I’ve actually been playing the guitar since high school, but the first song that was recognized in the industry was Light Me Up. It was released in December 2016, but sort of got popular in January 2017 when Y101 played it. It was the first song I produced that was on the radio.
Who are your musical influences?
Linkin Park, the first band I fell in love with.
Most memorable song you’ve produced?
It would probably be Light Me Up, because that song launched my career and my sister’s career. Because of that
song, we got to places we’ve never been to, met a lot of great people, and worked with a lot of artists.
Plans for 2018?
I have a lot of songs lined up, both for myself and clients, but the one I am looking forward to is with a Nigerian artist. It is totally different from my old stuff. It’s something new, but feels really familiar.
MARY ANCHIT
Describe your music.
My music is folk and anti-folk. Basically, folk music and melodies tells stories. Antifolk also tells stories, but the melodies are kind of raw and experimental.
How did you get into the music industry?
I played at a songwriters night back in 2010, and Cattski found me.
Who are your musical influences?
Regina Spektor and Sara Bareilles
Most memorable song you’ve written?
I think my most memorable is Hero. Whenever I perform the song, I’ve heard people saying that they’re touched by it, and that it got them through something.
Plans for 2018?
I will be releasing a new album soon.
THINKING CHAIR
Describe your music.
Indie music. Soul. Revolutionary. Raw.
How did you get into the music industry?
We first started in church, and when we kind of took a break from that scene, we started a band. This lineup is actually new—we wanted to revive the original Thinking Chair, but some of them are already in Canada.
Who are your musical influences?
A lot. 1975, Coldplay, Private Island.
Most memorable song you’ve written?
Mirage, because every time we sing it, it’s different. We have so many renditions, and it’s fun to play.
Plans for 2018?
We plan to release an EP, add some new songs to our lineup. Hopefully also do a tour.
JRUSS
Describe your music.
My music is a storytelling kind of pop, or folk pop. I tried to avoid the orthodox
type of songs.
How did you get into the music industry?
I actually didn’t think I could go into the music industry. I only played piano before, but then because of college, I wanted to get more into that. Ever since then, I started singing a lot, and after a few years, I started with 22 Tango’s democrazy.
Who are your musical influences?
The first would be Florence and the Machine, and Of Monsters and Men, which is very indie rock and folk rock. I also like Ben Howard and Bastille.
Most memorable song you’ve written?
January of 2015, I wrote the song Happy New Me. I wrote it online for a national songwriting content on Facebook. There was actually no prize—just bragging rights. It’s about someone thinking they were able to move on from a relationship, but actually in the end, it’s just a desperate attempt to say that you moved on. A month later, I was tagged on Facebook that I won. I won a competition with no prize.
Plans for 2018?
Hopefully I can start recording and get an album released. Aside from that, get some real life experience and start writing more songs.
As a singer-songwriter and full-time high school teacher, Anchit draws from outward experiences and weaves them together to form the 7-track foundations of Miss Mary, produced by Cattski Espina, and recorded, mixed, and mastered at Room Eleven Recording Studio. Miss Mary will be released under 22 Tango Records and will be available on all digital streaming platforms. CDs will also be available for purchase.
“Mary Anchit is a wordsmith. Her non-commercial music is not capable of telling just one story. One song has four stories in it. She does not care that her music is not commercially appealing. She is not in the business of earning; only of living,” said Espina on the three-year creative process of the album.
With her album, Anchit hopes to contribute to the vision of making Cebu a destination for music.
For inquiries and updates, follow Mary Anchit and 22 Tango Records on Facebook.
]]>Presented by singer-songwriter, musician, record producer, and studio director Cattski Espina, the workshop includes establishing musician identity, learning stage essentials, laying out the process of collaboration, preparing for recording and exploring the business side of music.
Formerly called the Singer Songwriter Bootcamp, the upcoming crash course aims to educate and encourage aspiring singer songwriters to tell their stories by fostering interaction and creativity through the use of voice. The workshop will culminate with a co-writing activity.
Espina’s years-long expertise led her to co-founding 22 Tango Records, a local independent record label and publishing house, and the establishment of Room Eleven Recording Studio.
She has released over five albums and has performed in New York City, Nashville, Tennesse, and Vancouver, Canada. Her most recent projects included the production of the Wonggoy’s single “Wa’y Blema” and Vincent Eco’s album “Kiss and Disappear.”
The workshop will run from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm at the Room Eleven Recording Studio Annex, Mango Square Mall, Gen. Maxilom Avenue.
Registration slots are limited at P1500 each.
For inquiries, visit their website or email info@22tangorecords.com.
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After his debut single “I Know You Do”, Vincent Eco is back to serenade us once again with his debut album titled “Kiss & Disappear”. Catch the album launch and digital release party this coming June 30, 2018, 8pm at Sugid, ASPACE Cebu.
“Kiss & Disappear” is written and composed by Vincent Eco; produced by Cattski Espina; and recorded, mixed and mastered in Room Eleven Recording studio. The album will be released under local record label, 22 Tango Records.
Back in 2014, Vincent Eco sent a demo of his song “Last Oath” to 22 Tango Records and was then invited to play in some events. Eventually, he was offered a record deal in 2015 which was to be produced by Cattski Espina. With 3 years in the making, this album is set to tell Eco’s stories about love and heartaches.
“As a producer, my intention was to keep Vincent Eco’s authenticity as an artist. The ideas for his sound were mainly inspired by his influences. We applied and executed these ideas and came up with a sound that is uniquely Vincent Eco’s,” says Cattski.
He had come a long way from his high school band days down to the release of his single “I Know You Do”. As an artist, he brands himself in creating music that would allow the listeners to connect. His songs are drawn from his experiences, stories and emotions from within.
He wishes for his music to inspire people and make it part of their everyday lives; to allow the listeners make his music their form of comfort.
This album is set to enthrall the listeners with his soulful melodies. With 11 songs in line, Kiss & Disappear will give you the feeling of being in love and broken at the same time. His poignant vocals and captivating lyrics gives the overall emotion of the album and would leave one’s musical soul wanting for more.
Other homegrown artists performing during the event are J Russ X DT and Lourdes Maglinte. There will be a gate fee of 200 pesos. For more information on 22 Tango Records, visit their website at 22tangorecords.com, and follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
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By bringing together a mix of Cebu’s well established creatives as well as up-and-coming businessmen that shook different industries of the Queen City, this paved way for inspired learning and meaningful interactions. From the likes of Steve Benitez, founder and owner of Bo’s Coffee, to creatives like Cattski Espina of 22Tango Records, an afternoon filled with sparked conversations filled the Performing Arts Hall of UP Cebu last June 16, Saturday, for The Spark Project’s Sparkfest Cebu 2018.
Making a mark in various industries in Cebu, several successful handpicked speakers were present to share their insights on their journey towards a successful business venture. Ken Ngo, founder and CEO of Travelbee and Hammerland, urged the audience to “find their tribe” when knowing what type of business to put up. He shares that you should surround yourself with people who have the same goals and traits as you do, so that it may propel you forward.
The most talked about weekend market, Sugbo Mercado, is known to be a home of various food choices and stalls that is an ultimate go-to for foodies. Charm de Leon, Director at Sugbo Mercado, shares that the weekend market provides an avenue for small and medium-sized enterprises to live sell and interact with their customers. It allows start-ups to know their market and incubate the sellers for them to be able to expand through healthy competition within the confines of the Sugbo Mercado.
On enabling local entrepreneurship, DTI Provincial Director Nanette Arbon shares the importance of having to protect your business by protecting your brand. The government agency also provides the public various shared service facilities that enable them to materialize their products for their market.
Known for its “homegrown brew”, Bo’s Coffee is a local coffee shop brand which started in Cebu and is now with over a hundred stores nationwide. Steve Benitez, founder of the coffee shop brand, shares insights to start-ups and young entrepreneurs.
“The limit we have is the limit we put on ourselves,” shares Steve, on his journey as an entrepreneur with that entrepreneurial mindset.
Creatives in different fields– from the richness of the arts and crafts in the city, to its divergent and talented artists thriving in the world of music, film and theater–shares the importance of putting oneself out there to the world and actually making your audience love you. The value of the artists’ brand is emphasized in the different topics on these creatives, from starting movements that create good, on emergence of sustainable social enterprises, as well as using creativity and the power of innovation as a tool for entrepreneurship.
Patch Dulay, the founder of the Spark Project
Cattski Espina of 22Tango Records shares that the company was able to create a thriving community of not only music creators, but also a community of music consumers. With the movement of #GrowCebuMusic, it strives to achieve a sustainable highly creative local music industry in Cebu, which not only provides for various artists but gives pride to Cebuanos.
Jude Gitamondoc, more famously known for his work on VISPOP songwriting campaign and having produced the famous vispop song HAHAHAHasula, also took part in sharing his journey in building a community of musicians and making these musicians touch hearts and be hits.
In the creative scene, the common denominator is that one should make the audience love and adore the talents and pieces, as well as the overall brand being put out to the market. The power is in knowing what’s hip and trendy, as well as what’s going to last, in the contemporary world.
Creative businesses like these are also movements for social change. Anthill Fabric Gallery, represented by its Creative Operations Officer, Cham Lopez, is driven by this idea. It makes its mark in the local scene of clothing and garments as a social and cultural enterprise in the with the goal to preserve local weaves through contemporary and zero waste design to sustain livelihood.
Ceeli Martinez-Miranda, Co-Founder of Create Cebu
“The whole purpose of Sparkfest really is to create that “spark”, to get people excited about entrepreneurship, creativity and creating social good”, says Ceeli Martinez-Miranda, Co-Founder of Create Cebu, a team with a vision of “urban revitalisation and reclamation” with the help of collaboration through art. Being able to be present with different speakers who have made things happen in their respective fields would then be able to ignite and inspire business-minded and creative-minded people under one roof to allow them to collaborate and start their own businesses and movements.
Aside from the bustling field of business, Sparkfest brings to the spotlight the importance of creativity and the value it brings to each product and service. The marriage of a product/service and the marketing dilemmas that go with it show that there is an incorporation of creativity in businesses, and a way to make a business out of the creative ideas you put out to the world.
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The Listening Room is an intimate live music session featuring music written, composed, and performed by the songwriters themselves. A music policy called the #shhhhpolicy will be in full swing to keep background noise to a minimum as The Listening Room is truly designed for conscious listening.
This special edition of The Listening Room brings together musicians and writers to celebrate literature and music as part of Youth for a Livable Cebu’s #BeyondBooks project, which recently won the TAYO award from the office of Senator Bam Aquino.
Through events like The Listening Room that inspire imagination and creativity, the project aims to bring people back to the pre-World War II Cebu City Public Library or the Jose Rizal Memorial Library, which houses a great collection books and online reads for free.
For Php 200 only, literary and music buffs will be treated to music by the Wonggoys, Loop, Bethany, and J Russ. Writers R Joseph Dazo and Johanna Michelle Lim will also be reading excerpts from their books, which will be launched soon.
The Listening Room will be on November 29, Wednesday in the Cebu City Public Library. Music starts at 8PM.
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