To those who already have a copy of Bread and Circuses EP we are grateful for your support. But you might like to know, there’s a bonus hidden track after the last song — an instrumental version of track two — “My Life’s Arithmetic Means“. Listen to the original track below:
My Life’s Arithmetic Means – The Camerawalls
Kate Torralba, our guest musician on the record, made impromptu contributions to the song. She was very kind enough to appear in the studio even on a very short notice without the benefit of a song study, and record piano and keyboard sections on the spot. She was amazing!
Kate Torralba at home with her piano. Photo by Aldwin Aspillera.
Before actual takes we sat down to review her on the chord progressions and sections of the song while catching up and exchanging talks about love and relationship failures. A conversation that somehow led us to a conclusion that we would both fare better with a foreign prospect. Kate even funnily suggested to hook me up with her friends. “I am a good matchmaker!” she quips. To which I just plainly shrugged.
Robert Javier was the one on board the console at Sonicstate Audio, recording and guiding her as our producer. The clip below is the exact recording of a portion of the short bonus track which you can hear after a two-minute silence preceded by the last track “Bread and Circuses” in the EP.
Kate Torralba is a singer-songwriter-pianist and a fashion designer. She is currently working on her solo debut album.
We had an amazing Saturday night! Opening act for the popular 80s icon China Crisis plus backstage access and front row seats to their show. If you missed the gig at The Venice Piazza, the series of videos below is the closest you can get to the experience.
We only played three songs. We were actually required to do two covers but opted to play just one to promote our records. I’m sure the management of Megaworld wouldn’t mind since whatever we play will sound close to the songs we cover. But we are mighty glad and thankful for this opportunity.
Carlo Gaa jammed with us on keyboards. Incidentally, he’s also the keyboard sessionist for entire leg of China Crisis’ shows in Manila.
Girlfriend In A Coma
Clinically Dead For 16 Hours
Bread and Circuses
Earlier during sound check, the acoustic guitar of Eddie Lundon acted up, prompting the band to borrow and use my cheap (but nice sounding) Ibanez acoustic guitar for their entire show. And of course, the idea of having it signed automatically sprung into mind!
My acoustic guitar signed by Eddie Lundon and Gary Daly of China Crisis after using it for their last gig in Manila.
Our first gig for 2011 that garnered a considerable amount of listeners was in the intimate confines of JAM 88.3, which I believe is the only radio station left that plays great indie pop tunes.
It was our third time to guest and perform in their weekly Sunday show called Jam Sessions. The first one was back in 2008 before we release “Pocket Guide To The Otherworld” followed by a mall show in Cavite last year after the release of “The Sight Of Love“. Both hosted by Tracy Abad.
This time we had the crazy pleasure to be interviewed by the boisterous and convivial tandem of Jugs Jugueta and Kelvin Yu, both members of the local band Itchyworms, now turned noontime show hosts and DJs on the side. Aired last Sunday is a pre-recorded interview and live performance. So live they never bothered editing the supposed “outtakes” which I find ludicrously amusing.
We visited the station to record our session exactly a week before our supposed guesting. We were advised to do an acoustic set, but to our surprise, there inside the booth is a full band set up being used by Tanya Markova who’s about to wrap up with their show. An electric drum kit and a Bass amp is in place, which instantly changed our minds from playing entirely with just an acoustic guitar.
Law didn’t bring his electric bass guitar. We didn’t want to miss the opportunity where each member can play. (It’s not everyday we get to play live on radio). Good thing Em Aquino (bassist of Your Imaginary Friends) left her Ibanez Jet King Electric Bass at Lilystars headquarters, prompting my colleague/roadie Antonette to make a run for it. I’m not sure if she asked permission from the owner, but we are very thankful for this coincidence. (Thanks Em!).
Us performing "My Life's Arithmetic Means".
Joseph Rudica talks about being an official Camerwalls member.
The crazy duo: Jugs and Kel
The session was unlike any of our past radio guestings. It didn’t even feel like we’re on the radio. The setting was more of a drinking spree on a side street, with the hosts laughing out loud at the most ridiculous comments and private jokes they throw at each other and the band. There was even a barrage of questions about Orange & Lemons, to which I comfortably indulged in, giving in to their curiousity.
A wave of nervous excitement greeted us when we started playing the first song “A Gentle Persuasion”, judging by the fact we came unrehearsed and unprepared to play all our new songs especially in a full band set-up. I even have to stop midway in “Birthday Wishes” because I thought I skipped a line (when in fact I didn’t). Eventually we didn’t mind and went along with the show.
Graying hair.
Bloodshot eye.
Sticky fingers.
I hardly remember the flow of our long, crazy and sometimes insightful conversations. But one question of Jugs sticked to me like a flypaper. “Don’t you miss the big time boy?” he quips. To which I readily replied by singing the chorus line of Lennon’s “Watching The Wheels”.
I told Jugs it would hypocritical to say that I don’t, but I wanted something more that just instant commercial fame and money. And I stand by the adage, “With good music, money will follow.” I play music not just as a profession but a an avenue of self-expression. A means to capture into music any aspect of my day to day living. It may be something amusing, inspiring, challenging or depressing. Through The Camerawalls and Lilystars Records, we are trying to build a healthy pop scene in this part of the world and help other local bands, hoping to reach a larger niche market in and out of the country someday.
Procrastination is probably one of the most common problem people have in their day to day life. Including myself, that is. After having experience with procrastination, I realized procrastination itself causes more pain than actually doing what I suppose to do. Everytime I check on our blog pages and see posts that are meant to be continued without ever reaching a conclusion, it gives me a pang of remorse. So today I’m making a deal with myself to JUST DO IT.
FIRST NIGHT AT THE ESPLANADE
We had a great day since we landed in the city. Walking the streets of Singapore and doing some food tripping and sight-seeing. By the time we got back at the hotel we hardly had time to rest and wash up to catch Techy Romantics’ set. We missed it! By the time we reached the Concourse, Carlos Castano was already setting up.
At the entrance.
We met other artists from the Philippines and some friends who are already based and working in Singapore. I also had the chance to meet Rebecca Lincoln, a freelance music journalist, who was the first one to write about The Camerawalls and recommend us in a music blog called Power of Pop.
with Rebecca Lincoln.
We roam around the area feeling the vibe and checked out the Arena where we are suppose to perform the next day. In our hearts, we felt extremely lucky to be chosen to perform on the best and biggest stage, with a good time slot. We secured good seats and watched a Singapore superband called Typewriter. Pretty good. But the hightlight of our night was when Jon Auer went onstage and jammed with Typewriter and sang songs from his band The Posies like “Flavour of the Month”. Now that’s in your face POP!
Jon Auer of The Posies jamming with Singapore's Typewriter at the Arena.
POST GIG FEASTING
When the music ended, excitement of the evening still floats in our heads. The night was young so we decided to indulge ourselves with their local beer and delicacies. Chili Crabs and dimsums in a 24-hour open food court near the Grand Pacific Hotel. Tiger Beer simply contributed to a perfect nightcap.
Delicious Chili Crabs
Tiger Beer and assorted Dimsums
“An oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger, or a beer.” – Confucius
Another leaf has turned as I spent my birthday week preparing and hosting a musical event. The traditional get together at Lilystars Records’ HQ on the 9th culminated with the launch of The Camerawalls EP “Bread and Circuses” at the Ayala Museum on the 11th.
I bought a whole crispy chicken for the potluck party only to become easily ignored by the wealth of food and alcohol brought along by each one who came. Some were homemade like the dishes prepared by Antonette, our wonder dinner-party hostess. Everyone from the label was present with some surprise guests – good friends who are helping us with our artists and events.
Sharing my chocolate cake.
When they brought in the cakes (there were two, one for Eric Po of Your Imaginary Friends whose birthday falls on the 12th), it’s when I realized it’s official — I’m thirty four! And loving it.
Last year, we had the same party at the exact same date. The following day when I tried to blog about it, I ended up writing a very insightful tune about my birthday wishes. Indulgent with the momentum, I readily posted a song demo for everyone to hear. You can listen/read about it HERE>>>
The song was realized and published on a proper record a year after and is included in “Bread and Circuses” EP as the only acoustic track in the collection. A simple one with a haunting melody over a root Am chord. To make the song extra special, I tied up with a couple musicians from Australia. Dan Shepherd (a slide guitarist), whom I met during his visit in the Manila, together with his friend Perrin Walker (a violinist), wrote and performed string sections and eventually bounced the recordings to me via email. You can hear their contribution beginning at 1:45 in the player below.
Robert Javier recorded my acoustic guitar and vocal takes, while the rest of the orchestrations that you will hear from beginning to end is produced and performed by Jonathan Ong of Sonicstate Audio, who is also responsible for mixing and mastering the track.
Birthday Wishes – The Camerawalls
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“…a lovely haunting tune, powerful in its Lennon-like lyricism. It has the gravitas of a prayer and the bittersweet insights of a songwriter on the eve of his birthday, reflecting on his life and then-current events (he refers to a female President).” Johanna Poblete, BusinessWorld
Birthday Wishes Words and Music by Clementine
I call upon the Universe To never take the shine off common people Whose eyes are still gleaming with hope I call upon the President To limit her ambitions There are far more greater things in life than power
I wish for peace and love A better country and a happy coexistence Longevity of the people I love All these years I think of nothing, no one but myself In birthday wishes Now I think of you. Now I think of you
I pray to you my sweetest Lord Paint us a portrait of your Love I sing to you my dearest friends Never cease believing Dreams do come true
I wish for peace and love A better country and a happy coexistence Longevity of the people I love All these years I think of nothing, no one but myself In birthday wishes Now I think of you. Now I think of you
Oh, grant me these wishes Oh, grant me these wishes Something good ends, something better will begin Something good ends, something better will begin And in this fog i use my heart as a compass And in the darkness, my faith is my lamp And in depression I learn the real value of living
Here’s a live clip taken during the EP launch, with Carlo Gaa sessioning on keyboards.
Birthday Wishes – The Camerawalls (Live at Ayala Museum)
All in all it has been a great week. Stressful and tiring, but for the most part fulfilling. (And) I’m grateful to all who contributed and made all these things happen. I leave you with my eternal, yearly birthday wishes. As eternal as I am an optimist, something better will always begin.
The Camerawalls 