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.
]]>Spreading it through the sound of music! Last Saturday, Ayala Center Cebu and 22 Tango Records showed their love for their fellow Cebuanos by holding another community music fest at the Terraces for free.
Mandaue Nights
Aya’Love (I love how they played with the words here) was filled with people who are die-hard fans of the artists that performed. Some of them were fresh audience who just happened to overhear the music playing in the venue.
J Russ and DT performing ‘Drunk Feeling’
Music started playing at around 6pm with the beautiful voice of Lourdes Maglinte as she opens the concert. From then on, the music echoed all across the Terraces which I’m sure made everyone’s night a little more colorful.
Lourdes Maglinte
Other artists that performed last Saturday include Wonggoys, Groovematics, Bethany, Loop, Sepia Times, Mandaue Nights, Mary Anchit,, J Russ X DT and Vincent Eco.
“I came here for Loop. Their song Lost just relates to me and I bet to a whole lot of people,” says Theresa, one of the people who attended the music fest, “I like the fact that this is free. I enjoyed all the line up of artists. Everything about this event is perfect.”
The artists’ music and performance revolved not just between two people falling in love, but some were dedicated to one’s family or friends– which everybody can relate too.
Photos are from 22 Tango Records
Featured image: Loop
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If summer love is something on your itinerary, make sure to 22 Tango Records‘ Songs of Summer gets on your list. Now on its third installment, Songs of Summer gives Cebuanos the chance to enjoy original music from promising local acts.
Whether it’s the powerful vocals of Lourdes Maglinte, the heartbreaking lyrics from Vincent Eco or the Wonggoy’s upbeat songs, you’re bound to find the soundtrack for your season of flings and flames. Make sure to catch your favorite bands every Wednesday of the summer at Ayala Center Cebu.
Vincent Eco and Lourdes Maglinte at last year’s Songs of Summer
APRIL 5
- Kurt Ebarita
- Vincent Eco
- Lourdes Maglinte
- Womb
APRIL 12
- J Russ
- Wonggoys
- Mary Anchit
- Jerika Teodorico
APRIL 26
- Kurt Ebarita
- Hanna Regis
- Honeydrop
- My Dragon Eats Cat Food
Mary Anchit at last year’s Songs of Summer
MAY 3
- Diane Tungol
- Jayneil Enriquez
- Lourdes Maglinte
- Loop
MAY 10
- Silingan ni Felicity
- Womb
- Forgetful Bob
- Ella Melendez
MAY 17
- Mary Anchit
- Aaron Domingo
- Honeydrop
- Three-Legged Men
MAY 24
- Bethany
- Mother Folker
- Wonggoys
- Vincent Eco