Ex-Orange & Lemons Gets Flashy With His New Band – The Camerawalls

FHM Philippines – September 2008 Issue

FHM: You moved on pretty fast. Tell us how the band came about.

CLEMENTINE: The last gig of Orange & Lemons was August 2007, sa California. After that, hindi pa rin ayos so we broke up. Then immediately after I hooked up with these guys who were actually old friends of mine. Law was the original bassist of Orange & Lemons, while Ian has been a friend since 2003.

FHM: Why did O&L split, anyway?

CLEMENTINE: Because of musical direction and musical differences. We had to take into account the business side and I, for one, was against over-commercializing our original music. Another reason was misunderstanding.

FHM: Are you still friends?

CLEMENTINE: No, we aren’t. We’re not in good terms but let’s just say na wala na lang pakialaman. I won’t tell you anything bad about them and vice-versa. What happened has happened and I have no regrets. I’m happier now.

FHM: How would you differentiate the old band from The Camerawalls?

CLEMENTINE: Camerawalls is more collaborative. Dati, (with ONL) collaborative sya but as the albums came out, one after another, most of the stuff nanggagaling sakin. I wanted a more collaborative effort but the thing is, if you’re not suggesting, then it’s not collaboration, right? The table is always open but walang contest lagi. Now, I find it more exciting to work because narooon yung enthusiasm, from each member. Hindi spoon-fed.

FHM: So tell us about your new record, Pocket Guide To The Otherworld.

CLEMENTINE: In the first song, “Markers of Beautiful Memories,” which also is our single, there is a line that goes: “I carry a torch and a pocket guide/to the markers of beautiful memories.” We liked the word “pocket-guide.” The songs is also a celebration of life-changing events that happened to me and to us as a band. In the album, you will hear references to my personal experiences–changing bands, my surreal moments with muses. I did a cover of an old Rizal poem, “Canto De Maria Clara,” which I sang in Spanish. I made an epic poem which we turned into a song, “The Emperor, The Concubine & The Commoner.” We used rondalla instruments here, too.

FHM: Who is Natalie in your song “I Love You, Natalie”?

CLEMENTINE: Natalie is my ultimate muse for this album. One hundred percent of the words in the album are, i think true because very personal ang approach namin sa songwriting.