While it’s a given that there are countless good singers out there fronting Filipino bands, few of them really have that a real remarkable voice that can’t be mistaken for someone else.
Ney Dimaculangan is a perfect example of one with a vocal gift special enough to carry a band’s career on its sheer distinctiveness. People who hear songs he recorded and sung need not argue who the singer behind it. His voice has that thumb mark rarely found even in a country of numerous musically inclined rockers.
Small wonder that fans get excited each time he publicly appears or delivers a song, original or cover. Each track he makes it his own.
At a special single launch gig last Thursday at the Pinoy band scene-hub 70s Bistro in Quezon City, Ney and his current bandmates delivered the latest from his voice, a composition he wrote called “Bahala Ka.” The song is an upbeat modern Pinoy pop-rock gem anchored on his sweeping vocals that fit right where strong melody and relatable lyrics meet halfway. It is a track that should help bring his notable vocal skill en route to the next decade of OPM journey.
Ney has been around in the music scene practically for two decades, kicked off by a celebrated stint with hit-making machine 6 Cyclemind and a solo act powered by effective collaborations, special song projects, and an ongoing exciting run with a band named after him.
Bandang Ney, as fans fondly call his group, is composed of Ney’s backing crew of Patch Boogie Sanchez on Lead Guitars, Arnee France Escobedo on Rhythm Guitars & Back-up Vocals, Lui Lopez on Bass & Back-up Vocals, and Andrew Nebab Nianga on Drums. The man now ably plays guitar as he sings in front of delighted crowds in select events, special guesting stints, production gigs, and roadshows.
Among Ney’s previous solo hits include “Habag,” and “Sa Akin Ka Na Lang,” while tracks like “Sabik Sa’yo,” “Tagapagligtas,” and “Velvet Skies” solidified his ever-increasing fan base. His 6cyclemind-hit composition “Aaminin” is obviously a fan favorite during gigs, as well as his vocal takes of classic covers “Upside Down” and “Prinsesa.” His collaboration with Yeng Constantino resulted to “Walang Hanggan” famously used as theme for “Imortal.”
Ney is a professional artist who looks back at his roots with fondness, recently reminding his fans that he had been long replaced by his buddy Tutti Caringal as lead vocalist of 6cyclemind. By looking back with gratefulness, he carefully leads those who believe in the power of his voice to keep up with the twist and turns of his music career.
His voice being competitive is a fitting description for his talent. A song he sung called “Kaya Mo” won as best theme song in the 2010 edition of Metro Manila Film Festival. Three years later, he participated in Philpop as interpreter for singer-songwriter Johnoy Danao’s self-composed song entry “Kung ‘Di Man”.
He released a couple of solo albums, namely, Ney Dmac and Napapanahon.
Now based in Lipa, Batangas, Ney was only 14 years old when he started suiting up as vocalist of a band dubbed “Angel in Disguise”. He took up Conservatory of Music.
If there is one keeping Ney out there performing, writing, and recording songs, it’s not even the fact he has the voice that deserves to be heard anywhere where music is appreciated and anytime where the timeless power of a great-sung song matters. It’s really about his generous heart to share his gift for singing.
That’s the backbone of Bandang Ney and its mouthpiece that delivers hits and great song interpretations. “Bahala Ka” will be available in Spotify and other digital distribution engines.
