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Friday, March 29, 2024

Fresh record label ropes in rising, budding acts and musicians

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The COVID-19 pandemic is 2020's great wrecker of plans. One would be hard-pressed to find a businessman with sense to venture on such uncertain times. Not so for the enterprising minds behind new label Blacksheep Records Manila (BSRM), who besides going against conventional wisdom, is actually bullish, and swan diving into music industry waters. 

Fresh record label ropes in rising, budding acts and musicians
Blacksheep Records executive Jaworski Garcia

Behind Blacksheep Records Manila is longtime record executive Jaworski Garcia. Formerly a finance man-cum-talent scout from Warner Music, “Jawo or Jay,” as he's known in industry circles, is now at the helm of his own music label.  And because he's from a major label, he's not only looking domestically but outside as well. 

“It has always been my dream to own a record label company that would help and open doors of opportunity for Filipino artists to be known in the global music scene,” said Jaworski. 

With him on this venture is former The Youth bassist Robert Javier who will head his A&R (artist & repertoire). 

“I've known Robert way back 1994 when I booked their band for a gig in our university. When it was time to look for an A&R, I believe RJ is the perfect fit, having produced artists such as Parokya, Teeth, Francis M, and Ely Buendia. When I asked him, he was excited at the prospect and he said that (music) is his first love and that his commitment is for the long haul,” Garcia said. Adding, “It's the perfect pair: Robert (and) Jaworski. The Living Legend.” 

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For their initial salvo, Blacksheep Records released a pair of singles just this past month. Last July  saw the label's debut with singer-songwriter Ethan Loukas with the excellent sounding track “Manghuhula.” Iloilo-bred Ethan turned heads last year when he made a big splash with his ready-for-the-big-time talent for performing and built-in music artist skills. Blacksheep Records couldn't have a more perfect artist to be their banner artist. Then there's another potential hit artist with rap act Ezro who recently dropped the catchy “Di Kagandahan (Pero Mabait)” not long after. Following suit is alt-pop band trio Modern Day Dream whose lovely sounding “Sa Ulap” is likewise turning ears. And just around the corner are those young aces in Ferodina, composed of Music Hero champs guitarist-songwriter Fender Dimalanta, drummer Joaquin Rodrigo, saxophonist Brian Feliciano and bassist Steven Naguit, whom Jaworski also gained the trust of and is giving them his full commitment.

And since opening shop early 2020, The Blacksheep Records Manila roster has grown exponentially. The label has since released singles from their talented pool that includes: 

Young pop artist Rian, alt-rock bands Modern Day Dream, Morning After, Greyline, The Last Stanza, Outplayed, collab-band Comics, Tonkatsuki, Central Luzon's Beggar's Moon, Australian-based band Five-Fifty Myth, solo alt-pop singer Terence Von Lucero and Oman based OFW New Wave band DMajors. 

There's also metal bands Calebral, Black Wolf Gypsies, Hiphop rooted acts Justinne, RETALIATION, Hall of Fame Alpuerto Sisters (of Bangon Talentadong Pinoy), Central Luzon alt-rock solo singer Edwin Galang, acts from Iloilo – Khaeden Golez,  Alphabadboi, alternative-novelty act Illegal Entry and indie act Kyla Miel Camerong and Kaydee, and scene veteran and original 6Cyclemind singer Ney Dimaculangan. 

And as icing on the proverbial cake, Jawo has a special project with popular 2020 breakout band Magnus Haven for an original Christmas tune called “Noel.” As for this last bit, talks are still underway but the possibility is strong that Magnus Haven could have Blacksheep Records as their label for 2021. 

So, what's Jaworski got that other local labels don't?  Well he's got some legit backup. “To be honest, it's hard to convince an artist to be part of our label. Some might think that I'm just a fly-by-night label who just wants to get their ideas and music. But because of the name Vic Del Rosario, Jr., (who's behind Jaworski and Blacksheep), “and guidance from my former boss Lachmi Baviera (former General Manager of Warner Music Philippines and current head of MINT College), I was able to use all the skills I've learned and create a thing for artists to trust me.”  

Blacksheep Records Manila is an affiliate label of Viva Music Group. 

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