Recently, Cunejo keeps giving teaser on their facebook page about what's cooking this 2021. They are very specific that they will release their new single 'Restart' this June. And they did not disappoint fans because they just release the new single today. The band's comeback does not end there, there's even talk of a full-length album later this year!

Saving Shonie must be the most aptly-named indie band you haven't heard yet. I caught up with Saving Shonie to learn more about them, their origin, their influences, and a whole lot more!



First, how did you come up with your band name? Was it hard to think of the name that you could agree on?

Novs: Noong mga panahong broken-hearted ako, silang mga kabanda ko ang nasandalan ko. Sinalba nila ako. And nickname ko dati is Shonie so there, Saving Shonie.

When was your band formed? What's your hometown?

Vernard: We're all from Laguna. Our band was formed last 2017.

Describe each band member in 3 words each.

Novs: Nover (vocals) - kind, warm-hearted, passionate. Vernard (lead guitar) - sweet, loyal, loverboy. Leichelle (bass) - independent, strong, funny. Kim (drums) - work in progress. Berto (rhythm) - blessed beyond measure.

What inspired you to make music like you do?

Novs: Music is our passion talaga. High school palang nag-babanda na kami, sumasali na kami sa mga Battle of the Bands. Saka dahil na din sa mga artists na influences namin.

Which artist is your biggest influence?

Novs: Rico Blanco talaga ever since.
Kim: Eraserheads.

How would you describe your original music?

Vernard: Actually si Novs ang nagsusulat ng mga kanta namin. Mostly our songs are all about heartache.

What do you hope for the listener to take away from your songs?

Vernard: Masaya na kami kapag na-appreciate nila yung kanta namin.

Where do you see your music going? Where would you like to be in the near future? Goals, dreams?

Novs: Syempre, yung makapasok sa record label
Vernard: Hopefully, marinig kami sa iba't ibang parte ng Pilipinas. Yung may maiwan ka lang na pangalan sa music industry, bonus na yun. Sana may mga albums na mailabas.

Any "strange tales" or things that may have happened during a show that seemed too weird to be true?

Vernard: One time, tumugtog kami sa isang school, kasabayan namin Typecast and December Avenue. Akala ng mga estudyante sikat din kami, paglabas namin ng backstage nagpapa-picture sila, hindi naman kami sikat. Weird lang ng feeling.

What musicians would you love to work with in the future? Dream collab?

Novs: Rico Blanco, of course.
Vernard: Urbandub and Franco.

Where do you think you are all happiest- in the studio recording a new song, or stage performing or elsewhere?

Vernard: For me lahat naman. Pero iba talaga yung stage performing.

Do you find that all of social media and keeping up with listeners has gotten so overwhelming? Which platform do you say that you enjoy engaging with the most? 

Vernard: Sa panahon kasi ngayon mas madali na makipag-ugnayan sa mga tao. Madami ng platform hindi katulad dati radyo lang.



The members of Saving Shonie are not joking around, each artist brings such thoughtful proficiency, instantly proving themselves to be a force in the scene. Visit their facebook page for their latest gig updates!

Here is the official music video of their song "Pag-alis".

Soapdish frontman Jeff Bolivar talks about their newest single “Totoo”. After “Kung Pwede Lang” which was released last 2017, the band has a new song for us to listen again. According to Jeff, someone very closed to him inspired him to write the song. “Medyo personal siya, someone real closed sakin yung inspiration ng song. It's about yung relationship nila going bad and nadidinig  ko lahat ng away nila kaya ko nagawa yung song.”





“Sa mga nagagawa kong kanta kapag may mga tao na nakakarelate mas gusto ko yung feeling na ganun…"


With regards to songwriting, Jeff shares his thought about how his songwriting changes since they first began,”Medyo nag-iba ako magsulat noong nakipag-collab ako kay Steve at Biboy. Marami akong natutunan sa kanila.” Recently the three releases new song that they have been making for quite sometime now. “Maraming Makikinig” is also out now on spotify.

It's staggering how this band who came from a scratch is now performing on different music festivals here in Manila! In this interview, Written By The Stars talks about 10 things fans didn't know about them.

1. Bath time ideas.

Robert Calingo (vocals) who writes all of the band's songs told that most of the melody and lyrics comes in the surface when he's taking his shower. "Usually melody nauuna sakin, habang nag-shoshower ako biglang may magpopop-up na magandang melody," he shared.

2. Written by the STARS.

According to drummer Cromwell the real story behind the band's name is its five rays which represent each of them. "Stars was used to navigate directions back then so I believe destiny navigated for us para mabuo kami as a band," he added.



3. Collaboration.

The band all agrees that they would love to have a collaboration with actress Sue Ramirez. They all admired Sue's talent in singing and hoping to have a project with her in the future.

4. Mall Shenanigans.

Cromwell also shared his best fan moment so far,"I was walking at the mall, kasi normally sa isang band ang kilala talaga dyan ay yung vocalist pero na-recognize niya ko. Nakakatuwa."

5. Aron discoverd Robert on Facebook doing a cover.

Lead guitarist Aron talks about how he met Robert. "Nagstart ang WBTS nung nakita ko yung cover ni Robert sa facebook. Ang galing nya eh. Then I asked him to be a vocalist of a band."

6. Total Strangers

Unlike the other bands that starts as friends before forming a band, WBTS members are total strangers with each other. They were only friends on facebook and they first met each other on their first ever jam session and immediately felt a connections.



7. "I think I can do this"

WBTS drummer shared a story about how he ended up playing drums. "I was in college in PUP may isang banda na nagpapractice and everytime matatapos sila magpractice, tinatry ko magdrums tapos sabi ko I think I can do this. Nahiligan ko. Kumbaga don't be afraid to try out things kasi hindi mo malalaman yung mga bagay na gusto mong gawin kung hindi ka gagawa ng bagay na hindi mo pa nagagawa."

8. Robert got involved to music when he was in high school.

Robert explained that music became a way to express himself, "noong high school ako sobrang mahiyain ako, yung tipong ako lang nakakarinig ng kanta ko. Na-exposed lang ako nung college na. Kailangan ng isang magpe-perform sa org namin, ako yung napili nila. So ayun yung first time na na-overcome ko yung pagiging mahiyain ko."

9. From fan to performer.




Frontman Robert is also ecstatic about the fact that they are now performing at some big music events. "Dati nanonood lang ako at pumipila para mapanood mga favorite bands ko. Come to think ngayon kasama na kami sa line-up. Dati pinapangarap lang namin ito pero ngayon nagpeperform na kami," he shared happily.

10. Runaway.

The song Runaway which is in Spotify now and now in Top 18 at Pinoy Myx Countdown is written based from Robert's personal experience according to him. It was a first hand experience way back in his high school days. You can watch it's official music video on their Facebook page and you can still vote for it on Myx.

The band is in mixed emotions seeing how their fans reacted to their songs. They were all very thankful for never-ending love and support.

Its been a long road here, and no overnight success story. From Dalton (frontman) and Kutoy (bass) who became friends after their previous bands disbanded, the two persevered, soon recruiting Edlord (lead guitar) and Lance (drummer), the final pieces of Tanakuta puzzle. They knew it would take hard work, there would be lows along the way, but together they will not stop and continue to make music.


Where did the band name came from? What does it mean?

Dalton: Yung song namin na "Tanga na kung Tanga", it was originally titled Tanakuta. Until nag-usap si Edlord at Lance na parang kakaiba yung title parang maganda gawing pangalan ng banda.

Describe your music-making process. Who writes your songs?

Dalton: Sa lahat ng nilalabas namin ngayon puro ako pa. Pero nag-usap kami ni Kutoy na sa second album, siya naman. Pero open kami sa lahat ng possibilities.



What has been your biggest challenge as a band?

Edlord: Pinaka challenge sa amin is clashing. Haha minsan talaga hindi maiiwasan yun. But at the end of the day, we realized na we're brothers no matter what happen.

Dalton: Different kinds of attitude. We need to learn to accept everyone para sa ikagaganda ng samahan.


Do you still get nervous when performing? How do you handle mistakes during performances?

Edlord: Nasanay na lang pero dati madalas ako kabahan. Smile lang, the show must go on so try to project na lahat is part of the show.

Dalton: Every gig sinisikap namin na play like a pro. Para maiwasan ang mali.


Are you after the fortune and fame?

Dalton: Music is our passion. If you love it, everything will follow.

Edlord: Ang hinahabol namin is to contribute in music scene.



Let's talk about your newest single "Tamis ng Pulang Labi".

Dalton: This song is written not just a love story. The reason I wrote this song is to give a message that it's not easy when someone you expected to be there for you at the end of the road, they were the one who will turn their back on you and left you hanging.

How does it feel to be in this platform for years?

Dalton: Four years na ang Tanakuta, it's been a great year for us. And for four years, we were able to achieve what we have right now. Masaya - to the extent na hindi ito madali makuha. And journey is still going.


What's coming up from you guys?

Dalton: Currently we have upcoming radio tour but they are still fixing the sched. We are doing a music video. May lalabas din na lyric video ng "Tamis ng Pulang Labi". New song next year na.

How fans to be gain access to your music?

Dalton: We are on spotify, amazon, iTunes and youtube also.




Disclaimer:
Photos are not mine.
Photos from their facebook page.