Posts tagged ‘clementine’

Jul 6

Why I Like The Camerawalls

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!

Photo credits: Erick Dantoc and Jeff Saw

Mar 23

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Kate and Burt at The POP Shoppe!

We’d like to further share the results of our performance (originally blogged at Lilystars Records) in that dark pub where we always like to play called Route 196 during The POP Shoppe! tribute to Burt Bacharach on March 3. We are lucky to have Kate Torralba as part of the line-up of artists performing and even luckier to have her on stage with us the whole time.

She recently recorded piano for one of our songs in Bread And Circuses EP called “My Life’s Arithmetic Means” and we were able to jam it together for the first time live that night. It was the first song and she never left our side, jamming with all our Bacharach covers, a couple more original songs, and sang a lady version of “Girlfriend In A Coma” by The Smiths. Fun night! We ended up closing the bar at 3:30am.

My Life’s Arithmetic Means – The Camerawalls with Kate Torralba

This Guys In Love With You / Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head / Walk On By – The Camerawalls

Mar 3

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The Whitest Boy Alive: Concert and Cover

If you are a fan of Kings of Convenience and dance music, you just might like The Whitest Boy Alive, an indie rock-electronic group from Berlin also fronted by Erlend Øye.

Erlend together with bandmate Eirick visited Manila last year as Kings Of Convenience and I was fortunate to catch that intimate show. This time The Whitest Boy Alive is touring Asia with a stop in the Philippines on March 12 brought to us by Intercept!

I picked-up a video Kate Torralba posted while she’s skyping with Erlend sending a personal invite to fans in Manila.

Erlend Skypes Manila: Greetings from The Whitest Boy Alive

The Whitest Boy Alive Cover Night

To add up to the excitement Kate hosted a Whitest Boy Alive cover night at Cafe Saguijo two days ago with Ang Bandang Shirley, The Camerawalls, Kate Torralba, Turbo Goth and Bullet Dumas.

We chose to cover the song 1517, a single from their second album “Rules” and featured as a soundtrack in the video game FIFA 10. From the electronic-dance sound, our version combines elements of acoustic and rockabilly, making the rhythm section sounding more like a Smiths track. Watch our cover below:

1517 – The Camerawalls

Feb 28

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Food and Yenning in Iloilo (Part 2)

continuation of Food and Yenning in Iloilo (Part 1)…

While enjoying the afternoon coffee at Madge, I mentioned to Chito my particular interest to visit Museo Iloilo and Janiuay Cemetery. Got the following description at Asiatravel.com about the two places of interest:

Museo Iloilo
An impressive collection of Iloilo’s cultural heritage which includes stone age native pottery; fossils; jewelry; burial sites; trade pottery from China, Annam and Siam; era photos. Mementos and war relics; a British sunken ship; Spanish-era Filipino sculpture; and modern art done by Ilonggo artists and craftsmen.

Janiuay Cemetery
Built in 1875, this famous Spanish-Filipino cemetery is made of cut stone and fossil rocks and features three imposing stairways and two Gothic doors. Its is 32 kms. from the city.

He told me it’ll take a long while to reach the cemetery but he’ll gladly accompany us to the museum. So I guess the tombstones and idea of grave rubbing will have to wait for another visit back in Iloilo.

For non-travelers like us who aren’t used to the grandeur of famous museums, Museo Iloilo was indeed already impressive. It wasn’t that big and one can tour it for a short 15 to 30 minutes.

As a souvenir, I bought a couple of era photos while Bachie bought a number of Iloilo tote bags. Displyed in the next room across the entrance are several paintings by local artists. I particularly like the works of a certain Alex P. Ordoyo in watercolor. Below are samples of this work on exhibit.

But the best art I saw and probably the photo of the day is a mixed media composed of art on canvas and my two band mates fooling around.

… and this amazing monument of Benjamin Button.

After the half -hour museum tour we headed back to Highway 21 hotel to rest for a couple of hours while we wait for Ian Zafra, our session guitarist, who flew from Cebu. It’s been so long since he last joined us on stage and we’re quite excited to see him again.

In our hotel room, reunited with Ian.

He arrived at the hotel just in time for dinner accompanied by two friends based in the city named Patrick and Roy. They brought us to a place called Ramboy’s Lechonan and Restaurant, ordered Sinigang, Lechon and Sizzling Seafoods and had a few beers while catching up. We continued drinking and singing the night away back in our hotel room. A great day, it was.

to be continued…

Feb 23

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Food And Yenning In Iloilo (Part 1)

My mouth waters when I think of Iloilo and its food specialties. When we were invited to play in a sorority sponsored pre-Valentine event on February 12 at Mellow Mangrove (formerly Tijuana Bar) by U.P. Sigma Beta, the thought of visiting instantly tickled my taste buds. “La Paz Batchoy!” I screamed in my head.

We asked the organizers to book us an early flight a day before the event to eat and see some places we’ve never been to. The three of us arrived in Iloilo on a Friday morning with hardly any sleep. Lean (a Junior student and sorority member) accompanied by Chito Miclat (a Beta Sigma alumni who owns a printing business) were the ones who picked us up at the airport. The former being relatively shy while the latter is a jolly person in his 50s who never ran out of classic jokes to tell.

Chito: “Im happily married. My wife is happy. I’m just married.”

****

Chito: “Kahit di ako gwapo ang napangasawa ko former Miss Korea, pero dito na kame nag stay sa Iloilo.”
Bachie: “Talaga? Paano kayo nagkakilala? Nagpunta ka sa Korea?
Chito: ” Hindi. Sa Pampanga ko siya nakilala. Taga Isabela. Mrs. Miclat na sya ngayon.”

Punchline after punchline, he kept us alive and amused during the whole trip to his house, the hotel until till he brought us to Tatoy’s Manokan to treat us for lunch fit for 10 people!

Tatoy's Manokan and Seafoods

Our generous hosts.

It takes awhile to reach the place. It’s located at Villa Beach, West of Iloilo City near Breakthrough Restaurant. Known to serve the best grilled chicken in Panay, their Native Chicken Lechon is superb and delicious not to mention easy on the budget. The same goes with their selection of seafood dishes.

Picture this: a view of the sea, bamboo tables and benches, soil under your feet, a great selection of native dishes, buko juice served with the whole coconut fruit on the table… we couldn’t help but feel at home and eat using our hands.

Native Chicken Lechon, Seaweeds on Vinegar and Kilawin!

Grilled Pusit

Oysters in Vinegar and Scallops (not in the picture).

Following the host's example. Best way to eat in that restaurant.

The amount of food served and the funny conversations did more than satisfy our hearty appetite. Digging till we can’t take any more. A plastic bag for leftovers was the last request. Chito invited us to have coffee on our way back to the city. He parked beside a business establishment and to our surprise led us inside a public market across the street.

We entered a homey carinderia-type kapihan called Madge Cafe. The place is over 50 years old and quite popular in the area. They serve authentic Ilonggo brewed coffed and is a perfect after meal treat. Who would have thought one would find a place like this in a public market.