For the whole month of April you can download our song "My Life's Arithmetic Means" for free! The second track from the EP Bread and Circuses released under Lilystars Records. While you're at it, please leave your precious timed comments on SoundCloud by clicking the gray bar under the wave track. You may need to create your own account for this.
There was a lull in terms of recording and releasing new materials for The Camerawalls in 2011. It was a tough year, and with the ever-changing musical landscape and distribution, we felt it's better to postpone any plans. Bread and Circuses EP was more like a "chop suey" served during a lengthy cocoon stage of the band. As times changes so do we. The year that passed has tested our adaptability to changes.
This post has been lying on our WordPress draft section since Oct 7. Completely forgot about it. Last month was pretty tight with lots of gigs and activities. So here goes…
Right after chilling out for a bit at Timbre @ Old School we headed straight to The Substation for the usual soundcheck. A few minutes before our set a queue was forming outside. We played to what seemed like a full house bar for that evening. Many guests who came to see us the previous night were also present to witness our last gig in SG.
We were far more relaxed, like we’re in a familiar place. It felt like home.
All black and white photos by Deo Virtucio of Requiem Rising Singapore. To see more, click HERE>>>
Canto De Maria Clara – The Camerawalls (Live at Timbre @ The Substation)
My Life’s Arithmetic Means – The Camerawalls (Live at Timbre @ The Substation)
Bread and Circuses – The Camerawalls (Live at Timbre @ The Substation)
Every number has a certain power which is expressed both by its symbol to denote its representation and by its connection to universal principles. Numbers have relationships with all things in nature, thus making them supremely powerful symbolic expressions.
This is based on Numerology – the study of numbers and their influence in our lives. While I do not practice or subscribe to this, it’s fascinating to sometimes look up on spiritual meanings behind numbers and explore how it applies to us for our own personal coherence on the subject. For instance, it’s significance to the anniversary of our band. We recently celebrated our fourth year as a group on September 9 at Gweilo Bar in Makati to welcome what we considered The Camerawalls’ founding date, which falls on September 10.
The symbolic meaning of number Four deals with stability and invokes the grounded nature of all things. Consider the four seasons, four directions, four elements all these amazingly powerful essences wrapped up in the nice square package of Four. Fours represent solidity, calmness, and home. A recurrence of Four in your life may signify the need to get back to your roots, center yourself, or even “plant” yourself. Fours also indicate a need for persistence and endurance.
Stable, grounded, solid. — Perhaps those four years of struggle and trying out new things on our own has made us experience enough to consider such. Humbling episodes year after year. I had the pleasure of working with great people, some of them good friends, to be able to come through with the challenges of getting back to my roots and be an indie band.
Looking back at the year that has passed, here’s a modest list of interesting events that happened to The Camerawalls since our last anniversary celebration:
1. Recruited a new drummer, Joseph Rudica, who’s also from Bulacan and drummer of twee pop band The Gentle Isolation. Related story…
2. Went back to Sonic State studio with producers Jonathan Ong and Robert Javier to record a new EP.Related story…
3. Released “Bread & Circuses” EP under Lilystars Records. The EP was launched on December 11, 2010 at Ayala Museum. Related story…
4. Fronted for the China Crisis during one of their shows in Manila. Related blog…
6. Our single Bread and Circuses, was named semifinalist in the 2010 International Songwriting Competition in the Folk/Singer/Songwriter Category. Related story…
6. Recently recruited George Carillo, our new electric guitarist, finally completing our sound during live performances.
7. Visited Singapore for the second time for a two-night show at Timbre @ The Substation. Related story…
The crowd at Gweilo that night were an odd mix of young students eager to see the band, young professionals, a number of foreigners, and some stray folks in their late 30s and early 40s. The rest are close friends of ours. The younger audiences did came as a surprise. Our music crossing over to high school and college students, without the benefit of radio and tv, is something of value.
To make it worth their while, we played two sets alternating originals with choice covers. Below is our take on a classic Ocean Blue song.
We closed the bar as usual and parted ways around 4AM. I love the intimate vibe our gigs in a small watering hole produces. Strangers meet strangers and like minded people, all infected with the music and camaraderie. We are thankful to all who came, bought the records at 40% off, and partied with us. Many of which have to travel far just to get there. Cheers and on to the fifth! – Clementine
Last week, preliminary to an internet radio performance at UR Faceradio, we posted an open invitation to all who might be interested to join us and become our guests during the show and receive a free copy of our new EP Bread and Circuses. See A Radio Invitation…
The involvement entails an easy task of e-mailing an answer to the question “Why do you like The Camerawalls?” The responses we received were more than heartwarming, enkindling us to the core, enough to inspire an immediate follow-up with new recordings.
“The exceptionally written words in every song catch my attention. Some songs are based in real life situation in which we can learn something good based on the message of a particular song. Another thing is their feel-good music allows me to see the day in an optimistic way.” – Kevin
“Because listening to The Camerawalls is like a perfect book, you bring me to a different world.” – Lori
The Camerawalls live at UR Faceradio with sessionist Carlo Gaa on keys.
“Dahil napakaganda ng inyong musika. Araw-araw kong pinapakinggan ang inyong magagandang kanta at minsan sinasabayan ko rin ng gitara habang kinakanta. Bawat lyrics, melody, instruments ay napakahusay. Nagpapasalamat ako dahil may natitira pang mga musikero na katulad nyo na talagang napakahusay. Salamat din sa mga cover songs nyo dahil nakakatuklas ako ng magagandang kanta kumpara ngayon na parang wala na yung quality ng musika.” – Mark
“I like It so much, because the sound is better than the others, looking back at your debut album ‘Pocket Guide To The Otherworld’, I find all the songs in that album so beautiful and amazing! I’ve never heard any band use rondalla before in a modern song. Then your song “Canto de Maria Clara” was derived from one the books that our National Hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal wrote. You leave me amazed, where in heaven did you get your songwriting techniques? In your EP Album “Bread and Circuses”, the most I like are “Longevity”,”My Life’s Arithmetic Means” and your single “Bread and Circuses”, I play it always in youtube.com and I always enjoy your songs, dreaming I was in heaven and flying in the clouds. What beautiful music you have!” – Bobby
Law Santiago
“I like the Camerawalls’ music because I am into indiepop and 80’s music (The Smiths, Stone Roses & Pale Fountains). I love the popish guitar sound of the band plus the soothing voice of Clem.Their rondalla/banduria approach when they performed in Club 8 in Manila was superb, eclectic and unique.” – Erick
“This is quite low but I like your music because of its very soothing melody. I am also amazed by the lyrics of your songs, but I cannot fully say that it is really the message that made me like your music because I am not sure if I truly got your message. There are also some songs which I find vague because, I don’t know, maybe I should improve my vocabulary. I salute you for keeping your music as non-commercial one. Sometimes I wonder how people could not know about your beautiful songs and listen to it just like the mainstream ones but I stayed selfish about it… your music’s like a treasure.” – Nicole
Joseph "Bachie" Rudica
“I like the sincerity and truthfulness in your lyrics and I like the creativity in your music! More power!” – JM
“I’m a metal fan pero I matured into your kind of music. I think your music is classy and very mature. It easily connects to my soul. Your music talks to me. Simple yet so much better than all those fast complicated metal. When I’m sad, stressed and hopeless, your music always cheers me up.” – Allen
“It’s different… kumbaga yung recipe ng masarap na pagkain. A masterpiece of lyrics.” – Tessa
Clementine
“Music has played an integral part in the lives of every Filipino and in the lives of every individual in general. It has served as a catalyst in the hustle bustle of daily living whether among the affluent, the middle class nor the less fortunate. It is indeed a powerful medium which can induce multiple response which can either be physiological, emotional, cognitive and behavioral.
Music can influence behavior in ways which are beyond one’s conscious awareness. Further, it promotes relaxation, alleviates anxiety and pain, facilitates communication which goes beyond words and explanation, inspire and soothe the spirit and the troubled mind. It is an essential foundation of our existence and the rhythm of our souls, consequently a few couldn’t live without it.
Never before in the history of humanity that an abundance of different genre of music has been made and so easily available in the world today, not to mention it’s accessibility through the advancement of modern technology. The development of electronic media has paved the way to make music more enjoyable. The question as to who and what is worth listening is a vital factor which will define what are we made of and what we value in life.
I have always been a music enthusiast and a lover of which that is good, lovely, virtuous and praiseworthy. Though I am not musically gifted I have a penchant of what is simply unique and extraordinary. Ironically, I have never been exposed to live bands not until recently, nevertheless, I knew one is worthy of my time and attention when I see one. The adventurous side of me made me discover zones I should pay attention to – The CAMERAWALLS .
Their music captured and awakened my heart in deep slumber and created a deep impact in me. It has the effect I had previously mentioned above. Never have I heard an all-Filipino band sounded so exquisitely beautiful. Their lyrics were so rich – intelligently, intricately and delicately woven together to create a perfect melody so relaxing and soothing to the human soul. All the three-man-band were equality gifted and oozing with talent and perfectly blend. Keep creating and making good music together. I’ll be tirelessly listening and loving your music ’til eternity passes away! More power and Godbless.” – Cathy
With friends and guests who took home free CDs with stickers and badges.
Many thanks to all participants. We thank you all for taking time and effort to be with us. Let’s do this again when the opportunity presents itself. In the meantime, see you in gigs!