With such unforgettable hits as “Before I Let You Go,” “So Slow,” “This Time,” and “Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang,” Freestyle remains very much active after more than two decades on the local music scene.
Despite the change of front liners, Freestyle has stood the test of time. The band is now under 1Entertainment Inc, with Celeste Pacana as manager. The current line-up of members include Joshua Desiderio and Mike Luis on vocals and keyboards, Rommel de la Cruz on bass guitar and Ava Santos, female vocalist. Drummer Gerd Banzon and lead guitarist/back-up vocals Tat Suzara are the only two original members in the group.
They have admirably survived the change of front liners through the years. “They did it with great optimism,” says Pacana. “They always believed that change is always for the good, too.”
In 2015, Freestyle released an independent album, Mga Kwentong Kinanta, featuring newest member, Ava. The album is trying to create a distinct and unique sound for the new members.
For instance, Ava can hold her own with the original hits of Freestyle, but she also developed her own interpretation of some OPM songs to make it her own. Joshua, meanwhile, came out with the hit, “Half Crazy” and Mike interpreted other songs like “Changes” and his infectious and entertaining Michael Jackson songs.”
With the ever-changing trends on the local music scene, Freestyle has admirably coped with being a popular band. The band believes they must be aware and conscious of the present circumstances and embrace the new trends. It’s a struggle though, but the band knows they need to roll with the punches and get with the program.
Basically, Freestyle knows how to “keep working hard, despite the new responsibilities and even the distractions.” More originals are in the works and churning them out as quickly as they can online and hoping for the best all the time.
At present, Freestyle regularly performs at 19 East, 12 Monkeys, Eton Centris Walk, Historia Boutique Bar and Restaurant, and Chaos in City of Dreams. Tomorrow, the band will regale guests at the town fiesta in Sta. Cruz, Lubao in Pampanga. On May 20, they will be featured at the Azul Bar at Aquatico in Laiya, Batangas and on May 27, they will be one of the performers in a fundraising concert at UST.
