JIGGER Thoughts

INDIEMAND @ Sazis Restobar NOV.13 Fahrenheit 43 (Aus)

2010-11-02T15:47:00.000-07:00

INDIEMAND @ Sazi’s Restobar

Saturday, NOV 13, 2010

8:30pm

Featuring:

Fahrenheit 43 (australia)

maryzark

dhruva tara

Flicker Fusion

Deninman

katoto

Naked Lights

Espiya

Basilica

100php gets you in with a 1 drink stub!
www.indiemandevents.com
www.myspace.com/fahrenheit43

BuzzNet Tags: Fahrenheit 43,maryzark,dhruva tara,Flicker Fusion,Deninman,katoto,Naked Lights,Espiya,Basilica

Watching The Wheels

2010-10-01T19:49:00.000-07:00

repost from http://lilystars-records.com

Announcing the third leg of The POP Shoppe! Music Series: A Call To Mind — This October we bring you a very special presentation, a delightful mix of music and arts to celebrate John Lennon’s 70th birthday entitled “Watching The Wheels“. All roads lead to Ayala Museum on Saturday, October 9 as we bring you 8 indie acts to perform Lennon covers and 13 young contemporary artists to display their visual interpretation of the event’s title on canvas. more

Technorati Tags: john lennon,birthday,ayala museum,watching the wheels,Lally Buendia (Domino),Outerhope,Swissy,Kate Torralba,Arigato Hato,The Gentle Isolation,Your Imaginary Friends,The Camerawalls,Sigwada Knicolai,Lhean Villanueva,Margo Rae Alesna,Yvette Co,Jehan Manansala,Lj Ablola,Dexter Sy,Eduard Angelo San Juan,Carlo Ongchangco,Jigger Cruz,Celene Grace Niguidula,Dionysus Gonzales,Napoleon Guerrero

THE ISLAND ROCK SHOW™ 6: SARIWAIN

2010-07-15T21:45:00.000-07:00

Malolos City, The Philippine Islands – “Enriching. This was a profound testament of how music can bring people together to create magic.” says Island Rock Entertainment (IRE)™ Executive Producer, MRD, trying to remember that night. IRE Creative Producer, Allen Alesna, remarked: "This was a truly historical gig. From Bulacan, Manila, Alabang & Cebu, artists converged to form a rock congress of sorts... and Malolos was the perfect setting for all this to happen. Here we make history. Here we see the future."

June 26, 2010, on a rainy Saturday night, IRE, in very close partnership with Bulacan powerhouse The MOB Music (The Movement for Original Bulacan Music) and local indie radio station WAP 88.7 FM, gave birth to a monster called The Island Rock Show 6: Sariwain.

The entire show was recorded live in The Outlook Bar, where droves of fans, friends and supporters came to experience the best of independent music in Bulacan. At the helm of this show was pop-jazz-rock band Dream Carousel.

"Tremendously moved. One hell of a show! Gigging doesn't get any better than this"

- Jam, Dream Carousel

Dream Carousel took the crowd back in time with their original but nostalgia-infused music, including These Little Things, Love Parade, Merry-Go-Round and of course, the show's namesake Sariwain.

Playing before Dream Carousel were some of Bulacan's best and key artists of The MOB Music: Mojo Rising, Popseeds & Blind Stereo Moon.

As an added bonus, other Island Rock artists from Bulacan, Manila, Alabang & even Cebu were present to jam with the group or simply lend their moral support. Present that night was Shelterr (IRS1), Speakeasy (IRS2), Black Summer (IRS3), Sundown Caffeine (IRS2), Bluewish, Capoeira, Stoplight Go, Junction and White Sunday.

"LEGENDARY. The Island Rock Show transcends genres and geographic boundaries to make one big happy indie music scene. IRE also has this knack for bringing great music and great people together. More power!"

- Julie, Blind Stereo Moon

Dream Carousel is:

Jam Hilario - Vocals
Allan Vergel de Dios - Drums
Mark Tolentino - Guitar
JP Ignacio - Bass Guitar
Roel Dela Cruz - Trumpet

To know more about Dream Carousel, visit their Myspace Page or their Facebook Page.

The Island Rock Show is a series of concerts that celebrates only the very best of independent music.

Island Rock Entertainment would like to thank The MOB Music, WAP 88.7 FM, i-amtv, Kalye Musika, & Y101fm.com for being our partners in this event. We also wish to thank the following sponsors and media partners for their sincere support for The Island Rock Show:

1. Underground Radio 105.9
2. Bandstand Philippines
4. Indie Pinoy
5. Radio Pilipinas
6. Magna Kultura Foundation
7. Agimat Music
8. IndieJam
9. Pinoy Rock Central
10. Darkus Central
11. Vibes Generic Recording
12. 1318 Music Recording Studio
13. San Miguel Beer
14. Global News Network
15. Chelsey Rehearsal Studio

Watch out for The Island Rock Show 7 where we will take you to the final frontier... to find pure gold.

The Island Rock Show. It's an experience.

del.icio.us Tags: the island rock show,music,rock,popseeds,blind stereo moon,mojo rising,philippines,bulacan,the mob music,Underground Radio 105.9,Bandstand Philippines,Indie Pinoy,Radio Pilipinas,Magna Kultura Foundation,Agimat Music,IndieJam,Pinoy Rock Central,Darkus Central,Vibes Generic Recording,1318 Music Recording Studio,San Miguel Beer,Global News Network,Chelsey Rehearsal Studio

THE ISLAND ROCK SHOW 5: MENTRAS TANTO

2010-07-15T21:41:00.000-07:00

Bacolod City, The Philippine Islands – “Sweet Party! Shamelessly Wicked!” is how Island Rock Entertainment (IRE) Executive Producer, MRD, describes part five of the fast-growing independent music concert series.

Last Saturday, April 17, 2010, IRE finally disembarked on the island of Negros to realize The Island Rock Show 5. The casual and inviting Café Joint became the scene of the crime and the main culprit was Negros reggae sensation The Wicked Tarsiers.

Café Joint was swarming with a couple of hundred fans and friends. Many of whom were members of the rich Bacolod art scene. The seasoned musicians were joined by local visual artists, filmmakers, writers and actors.

"I'll always remember this night like a lucid dream. Bacolod's art culture is a life form in itself, and it can engulf you in a snap. If you wanna experience it, just let go and be snuffed in a puff into a surrealistic ride of colours and music." said IRE Creative Producer, Allen Alesna.

The Wicked Tarsiers came to entertain, and they did just that… all night long. Their lingering set was graced with celebrated originals, including Mentras Tanto, Hurt Too Much, Dub Sick & How Long. Surprisingly, the band also covered Circles by Cebu's Raw Belief.

"Salamat gid Island Rock! This show was real steady. Rock steady. More power!", commented Wicked Tarsier Junjun Montelibano.

The Wicked Tarsiers were heralded by three equally wonderful performances by local jazz-rock group, Maskobado Groove, British jazz artist Louise Joachimowski & Bacolod punk rock group, Katumbal.

"As an international artist, it was incredible for me to see, feel and be a part of the local Filipino music scene. A great atmosphere and local support made it an honor for me to be a part of the Island Rock Show." said British jazz pianist, singer & songwriter Louise Joachimowski.

The Wicked Tarsiers for the night were:

Andre Jalandoni - Guitar / Vocals
Johnrick Ylosorio - Guitar
Moky Uychiat - Guitar
Poli Gonzalez – Keyboards
Rolf Baynosa - Bass Guitar
Manny Montelibano – Percussions / Vocals
Junjun Montelibano - Drums

To know more about The Wicked Tarsiers, visit their Official Website or their Facebook Page.

The Island Rock Show is a series of concerts that celebrates only the very best of independent music.

More photos here

IRE would like to thank i-amtv, Kalye Musika, & Y101fm.com for being our partners in this event. We also wish to thank the following sponsors and media partners for their sincere support for The Island Rock Show:

1. Underground Radio 105.9
2. Bandstand Philippines
4. Indie Pinoy
5. Radio Pilipinas
6. Magna Kultura Foundation
7. Agimat Music
8. IndieJam
9. Pinoy Rock Central

Watch out for The Island Rock Show 6 where we will take you deep into Philippine history and back again. Details to follow.

The Island Rock Show. It's an experience.

del.icio.us Tags: the island rock show,bacolod,philippines,reggae,wicked tarsiers,louise joachimiaoski,katumbal,maskovado groove,rock,punk,music,regional

THE ISLAND ROCK SHOW 4: CROSSING THE RUBICON

2010-02-27T21:36:00.000-08:00

Pasig City, The Philippine Islands – “Powerful, powerful stuff!” is all Island Rock Entertainment (IRE) Executive Producer, Mark Robert Dy, could say about the fourth show.

Last February 27, 2010, with the full backing of the Independent Asian Music Television (i-amtv), The Island Rock Show 4 finally happened at Guerrilla Radio restobar. This was a tremendous comeback for reggae rock band I-ray after a long hiatus from the scene.

"This was a great experience -- a musical juggernaut", was how I-ray frontman, Danniel Ancheta described the show.

Guerrilla Radio was packed with I-ray enthusiasts and newcomers (who certainly became converts by the end of the night). Supporters of the guest bands and IRS alumni also came to bring good rock & roll tidings to the night's performers.
"This was one of the best gigs we've ever played at. Good vibes, good music and great friends", commented I-ray guitarist Mac Viviezca.

I-ray exploded on stage with tremendous energy and wowed the audience once more with a ten-song set which included their greatest hits like Bloodshots, Cross the Rubicon, Safe, Eight-rayed Sun, Galleons High and even their own rendition of Wonderwall.

Setting the mood for the show were equally memorable performances by Lady Ransom, Flicker Fusion & Freefish.

"It was an awesome rockin' night. Long live IRS!", said I-ray bassist Mastey Alfonso at the end of the show.

I-ray is

Danniel Ancheta - Vocals
Mac Viviezca - Lead Guitars
Jamil Antonino - Rhythm Guitars
Mastey Alfonso - Bass
Marco Ho - Drums

To know more about I-ray, visit their Official Website or their Facebook Page.

The Island Rock Show is a series of concerts that celebrates only the very best of independent music.

More photos here

IRE would like to thank i-amtv, Kalye Musika, Y101fm.com & Rubber Duckie Music for being our partners in this event, also we would like to thank the following sponsors and media partners for their sincere support:

1. Underground Radio 105.9
2. Indie Pinoy
3. Radio Pilipinas
4. Jam Alley
5. Magna Kultura Foundation
6. Agimat Music
7. Bandstand Philippines

Watch out for The Island Rock Show 5 as we take you to the sugarlands of the south. Details to follow.

The Island Rock Show. It's an experience.

del.icio.us Tags: the island rock show,pasig,manila,rock,music,i-ray,freefish,flicker fusion,lady ransom

THE ISLAND ROCK SHOW 3: KILLING TIME

2009-12-29T20:25:00.000-08:00

Cebu City, The Philippine Islands – “Damn! It's great to be home.”, remarked Island Rock Entertainment (IRE) Producer, Mark Robert Dy.

Last December 30, 2009, the third Island Rock Show materialized in Cebu City's very popular Outpost Restobar. This concert was Black Summer's debut performance in Cebu, but it was also a homecoming for the Alesna brothers who grew up here.

"I'm out of words to describe the reception they gave us after all these years. It was definitely a great homecoming and an awesome gig. What a way to kill time. We hope to be back real soon.", said Black Summer frontman, Allen Alesna.

The Outpost was graced with a couple of hundred people, among whom were friends and families of the four bands who performed that night. Black Summer entertained the audience, both familiar and new, as they performed their most popular tunes, including Sana'y Dumating, Old Flame, Wounds, Lift Me Up, Paintings, Tonight, Drawing & 'Wag Nating Pilitin.

Equally powerful performances were made by Cebu bands Hastang, Juress & Sundown Caffeine.

"It was an awesome gig. A great crowd plus amazing Cebu talent equals one hell of a rock show.", said Black Summer bassist, Gboy Munsayac.

Black Summer is
Allen Alesna - guitar, lead vocals
Gboy Munsayac - bass guitar, vocals
Ian Alesna - drums, vocals

To know more about Black Summer, visit their Official Website or their Facebook Page.

The Island Rock Show is a series of concerts that celebrates only the very best of independent music.

See more photos of the show here

IRE would like to thank co-presenters Kalye Musika & Y101fm.com for being our partners in this event, also we would like to thank the following sponsors and media partners for their sincere support:

1. Underground Radio 105.9
2. The Independent Asian Music Television (i-amtv)
3. Indie Pinoy
4. Radio Pilipinas
5. Jam Alley
6. Magna Kultura Foundation
7. Agimat Music
8. Bandstand Philippines

Watch out for The Island Rock Show 4 this January. Details to follow.

The Island Rock Show. It's an experience.

del.icio.us Tags: black summer,rock,music,pop,cebu city,the outpost,sound,manila,philippines,island rock show

THE ISLAND ROCK SHOW 2: SPEAK YOUR MIND

2009-11-20T20:21:00.000-08:00

Parañaque City, The Philippine Islands – “It seems that rock and roll gets better the second time around”, says Island Rock Entertainment (IRE) creative producer, Allen Alesna.

Last November 14, 2009, IRE held its sophomore concert dubbed The Island Rock Show 2: Speak Your Mind. The show took place at one of the South's best venues, Checkpoint Louie's, and was designed to suit the taste and style of the rising indie rock group, Speakeasy. Checkpoint Louie's was tightly packed with the band's supporters, family and friends, some of whom had their very first wonderful taste of Speakeasy music.

Speakeasy lifted the crowd off its feet as they performed their most popular tunes, including Light a Cigarette, Pickle Tickle, You and Killing Time.

The band was heralded by powerful front performances by Eric Feliciano and Sundown Caffeine.

When we talked to them before the show, Speakeasy reported being ecstatic about serving as main act for the night. "We even flew in our drummer Edward from Cebu just for this night", said bassist Dean Hermano.

Speakeasy frontman, John Hermano, said of the show: “Absolutely fantastic! This is what a real rock show looks like... simple, well-planned, straight in-your-face good music and LOTS OF BOOZE!”

Speakeasy is
Dean Hermano - bass guitar, vocals
John Hermano - lead vocals, guitar
Wardy Andres - drums, vocals
Hem Rigonan - guitar, vocals

To know more about Speakeasy, visit their Myspace Page or their Facebook Page.

The Island Rock Show is a series of concerts that celebrates only the very best of independent music.

See more photos of the show here

IRE would like to thank the the following sponsors and media partners for their sincere support:

1. Underground Radio 105.9
2. The Independent Asian Music Television (i-amtv)
3. Indie Pinoy
4. Radio Pilipinas
5. Jam Alley
6. Magna Kultura Foundation
7. Agimat Music

Watch out for The Island Rock Show 3 this December. Details to follow.

The Island Rock Show. It's an experience.

del.icio.us Tags: speakeasy,band,island rock show,checkpoint louie's,parañaque,manila

THE ISLAND ROCK SHOW 1: THE BEGINNING

2009-09-29T12:47:00.000-07:00

Quezon City, The Philippine Islands – “When you go out on a limb for talent you believe in, magic simply happens”, said Island Rock Entertainment (IRE) producer, Mark Robert Dy.

Last September 25, 2009, IRE launched its debut concert dubbed The Island Rock Show 1: The Beginning. The concert transpired at the well-known Genre Bar of Cubao Expo and featured the fiercely-talented independent band called Shelterr.

Shelterr performed for a full hour to a packed bar of their closest friends and most loyal supporters. The band was ushered in with guest performances by other equally-talented bands: Black Summer, AjKA & Rubber Soul.

Shelterr frontman, Aaron Pasion, had this to say about the night: “I had a blast, but seeing people enjoy themselves made it even more special. Being part of the pool of struggling independent artists, the show made us proud and more inspired to continue shooting for the stars. Thank you IRE.”

The Island Rock Show is a series of concerts that celebrates only the very best of independent music.

del.icio.us Tags: island rock show,island rock,genre bar,quezon city,shelterr,indie,music,rock,pop,manila,cebu,philippines

SUNDOWN CAFFEINE CELEBRATES INDEPENDENT MUSIC AT THE MALL OF ASIA

2009-03-31T03:55:00.001-07:00

Press Release
For Immediate Distribution and Publication
March 24, 2009
Contact Info:
0918.906.2196 (MRD)
www.sundowncaffeine.com
sundowncaffeine@gmail.com

SUNDOWN CAFFEINE CELEBRATES INDEPENDENT MUSIC AT THE MALL OF ASIA

Bay City, Philippines – Independent rock band Sundown Caffeine joined an impressive roster of independent Filipino bands last Sunday night, March 22, at Cyberzone, Mall of Asia to celebrate the 2009 Indie Music Fest.
“This is another first for us -- t'was great opportunity to know other independent artists and see where they’re coming from”, said lead guitarist Conrad, while setting up his gear.

Sundown Caffeine performed five songs for the Sunday mall crowd:
1.    Cold Summer Nights (Francis Magalona cover - Rhythm & Bluesrock version)
2.    Even Angels Cry,
3.    Last Star,
4.    Nine Rivers, and
5.    Halo Effect
“The music business is down for the count, but these independent guerrilla movements are slowly proving that there is a way to break through. In this day and age, the traditional gatekeepers of the industry are being shoved aside. This is the age of the independent artist. It’s our time”, Sundown Caffeine vocalist MRD said passionately.
The Indie Music Fest was produced by Songwriters Philippines, Radio Pilipinas and Indie Pinoy. Sundown Caffeine would like to thank the people behind this production for inviting us to share our music with you.

SUNDOWN CAFFEINE AND BLACK SUMMER JOIN THE GATHERING AT RJ BAR

2009-03-31T03:54:00.001-07:00

Press Release
For Immediate Distribution and Publication
March 23, 2009
Contact Info:
0918.906.2196 (MRD)
www.sundowncaffeine.com
sundowncaffeine@gmail.com

SUNDOWN CAFFEINE AND BLACK SUMMER JOIN THE GATHERING AT RJ BAR

Makati City, Philippines – Rock groups Sundown Caffeine and Black Summer walked into fully packed RJ Bar late last Saturday night, March 21, to take part in a gathering of diverse visual and performance artists from all over Metro Manila. It was a grand event dubbed “Genre: Spring of Aphrodite” produced by IN-HOUSELive and covered by UR 105.9 FM.
“It was an interesting mix of people. Not bad. Not bad at all”, said bassist Gboy, as he downs his nth beer while watching the show.

Sundown Caffeine played well into the night with their familiar set list:
1.    Cold Summer Nights (Rhythm & Bluesrock version of a Francis Magalona cover)
2.    Even Angels Cry,
3.    Nine Rivers, and
4.    Last Star

The more experienced Black Summer went on stage immediately after that to perform four of their original songs:
1.    Sana'y Dumating,
2.    Wounds
3.    Old Flame, and
4.    Drowing
“The drum set was old and busted, but somehow, with a little alcohol and a sh*tload of guts, we finished the set and survived the night”, remarked drummer Ian.
Also present that night were the bands Tevanny, Flicker Fusion and Turbo Goth.

Press Release: Sundown Caffeine & Black Summer Wade with the Ducks at 6 UNDERGROUND

2009-03-31T03:53:00.001-07:00

Press Release
For Immediate Distribution and Publication
March 23, 2009
Contact Info:
0918.906.2196 (MRD)
www.sundowncaffeine.com
sundowncaffeine@gmail.com

SUNDOWN CAFFEINE AND BLACK SUMMER WADE WITH THE DUCKS AT 6 UNDERGROUND

Mandaluyong City, Philippines -- Indie rock bands Sundown Caffeine and Black Summer entered 6UG last Saturday, March 21 to perform in a Rubber Duckie Music production dubbed as “AbDUCtion 8”.
“It’s a great night to be a musician”, said Black Summer frontman Allen Alesna, as they were flanked by an army of old friends.

Black Summer performed four songs:
1.    Sana'y Dumating,
2.    Wounds
3.    Old Flame, and
4.    Drowing
Sundown Caffeine, a newcomer to the Manila music circuit, came second and performed:
1.    Cold Summer Nights (Rhythm & Bluesrock version of a Francis Magalona cover)
2.    Even Angels Cry,
3.    Nine Rivers, and
4.    Last Star

“What a pleasure to be around such talent. Many thanks to the wonderful people behind Rubber Duckie Music for inviting us to this intimate but remarkable gig”, said MRD of Sundown Caffeine gratefully.
Other bands who performed were Hedgezero, Freefish, Ursa Minor and Sexy Beast.

Technorati Tags: filipino music,alternative rock,indie,sundown caffeine,philippines,black summer,indiejam,indie pinoy

Press Release: Sundown Caffeine and Black Summer go OPM at the ALS Night of the Arts 2009

2009-03-31T03:23:00.001-07:00

Press Release
For Immediate Distribution and Publication
February 23, 2009

go OPM
at the ALS Night of the Arts 2009

Manila, Philippines -- Brother rock bands Sundown Caffeine and Black Summer performed at One Esplanade last Saturday night, February 21, 2009, joining scores of über-talented dancers, musicians and singers to celebrate Ateneo Law School’s Night of the Arts (NOTA).
NOTA was concert designed by three organizations of the Ateneo Law School: FORTE (musicians), SALSA (dancers) and the Ateneo Law School Choir. Only on its sophomore year, the ALS NOTA has been hailed as an exemplary achievement for the law school studentry. This year, the organizing team decided to call the show Musika Manila to celebrate the music of urban Manila and its rich artistic history.
Last year, members of the two bands joined forces to perform as one of the pioneer artists for the first ever Night of the Arts. This year, Sundown Caffeine and Black Summer returned to perform separately with renewed vigor. This time, they went all-Filipino.
IndieJam veterans, Sundown Caffeine started their set with a rhythm & bluesrock rendition of Francis Magalona’s Cold Summer Nights. Their second and third songs Nine Rivers and Last Star are band originals.

Dyna Music’s Black Summer started their set with their very own Sana’y Dumating, a pop rock song from the compilation album Tunog Kalye. Their second song was another original entitled Old Flame. Finally, the band officially closed the show with The Dawn’s Salamat, as the whole body of performers ran up on stage and danced to the music.

Like last year, the two bands ended the night with an 80’s rock rendition of Ateneo de Manila University’s Song for Mary.

Sundown Caffeine frontman MRD, who is himself an alumnus of the Ateneo Law School shares his thoughts: “The law students of Ateneo have come a very long way from being just students of the law. That is why we have this night – to unleash and celebrate the artist that lies buried behind those piles of Supreme Court cases and law books. I give nothing but the highest honor to everyone who made this happen. To be part of this for a second time, I am both proud and humbled. It’s good to be home.”

LiveJournal Tags: Sundown Caffeine,Black Summer,music,rock,contemporary,OPM

Overheard at the Sundown Café: Sundown Caffeine & Black Summer Go Acoustic at Fashion ART's Perya

2009-03-31T03:17:00.001-07:00

Overheard at the Sundown Café
March 28, 2009

Contact Info:
0918.906.2196 (MRD)
www.sundowncaffeine.com
sundowncaffeine@gmail.com

SUNDOWN CAFFEINE & BLACK SUMMER GO ACOUSTIC AT FASHION ART’S PERYA

Quezon City, Philippines – Indie rock bands Sundown Caffeine and Black Summerwent all unplugged at Fashion ART’s second anniversary party last Friday night, March 27, 2009. The private gathering of artists was dubbed “Perya: A Whimsical Fashion and Art Exhibit”, and celebrated the bizarre and the beautiful in a wide range of art forms. The two bands were the last to perform on the show.

Sundown Caffeine went on the well-decorated stage without lead guitarist Conrad, who was in Cebu for the weekend. The band performed three originals:
1.    Even Angels Cry,
2.    Nine Rivers and
3.    Halo Effect

Black Summer performed next with bassist Gboy doing secondary percussions and backup vocals due to the lack of a bass amp. The veteran indie band played:
1.    Wounds,
2.    Old Flame and
3.    Drowing
“Man! This was a good production. I wish we were here years ago”, said Black Summerfrontman Allen after his fourth cocktail.
“I haven’t had this much fun in a very long time. This was really great -- so many artists at the top of their games, all in one place. F*ART really knows how to throw a party”, said Sundown Caffeine frontman MRD while watching a magic trick.

Poets on stage were Raul Roco, Jr., Kooky Tuazon, Charms Tianzon, Richard Tuazon and Jeff Pagaduan. Mike Unson performed a great stand-up comedy routine. Magician Ron bedazzled the crowd with his quick hands and card tricks. Manny Gonzales & Laya performed Bossa Nova music.

repost from MRD

Technorati Tags: fart,acoustic,opm,art,fashion,sundown caffeine,music,black summer

Press Release: Sundown Caffeine & Black Summer Turn Freedomaniacs

2009-03-31T03:01:00.001-07:00

Press Release
For Immediate Distribution and Publication
March 25, 2009
Contact Info:
0918.906.2196 (MRD)
www.sundowncaffeine.com
sundowncaffeine@gmail.com

SUNDOWN CAFFEINE & BLACK SUMMER TURN FREEDOMANIACS

Quezon City, Philippines – Indie bands Sundown Caffeine and Black Summer joined eight other bands to play at the Tuesday leg of Freedom Bar’s Freedomania on March 24, 2009.
Black Summer performed past midnight, armed with three originals:
1.    Sana’y Dumating,
2.    Old Flame and
3.    Drowing

“I’m not a big fan of weekday gigs. May be fun but it takes a lot away from you. Well, you gotta do what you gotta do”, muttered Black Summer frontman Allen after their act.
Sundown Caffeine went on stage next to perform three of their personal favorites:
1.    Even Angels Cry,
2.    Nine Rivers and
3.    Last Star

“I’ve never been so distracted in my life. Between the alcohol, the sleep deprivation and with the bar exam results coming up, I wasn’t really much aware of what I was doing on stage tonight. I guess we did alright. Just have to keep on playing”, said Sundown Caffeine singer MRD.
The show ended at 3am. Other bands on the roster were Ruah, Teaf, Luczia, Kauri, Shelterr, Moisture, Imprenta, and Kandila.

Implicit Psalm – a repost from paintings.ph

2009-03-31T02:59:00.001-07:00

Phenomenal Women on Implicit Psalm

Mar. 17, 2009

"Implicit Psalm" a group exhibition of seven up and coming exciting women artists opened last March 6 at the Rotech Art Center in
Robinson's Galleria.

The artists Margo Rae Medina-Alesna, Sigwada Knicolai Mendoza, Jehan Manansala, Sarah Gaugler, Tif Guevara, Lee Paje and Monaliza Lhean Villanueva did a collection of 29 latest works on paper and canvases.

In this exhibit, the artists want to express their delight in the sacrifice involved in the creation and expression of their praise to God through their canvases.

Ambassador Roy V. Señeres, Hazel Señeres (President / General Manager of Our Father's

Coffee) and Mayor of Lanao Sultan HJ Abdullah Topaan Ditual Disomimba formally opened the show.
Sponsored by Our Father's Coffee, the show is on view until Monday, March 23.
For more information, Rotech Art Center is located at the 3rd Level of Robinson's Galleria, Edsa Node. Telephone # 687 3858. Also, visit the exhibit's official website http://implicitpsalm.tk

repost from http://www.paintings.ph

What’s happened to this world?

2009-03-31T02:53:00.001-07:00

the real business of the medical world is making money... education is about money... art is about money... eeeeverything is all about money

understandably powered by the "market economy"... but does everyone has to lose their souls... or maybe sell it... ?

Press Release: Sundown Caffeine & Black Summer Defy Superstition at Freedom Bar

2009-03-14T03:46:00.000-07:00

Press Release
For Immediate Distribution and Publication
March 14, 2009
Contact Info:
0918.906.2196 (MRD)
sundowncaffeine@gmail.com

SUNDOWN CAFFEINE AND BLACK SUMMER DEFY SUPERSTITION AT FREEDOM BAR

Quezon City, Philippines -- Independent Filipino rock bands Sundown Caffeine and Black Summer returned to Freedom Bar on Friday the 13th of March 2009 to defy all superstitious belief. This time, they performed sober and with high-energy results free from any sign of bad luck.
The bands were joined by dozens of their personal friends among a full crowd. "It was a generous show of support... made playing music so much easier", commented drummer, Ian Alesna.

Black Summer performed three songs:
1. Sana'y Dumating,
2. Old Flame, and
3. Drowing

Sundown Caffeine came second and performed:
1. Even Angels Cry,
2. Nine Rivers, and
3. Last Star
"This night was being free from superstition... being free to create", mentioned Black Summer frontman, Allen.
"No broken mirrors or black cats for us tonight. Just good music, cheap beer and great company.", said Sundown Caffeine vocalist, MRD.

www.sundowncaffeine.com

LiveJournal Tags: black summer,sundown caffeine,music,freedom bar,manila,rock

5 women-artists in Subliminal Cosmos

2009-03-01T05:59:00.001-08:00

5 women-artists in Subliminal Cosmos

February 16, 2009 10:31 PM

Posted under Showbiz and Style

INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Five young women artists have put their dreams
on canvas in Subliminal Cosmos, which opened Monday and runs until
February 27 at the Blue Line Gallery at Rustan’s Ayala.

The 18 works by Lee Paje, Jehan Manansala, Margo Rae Medina-Alesna,
Sigwada Knicolai Mendoza and Monaliza Lhean Villanueva are rendered in
acrylic, mixed media and oil in sizes ranging from 9 x 12 inches to 3
x 4 feet.

“We unfold unspoken dreams, broken pasts and our meanderings through
our canvases,” the exhibit notes penned by Villanueva, a freelance web
designer and content editor, say of the works.

Except for Paje, who is a Fine Arts student at the University of the
Philippines in Diliman, the other artists me at the UP-Cebu where they
were painting majors.
.
Manansala is a project computer aided architectural design (CADD)
engineer, Medina-Alesna is a preschool teacher, and Mendoza an art
teacher.

By Inquirer.net Editorial Staff

Press Release: Sundown Caffeine and Black Summer join other Musicians and Erotic Poets to Celebrate Love and Lust at Freedom Bar

2009-03-01T05:58:00.001-08:00

Press Release
For Immediate Distribution and Publication
February 25, 2009

SUNDOWN CAFFEINE AND BLACK SUMMER JOIN OTHER MUSICIANS AND EROTIC POETS TO CELEBRATE LOVE AND LUST AT FREEDOM BAR

Rock bands Sundown Caffeine and Black Summer performed at the celebrated Freedom Bar of Anonas Street last night, Tuesday, February 24, 2009, alongside several other artists.

Produced by Matilda 7 and In House Live!, the event was dubbed ‘Love and the Muse’ and designed to be celebration of music and poetry about love, lust and everything between the sheets. With such a familiar subjects, the members of the two bands eagerly dove in.

Black Summer began with their carrier single Sana’y Dumating a song about yearning. The followed it up with their latest composition, Wounds, which spoke of the struggle of healing. Their third song was the familiar Old Flame – a story about regret. Finally, they ended with Drowing, a song about confusion and frustration.

Sundown Caffeine initiated their performance with the favorite Even Angels Cry, which more than anything else, talks about emotional equality. Their second song, Last Star, was louder and heavier, characteristic of its subject matter: sardonic bitterness. Nine Rivers, a reflection of recent past hurts and an attempt in self-consolation was their third piece. They ended with Halo Effect, a song about delusional attraction.

It was a simple but wonderful gathering, overflowing with beer and pulutan as it was Sundown Caffeine guitarist Conrad Cruz’s birthday. Problem was, the band members might have had just a little too much fun before their performances.

SC vocalist, MRD says “Three Red Horses before a gig is a bad idea. I’d be lucky if was able to hit half my notes. I couldn’t understand what was going on around me. Everything was a blur and I just played from pure instinct. But how can I complain? This has to be the reason why they call this the Freedom Bar. (laughs)”

Both bands agree that the grit and feel of the place was right on the money. “Grassroots and very real”, Black Summer frontman Allen describes. Bassist Gboy said that it “... takes me back to college… UP days.”

Subliminal Cosmos

2008-12-31T12:45:00.000-08:00

Five women, the sublime, and a date with the cosmos. Come and see five up and coming artists and their recent works to be showcased in BlueLine Gallery, Located at the 4th Floor of Rustans Makati. Entitled "Subliminal Cosmos", the show projects the subtle divide of the conscious and subconscious. It’s a come-on come-all on the 7th of February 2009. Show runs till the 27th.

Artists: Lee Paje, Jehan Manansala, Margo Rae Alesna, Sigwada Knicolai Mendoza, and Monaliza “Lhean” Villanueva
Opening Date: Saturday, February 7, 2009
Time: 5:00 - 9:00pm

Location: BlueLine Gallery
Address: 4/F Rustans, Ayala Avenue, Makati City
Website: bluelinegallery@multiply.com

del.icio.us Tags: lee paje,jehan manansala,margo rae medina alesna,sigwada knicolai mendoza,monaliza lhean villanueva,subliminal cosmos,art exhibit,blue line gallery,rustan's,makati,metro manila,philippines

SMALL GIGS (1/3)

2008-09-09T15:22:00.000-07:00

I've been going around manila, ever since I moved here, to find the best places to hang out, hear live performers or maybe just to know the best eats and chill. With the city's ever 'market friendly' environment (read market drowned with choices), one can get fooled instantly to the goings on and what's not. If there's one thing I learned in school that ever applies to this place, it would be "Don't (ever ever ever) judge a book by its cover". When you're someone who comes from a much more suburban environment, Manila can be overwhelming.

So I tried the most happening spots and the not so happening spots and in a lot of ways, they're not what it seems. Take for example Hard Rock Cafe, it hardly rocks most of the time. The place is nicely set-up but I'd rather be in 19 East if you ask me. Unless if one is going for a cover band, this might be the place if you also have that much money to burn. Entrance fee alone is quite steep considering that it's not as consumable is should be. In Makati, there's been hardly any place to go anymore. Ever since the local mayor banned smoking inside indoor joints, the bar scene in that area has been at its lowest low. Except for the Greenbelt spots which offers both indoor and outdoor seating, the other places are hardly filled on regular days.

I remember a few years back when C. Palanca offered more than just food to its guests. The array of live music choices is pretty diverse that there's a place for everyone. Bad memory isn't serving me well right now so forgive for missing out on the names of these places. But coming from De La Rosa, turning left to Palanca, you're greeted with this corner nook with an acoustic live seen. I remember this hot funky chick Wendy, she is teamed with a second guitar player, an amazing one at that, named Raymond. Amazing duo. Back then when the acoustic scene was such a buzz, this team went a notch higher than your typical. Playing classics up to contemporary.

Moving forward down fifty meters are three closely situated spots. Amazingly, their genres never collide. If you like contemporary independent/ or signed bands, Guielos is it. They have a branch in Eastwood City which now runs the new ClubDredd on its second floor. Right after it is 6 Underground, (the bar not the song by Sneaker Pimps), its the old basement that use to house 'Kalye'. It's a much more 'underground' scene, a its name connotes. Mostly unsigned and independent acts, this was the place years back. The crowd's easy going and everyone can be "all you want to be". Eyes train on you though if you get over the top with who you're trying to be, meaning, if you're getting cheeky. Across these two bars is a resto that transforms three hundred sixty degrees over when it's late in the night. I hung out here more often cause they've got better food, among other things. The name also got me curious if the owners intentionally coined it from a spot of the same name in Chicago IL. Nonetheless, they seemed to have their own identity of sort. I heard though that their address is numbered 110 hence the moniker. The crowd here is much more diverse than the former two. From corporate yuppies to artists, this place didn't seem to lose appeal for any. On regular days, you can be serenaded by an acoustic duo or trio, or a piano bar style set-up. On midweek and weekends particularly, it's a rollercoaster ride of genres, and it's usually full band. I particularly noticed a trio though that did a month stint over at that place. I was awestruck by their diversity and propensity to play pretty complex tunes considering their limitations, being a three piece and all. And you'd never hear a void or null within their songs.

One of things that always leave me curious is where have all those talent gone. If they ever were signed up or discovered, why don't I hear of them. Or perhaps I'm simply not listening. Or perhaps they've gone to oblivion. The reason for these thoughts, well I hardly see groups nowadays that nail me to my seat. Maybe they're boring in itself, either the place or the performers, or everyone's simply doing what everyone's doing. But the Palanca strip is definitely still a place to chill hence I still keep going back.

BuzzNet Tags: manila,makati,gigs,night life,Eastwood City,Clubdredd,19 east,Bistro 110 Hard Rock Cafe,Greenbelt,entertainment,music

Even Better Than The Real Thing

2008-09-09T15:20:00.000-07:00

I was able to strategically seat ourselves dead center in the row, lucky to have bought the first ticket to todays great rock show. Donning with funky shades, I sat and wait. And finally, one of the greatest bands to walk the earth in our generation, right before your eyes, next to you, behind you, playing to you... U............2....... 3D... in IMAX.

But here's the real score of the picture, its the first rock band to have been made into 3D film in IMAX, with the band itself being great... the film just comes to be a great leap in popular entertainment. The whole film was actually shot from the "Vertigo Tour", hence the consistency in the production. The film opens with "Beautiful Day", with the band set up just at close distance from you as though you were sitting 20 feet from the stage. From that stance, you're in a concert, it feels real enough that you can almost literally rub elbows with the rest of the audience. Then you're thrown to a cinematrographical ride that is like no other. You dolly-in and around the stage and tilt down at Larry Mullen as the camera crane dangles you over his drum kit, so close you can almost grab his tambourines. Then Adam Clayton embraces you with his bass staccatos, you don't hear it... you feel it. Then you plunge into The Edge's warmth its impossible not to rock along with it, I see everyone just knocking their heads, now this is a concert. Then it gets better as Bono serenades you with his engaging voice, he's "so close" yet "far away". To top it all, I guess one of the things that made it more alive is the sound, (aside from my bias on this area, being that I do digital sound engineering and design as a hobby). after all, without the auditory senses, everything is just a gallery of pictures. IMAX production is sooo much unique to traditional film that the experience itself is unimaginable. I was particularly enamored with the "emphasis" shots, where the camera dollies to as they play it down then you move close to The Edge as he knocks on his guitar, and you could hear it. With U2's strong message, you get enveloped with an aural encounter that is nonpareil it makes you feel "One" with the band. It might just be "Even Better Than The Real Thing!" - allen a.

Technorati Tags: U2,3D,IMAX,music,entertainment,movies,best,art,rock,bono,edge,larry,adam,film,event

COFFEE AND ALL

2008-09-08T07:20:00.001-07:00

Fifty degrees Celsius of water pours down my 16oz. Starbucks ceramic mug and I’m sitting like duck on what the heck am I to write on this sheet. And you’d probably be wondering why I’m on “instant”, and it’s my second by the way. Its for the reason that Starbucks coffee simply ain’t coffee. I know a local café that could whip up my favourite latte five times better than what this venti size of a corporate brewer can. And you were probably thinking I’d give you a turn around on this thing, well not today. I know places that can give you a jolt it’s like having your state-of-the-art bio-mechanics glued to your spine down to your nerves and electrifying your neurotransmitters it could light up the whole city. It might be overkill but that’s just how I feel about ‘gourmet coffee’.

I remember the time when I first came to the metro, that was around ten years ago, and the first thing that was in my mind was to get myself my first cup of Starbucks. While some typical male ego would probably think about where to party in the strange land, I on the other hand was thinking about getting my daily dose. I remember handling my first brewed coffee straight from the roaster, handling the beans with my bare hands. And by the moment it cooled off a bit, I ground it myself. Yes, we are coffee drinkers all right. Back in the past my mother would down five cups a day. Take that away from her and she’d be sleeping like a baby. So it’s bad but hey, so is fast-food and everything else in excess. At some point I had to tell her to keep it down cause it was compromising her health. Now she keeps it at two cups max.

Nowadays, you look around and all you get is the over brewed concept of branding. It smells like burnt coffee, disgustingly nice. You pace one hundred steps from your nearest coffee shop and it’s another coffee shop. Corporate behemoths are brilliant in branding, it’s like when God created Adam and Eve, and their brand is your apple. And to top it all, the ambiance, the colour and their smile hits you as if you were in a war where only the other side’s got the high-tech weaponry. It actually reminds me of this Jim Carrey movie, Truman Show. In the Philippines, can it be any worse? It might just be. Come to think of it, we might just be in the same set-up. Like cows being herded to the butcher house. And where do we bleed? Through our pockets we do.

But then again we live in a capitalist world economy where every sweat is a buck, your blood is their funding and the market stall is passé, for branding is today’s hub. Be it your Wi-fi hub, gaming hub, socializing hub, check out hub, pick-up hub, magazine and newspaper hub etc… it doesn’t matter. Wherever it is, if the name is burned unto your brain, it will sell. The truth of the matter is that we’re just a bunch of prototypes and puppets running around on one psychological plain controlled by Herculean capitalists. Think of it like your monopoly game, and we’re the dust on the board, not even the pieces. And would I stop going around these shops? I don’t know. It depends whose move it is next.

LiveJournal Tags: branding,brewing,capitalists,cebu,coffee,Jim Carey,life,market economy,metro manila,neurotransmitters,starbucks

Life

2008-08-19T21:35:00.001-07:00

So I was contemplating on my life, the years that passed, the months that flew, the days gone, the departed hours and the ticking seconds. Has it really been that long? I ask myself. Just a while back, I was this loner kid that ate lunch in the gymnasium instead of the cafeteria. And while everyone would be playing ball with everyone else in the hard court, I’d be in the library but reading. I was courting images from pages and pages. It wasn’t what those hard bounds were all about, it was about how they were coloured. Images of planes, skies, stars and outer-space. Sooner later, I’d be wandering in empty yonder trying to get by, moving with the flow of the synaptic highways. Then I’d be snapped back into the classroom with my teacher calling my attention back to the ground.

Past forward, classroom clatter was more like bumps and ticks of a vinyl record, or tape noise out from an overplayed cassette. Enters the music years of my pre-teens, the time when sitting on my ear baffles was my Saturday afternoons. Then I would conjure up images on paper that would be looking like album covers rather than dinosaurs and toy soldiers. Images were dark yet funky, colourful but sweet.

Then the notes came into play. After years of listening to records, I reckoned I’d rather that I make something out of my own. Befriended the ebony and ivory keys, entertained the lot buddies and made people happy. Yet I was happier that when I would do so, they just left me be while they sat in their fascination. At twelve when the collective was into crushes, hanging out, and getting the newest game gadget, I was looking out for the next pop hit to play or learning how to sequence the drums of my first song. And when all’s too crowded, I seclude to my sketch pad.

College onwards and three bands later, life became a concept, a paradigm. And I… an oblation. The visual arts education taught me to dig deep yet fly beyond the horizon at the same time. But this had a share of tangible experience that one could really say the best of the best and the unimaginable worst. From the leader that leads a pack to turn the faculty’s heads up-side-down and bow, to the things that made deans frown. It was the “bold, the beautiful and the ugly”. Did I get enough, maybe I had more than enough in the seven years that be. But that tattooed my philosophy on the skin of my soul.

After more than seven by seven years, I’m still that little boy alone in the museum of life. Where people are a mere portraits hung on the walls. Conversations are poetry in the book of parody. And the urban landscape is a masterpiece being sculpted by grime while I take baby steps to that dream I left in the sidewalk of that campus.

Four solo exhibits later, the world seems to be more colourful than I originally thought. But these colours unseen were colours that can’t be stroked on canvas. The Metro is filled with people so diverse as compared to a provincial city where everything is analogous. Adult life is a contentious tango. You either dance with it or live like a hermit. But I on the other hand would rather recluse to the stage. Cause when the spot light is on, I’d be blinded by the colours and people are just shadows that speak to me in whisper and murmuring tone. In the mean time, standby for my next song.

SMALL GIGS (1/3)

2008-08-17T22:04:00.000-07:00

BuzzNet Tags: manila,makati,gigs,night life,Eastwood City,Clubdredd,19 east,Bistro 110 Hard Rock Cafe,Greenbelt,entertainment,music

Black Rice

2008-07-04T23:39:00.000-07:00

For the past four years now, I noticed that there has been a surge of south east Asian cuisine. Well of course, we're In that area too. But most specifically, Vietnamese and Thai, and in some nook out there, Indonesian.

I became more curious with Thai food though, as I've frequented in one, Krua-Thai. Their food is really something new and refreshing especially for the Filipino tongue that is fond of overwhelming flavors.

One day, when I was "broke" and wanted something totally different for lunch, I thought I 'd whip up something for myself and do a "Thai" inspired meal, though more like a bastardized kind of Thai recipe. For lack of a better term, I called it "Black Rice". Ingredients are very simple, though I really had to make some substitution to a lot of it.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup olive oil

chopped garlic 1/3 cup

chopped onion 3/4 cup

soy sauce 1/2 cup (silver swan preferred)

egg plant, sliced in strips

ampalaya (however and how much you want it; I'd go around half a cup to one)

1 teaspoon crushed pepper corn

a teaspoon sugar

2 cups of cooked rice (dry not moist)

tomatoes, sliced - 2

This one's a pretty simple recipe, just put them in a non stick frying pan, ordinary pan would do fine as well.

Pre-heat the oil at high heat. Adding the garlic and onions, put it to medium heat so as not to burn them. The soy sauce comes in after, letting it simmer for less than a minute, enough time for the flavors to blend. Eggplant comes next, this one you'd have to stir a bit from time to time then cover the lid at 10sec intervals approximately. When it starts to soften, add the rice and the crushed pepper, then pour the ampalaya thereafter. This part can be a lot of work. If you remember your cook or mom preparing paella, this one's something close to that end process where you have to keep folding the rice in. Do this for a minute till the soy-sauce has coated on each grain. This should take no more than 2 minutes with a wooden ladle. The constant stirring also prevents the rice from burning too. I do turn the heat to the lowest low when doing so. In the middle of that wrestling procedure, pour in the sugar. Finally the tomatoes, I intentionally put them last so it wouldn't get soggy. I always like my tomatoes a bit fresh. This also retains much of its nutrients. Just rest them on top of the rice, no stirring needed. Cover the pan and let it simmer for a minute or so.

There yo

u go, a really simple recipe that's almost a gourmet.

Happy eating!!!

P.S.

oh, I added egg, cooked sunny side up after I did the one in the pic.

LiveJournal Tags: cooking,thai inspired,soy sauce,pepper,rice,tomatoes,sugar,garlic,onions,cook,delicious,quick recipe,food presentations

"Even Better Than The Real Thing"

2008-07-01T13:23:00.000-07:00

I've had only a handful experience in IMAX, well it hasn't really been that long for it to be around, but this IMAX presentation of U2 is probably the best yet. I can only be biased though since U2 has been a very influential part of my musical journey, so forgive my indulgence... hehe. This production really sparked my curiosity for a number of reasons, one is that a live concert, as it is, always pose a multitude of hurdles. I've worked with a number of productions in the past and it seems that you can never cover all your bases. Its about sorting things in real time without compromising the show, its calculus without the numbers. Imagine this, it would take at least 36hours to set-up all those equipment, 4 hours to pack it up... and the show runs 1.5 hours. Now couple this with IMAX's logistical challenge, factor in your window of opportunity to shoot it... ok ok... i might have gone over the top a bit on that, its not like i've produced an IMAX film. hahaha... (But don't just take my word for it, check wikipedia on how they went about with production and you''ll get the idea of what I'm talking about, )

But here's the real score of the picture, its the first rock band to have been made into 3D film in IMAX, with the band itself being great... the film just comes to be a great leap in popular entertainment. The whole film was actually shot from the "Vertigo Tour", hence the consistency in the production. The film opens with "Beautiful Day", with the band set up just at close distance from you as though you were sitting 20 feet from the stage. From that stance, you're in a concert, it feels real enough that you can almost literally rub elbows with the rest of the audience. Then you're thrown to a cinematrographical ride that is like no other. You dolly-in and around the stage and tilt down at Larry Mullen as the camera crane dangles you over his drum kit, so close you can almost grab his tambourines. Then Adam Clayton embraces you with his bass staccatos, you don't hear it... you feel it. Then you plunge into The Edge's warmth its impossible not to rock along with it, I see everyone just knocking their heads, now this is a concert. Then it gets better as Bono serenades you with his engaging voice, he's "so close" yet "far away". To top it all, I guess one of the things that made it more alive is the sound, (aside from my bias on this area, being that I do digital sound engineering and design as a hobby). after all, without the auditory senses, everything is just a gallery of pictures. IMAX production is sooo much unique to traditional film that the experience itself is unimaginable. I was particularly enamored with the "emphasis" shots, where the camera dollies to as they play it down then you move close to The Edge as he knocks on his guitar, and you could hear it. With U2's strong message, you get enveloped with an aural encounter that is nonpareil it makes you feel "One" with the band. It might just be "Even Better Than The Real Thing!" - allen a.

Technorati Tags: U2,3D,IMAX,music,entertainment,movies,best,art,rock,bono,edge,larry,adam,film,event

MURAL PROJECT

2008-06-26T13:10:00.001-07:00

So Margo & I has been getting back into painting for a while now. Her most recent work that be is entitled "Sensory Overload", a 3ft. x 4ft. oil on canvas painting. I did some small works in mix media which won me a few bucks. But perhaps the most exciting one we've done is one that we did together. A mural commissioned by an old friend, Joy Soliven-Belardo. So it's kinda "cutesey" but hey, it was great collaborating with my wife. The room is roughly 17ft x 12ft, if I remember it correctly. Three fourths of the wall was painted, the bottom fourth was the dresser and the cabinets, an area we agreed to leave off to make it a visual "breaker" of sort.

Hope you enjoy looking at the pics as we enjoyed doing it... hehe.

messing up the floor here

serious

huh!!@#$

"Even Better Than The Real Thing"

2008-04-14T10:17:00.000-07:00

Your cueing up on line to the entrance and already you're hearing guitars, drums, bass and that voice so familiar wailing in stadium reverb. Everyone's on waiting time listening to a piped in hit of this phenomenal band, you're out so eager yet relaxed.

I was able to strategically seat ourselves dead center in the row, lucky to have bought the first ticket to todays great rock show. Donning with funky shades, I sat and wait. And finally, one of the greatest bands to walk the earth in our generation, right before your eyes, next to you, behind you, playing to you... U............2....... 3D... in IMAX.

I've had only a handful experience in IMAX, well it hasn't really been that long for it to be around, but this IMAX presentation of U2 is probably the best yet. I can only be biased though since U2 has been a very influential part of my musical journey, so forgive my indulgence... hehe. This production really sparked my curiosity for a number of reasons, one is that a live concert, as it is, always pose a multitude of hurdles. I've worked with a number of productions in the past and it seems that you can never cover all your bases. Its about sorting things in real time without compromising the show, its calculus without the numbers. Imagine this, it would take at least 36hours to set-up all those equipment, 4 hours to pack it up... and the show runs 1.5 hours. Now couple this with IMAX's logistical challenge, factor in your window of opportunity to shoot it... ok ok... i might have gone over the top a bit on that, its not like i've produced an IMAX film. hahaha... (But don't just take my word for it, check wikipedia on how they went about with production and you''ll get the idea of what I'm talking about, )

But here's the real score of the picture, its the first rock band to have been made into 3D film in IMAX, with the band itself being great... the film just comes to be a great leap in popular entertainment. The whole film was actually shot from the "Vertigo Tour", hence the consistency in the production. The film opens with "Beautiful Day", with the band set up just at close distance from you as though you were sitting 20 feet from the stage. From that stance, you're in a concert, it feels real enough that you can almost literally rub elbows with the rest of the audience. Then you're thrown to a cinematrographical ride that is like no other. You dolly-in and around the stage and tilt down at Larry Mullen as the camera crane dangles you over his drum kit, so close you can almost grab his tambourines. Then Adam Clayton embraces you with his bass staccatos, you don't hear it... you feel it. Then you plunge into The Edge's warmth its impossible not to rock along with it, I see everyone just knocking their heads, now this is a concert. Then it gets better as Bono serenades you with his engaging voice, he's "so close" yet "far away". To top it all, I guess one of the things that made it more alive is the sound, (aside from my bias on this area, being that I do digital sound engineering and design as a hobby). after all, without the auditory senses, everything is just a gallery of pictures. IMAX production is sooo much unique to traditional film that the experience itself is unimaginable. I was particularly enamored with the "emphasis" shots, where the camera dollies to as they play it down then you move close to The Edge as he knocks on his guitar, and you could hear it. With U2's strong message, you get enveloped with an aural encounter that is nonpareil it makes you feel "One" with the band. It might just be "Even Better Than The Real Thing!" - allen a.

Wall-bound thoughts

2007-12-07T12:52:00.000-08:00

(posted from Sun-Star Cebu November 15, 2005 issue)

By Ritchie Landis Doner Quijano

Most artists are few in words and aren’t adept in writing. Thus, some of their works are left untitled.They seldom keep written records of documentation, journals or diaries. But it is not really the visual artist’s responsibility to write. For the University of the Philippines-trained painter Allen Alesna, the option is to record his experiences in a visual journal. He makes this itemization of his artistic development in periods of years: the years spent in studying fine arts and his post-school work, for example.

The seven years that took him to finish school was something he remembers as an “anxiety-driven trip”. The next three-and-a-half years was a hiatus, he having been absorbed by the working class doing commercial and applied art as a product designer and graphic artist.

Soon, he got bored in the office enclosure, good thing those box-like empty white walls that surrounded him didn’t have a claustrophobic effect on his creativity.

Alesna likened them to big imaginary blank canvasses where he let his imagination run free, painting them with thoughts and daydreams. For him “this came to be a temporary refuge from the stress at work”. Soon after the nitty-gritty of office work, those invisible thoughts became more vivid as they materialized on paper. A perfect escape from the daily grind.

getting back to my music

2007-06-01T02:37:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since my last studio work, two years almost and need I say that I miss it even more than I originally thought I did. For the past months, I'm cooped up in my "home studio" cutting my own tracks with Gboy(on bass). Incidentally, it was both of us who cut 4 tracks in a studio two years back, he's probably one of the musicians I've worked with the longest. Its rock 'n roll's classic story, breaking-in and breaking-up. (I should write a blog on that). Incidentally still, the last track that we cut in the studio were the same tracks that is out in the Original Motion picture Soundtrack of the movie "ANGELS", a tri-bill movie of 3 directors with Marvin Agustin, Jennylyn Mercado and Angel Locsin, produced by the latter.

The album has 14 songs by different artists, led by the theme song “For the Rest of My Life”, which has two versions, one by Kyla and the other one by Jennylyn Mercado. Other great cuts are “Far Away From Me” by Soulstring, “My Angel” by Aryana, “Soulmates” by Jig and “Sigaw ng Puso” by Neon Sazon.(Mario E. Bautista www.journal.com). The other song I did that's included in the album is "Tuwing Ikay Kasama", written with producer Barney Borja and Randy Donaire, the final arrangement was done by myself and Gboy.

So with two existing tracks already done, I'm left with one song to work on, thanks to my producer Barney for that, a long time friend and fellow composer. Jennylyn's "Maari Ba", composed by Barney is arranged by Dennis Quila and I added my acoustic guitar track to breathe life unto the song. The recording was done in Pink Noise, engineered by Awit Awardee Nici Cunanan, and need I say that its one of the best studios I've worked in. Its such a great opportunity to work on this album as I was able to do another song "Anghel sa Panaginip", an outake that's inspired from the same motion picture. The whole track was recorded in my home studio with a full arrangement, finishing the project from the lyrics-composition and arrangement in less than a week. The lyrics was written by myself and Margo Rae Medina, a painter/artist/educator whom I've shared a lot of song writing for a long time now, amongst other things. If all goes well, this will finally come to an album that I intend to release soon. This will be the second album project actually, the first was a solo project three years ago that was never released and I thought its high time to do a follow thru. Do grab the album "Angels". Till next gig!!! - 2006

how did it come to this... ? ? ?

2006-12-12T15:08:00.000-08:00

A month ago, a dream yanked me off my sleep. Bangungot, or nightmare if you put it in english, disrupted my midday slumber waking up in cold sweat at noon time. This tropical polluted weather made it even worse. The air is dense of humid moisture mixed with elements unkown, and some known. When you live on the 4th floor, you think you're better off from the ones on the ground, mind you, smog goes up and not settle on ground level. So now, you're unsure which is the real nightmare here.

Sleep is a luxury I have been longing to acquire if not purchase if can be for the past four months now, maybe five or maybe longer. I'm not so sure anymore, perhaps as a result of sleep deprivation. While it has not taken a toll on my motor nerves, its frying my brain inside out. Iv'e know people blow their brain often, but head implosion seem to be the situation here. As a result, my carcadian rythm is forcing itself to reset in its natural, and need I say better, time zone. Its either that or a synaptic melt down.

I am not new to working long hours till morning. As a student of Fine Arts a few years back, overnight sessions was a common practice in U.P. We found the after hours in the school's studio/classrooms more conducive when painting. Not because we were nocturnal but more of the atmosphere, when everyone has left. Its silent in the hallways because not many people come in and out and also no classes are held at night. So we had the studio all to ourselves for as long as we want with no disruptions whatsoever. And since almost everyone in school has gone home, you don't get those inviting distractions to the tambayans, inumans and the girls, especially from the other programs. Forgive me, but the female population in U.P. simply has that undefinable appeal that I can't fail to mention here. So with all that out of the way, you can get to your creative momentum before you could finish your first cigarette. Oh yes, a pack of cigarettes is part of the arsenal together with your oils and brushes. And of course, its a no sleep session till before the sun goes up, or you can opt to hit the sack earlier than everyone else. And that would be around past midnight or maybe earlier if its simply not the night for you. Perfectly normal if you ask me. In many of these sessions, we talk about theories in art and its philosophy. I found it a good practice to exchange ideas and thoughts about each other's work. Not so much to criticize nor praise each othere's work, but rather stimulate each other's neurons and fuel that creative passion. I guess this is why we're kept awake, its like an endless broadcast of neurotransmitters. Perhaps the nicotine regulated the traffic and avoided a jam. Its the MMDA in every synapse... or maybe I'm just rationalizing the purpose of smoking. But this is no psychological exercise it is simply how it works.

Two months further back, I got my 24th pay-check and that meant one thing, I got thru my first year here, and it has not been easy. Working on a night shift is so much different than I had originally thought. And now I ask myself, how did it come to this... How did I come to this!

2006-02-15T18:08:00.000-08:00

Painting my Music

2005-09-08T15:31:00.000-07:00

THE PICTURE OF SOUND... 22x30 in water colour.

A painting I did two (or was it three) years ago. At that time, my music was bugging, more like begging, me to come out. After a short hiatus, the call of those notes rang in my ear. Three month after this painting, I was back to the studio recording new songs, without a band this time.

Ian my brother who use to play drums with me in a 3 piece band named YOUTH-SKY now sessions as a guitarist in some of the songs.

This was performed by the now defunct YOUTH-SKY. (2002)
Allen - vox-guitars
Ceasar - bass
Ian - drums

the music struggles on...

2005-06-24T04:05:00.000-07:00

Started off as YOUTH SKY - 2002 The music evolved since but singer songerwriter musician Allen Alesna maintained the musical exploits of Youth Sky. From the untimely demise of 3 piece band YouthSky, playing with drummer Ian of Sundown Caffeine and Ceasar Labajos, the music grew to poppish easy listening. ALLENWRENCH - 2004-2005 and now JIGGERTHOUGHTS - He moved on to more gigging with current bass player Gboy Munsayac, another all around musician. Completing the line-up with fellow song writer Sonny Lopez as drummer. Weekly gigs finally polished live performances to formidable heights that it brought them from the bar scene to the concert stages, as either a support or main act and radio exposure to add. But studio work has been something to reckon with. Its been years from YouthSky, and the early recordings had to move forward to a full album. In an unfortunate event, Sonny had to leave the band for a while and tracking was left to be done by Allen and Gboy. As this story goes on... the music struggles on...

Finding Direction

2003-05-06T18:45:00.000-07:00

Four years have passed and I'm still at it. From that eventful exhibit at the Ayala Center Cebu, then at the Waterfront Hotel and City Sports Club-Cebu, I am now running my fourth solo here in KAHAYAG. Finally with a bit more ease at celebrating art in public places.

Yet to where my art is leading to is still with no defined certainty. There, of course, is a goal. And that is for my art to flourish by creating an impact to people, whoever and wherever I bring it to. As an exhibiting artist, it is my belief that art holds a role to society, like everything else. An artist therefore is expected a moral standard if he, or at best his art, is to remain relevant in the community. Art can be a powerful medium if stroked with the right brush, just as electronic-media today has come to consume, or worse, control our lives. Though one is not obligated unto a particular philosophy of and for his art, he/she should be held responsible for whatever effect his/her art might cause. It is in this idea that I try to create a certain element in my work that either in the shade of intellectual angle, or in aesthetics that somehow elicit a bit of positive emotion in the end, regardless of its approach. But as much as I contain a more narrow idea in an attempt to create cohesiveness with the collection, sometimes ideas cannot be prevented from splattering just anywhere. And when it gets too exciting, I put some restraint, at least keeping the visual idea hold together.

This show in KAHAYAG practically recaps my journey over the three shows that I went through. It is making me pause and think to check on my “creative map”, where the best path for my journey is. I invite you to this journey… the journey that attempts to comprehend the direction that leads to my art. - July 2003