The good thing about musicians who make hit original music, even if they’re no longer around, with their songs still playing on the radio and streaming on digital platforms, it feels as if they’re still on the scene and very much active.
A number of local ‘90s bands are joining up and coming musicians in the list of “most discovered artists” on Spotify amid not releasing any single record in the past 10 years. It just proves that music is timeless and transcends generations.
I had this similar experience when I got an invite from a friend to the launch of Orange & Lemons’ latest single. I was told that it was their first record after a nearly decade-long hiatus.
The fact that the group was out of the limelight for that long surprised me. First, I didn’t know they were no longer playing as a band until I heard that Mcoy Fundales just signed up with AltG Records as a solo artist a few weeks ago. Secondly, it felt like only yesterday that I was listening to the songs of the group that is known as one of the Philippine music scene’s most remarkable bands. You see, time flies by so fast.
Now, Orange & Lemons returns to the mainstream front with the release of its latest single titled “Pag-Ibig Sa Tabing-Dagat.” The group’s label Liliystars Records marked June 7 as its date release by way of digital platform.
The band, which is currently composed of lead singer-guitarist Clem Castro, bass player JM Del Mundo, and drummer Ace Del Mundo, is poised to open a new chapter in their colorful journey as a Pinoy group with a unique and distinct sound strongly able to produce a number of certified hit songs.
The members of the group, sans Fundales, of course, reunited under the banner that made them famous, with a rallying cry to release an all-Filipino album with “Pag-ibig Sa Tabing-Dagat,” in their own words, “setting a benchmark for wonderful Tagalog songs to come.”
The refreshingly serenading track, bolstered with arrangements by the band’s recently adopted live keyboardist Jared Nerona, boasts a set of lyrics paying homage to decent and sincere Tagalog poetry which their hometown province of Bulacan is associated with.
The revitalized Orange & Lemons performed in front of the entertainment press Thursday, June 6, at Thai Street Kapitolyo in Pasig. It’s their first major press conference in a long while, and music critics couldn’t wait to hear the latest from the group.
“Pag-ibig Sa Tabing Dagat,” penned by de facto band leader Clem Castro, is described as a fusion of Kundiman, a genre of traditional Filipino love song with boss nova elements, and the indie guitar pop sound the band is known for. The digital single’s cover art centerpiece is an oil painting by Mark Villanueva, an award-wining contemporary visual artist from Baliuag, Bulacan.
Orange & Lemons released critically acclaimed and commercially viable albums in the past, namely, “Love in the Land of Rubber Shoes and Dirty Ice Cream,” “Strike Whilst the Iron is Hot,” and “Moonlane Gardens.” They’re scheduled to shoot a surprise-full music video later this month and do a multi-city gig tour of Canada this September.
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Pop dreams come true for teen singer
Teen singer Hannah Magdales is seeing the light.
The klieg lights of show business that is, as she takes the plunge into the world of pop music anew with the release of her new single entitled “Heto Na Naman.”
The 16-year-old singer-performer has been at it since at an early age. “I started singing when I was three years old,” shared Hannah.
“I realized early on that singing is something that I would pursue because I’m passionate about it.”
And she has been chasing her dreams ever since. “I always sing in our school events.” A year or so ago, she and her supportive mom even took the indie route and produced tracks and released it on their own. And in between, Hannah also took to joining singing competitions. Recently she competed and represented the country in the WCOPA (World Championships Of Performing Arts) singing tilt held in California.
Always working toward her goal, Hannah said “I am very serious about my singing. And I am willing to pursue this for as long as I can.”
Now comes “Heto Na Naman,” a first label-produced single designed to further her up the rung in Hannah’s climb to the top. Though she’s released some songs before, Hannah considers “Heto Na Naman” as her debut.
“My new single was written by Hannah Dela Rosa and now distributed by Viva Records. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to contribute with the songwriting, but I hope to do that as well soon.”
Still, Hannah has no shortage of skills. A performer who can play a variety of instruments which includes stringed instruments like the guitar, ukelele, and the violin as well as the piano and drums.
She cites Sarah Geronimo as a role model and hopes to achieve the same things as her idol in the future.
“Besides being a successful singer (and musician) I also dream of being an actress someday,” she said.
Hannah has started on this path already too, having a role in the Felix Manalo movie, playing the part of young Pilar Manalo.
But ultimately, top among her dreams is to be able to share her music. To this, she mused “I want to be the type of artist that would inspire and be a good influence to the youth.”
Hannah Magdales’ “Heto Na Naman” is now on Spotify, Apple Music and all digital music platforms. The track made its debut on Spotify’s “New Music Friday” the day of its release and her music video likewise made it to music channel Myx’s playlist.