The venue was packed. The crowd buzzed with anticipation, murmurs mixing with the occasional clink of beer bottles. Dim neon lights cast a hazy glow, painting silhouettes of eager fans waiting for the first note to hit. This wasn’t just another gig—this was the night. Northern Lads were launching their debut album, Kislap Ng Mga Alaala, and everyone in the room could feel it—this was going to be special.

For those who had been following them since their early days, this moment was surreal. From intimate jam sessions to larger stages, Northern Lads had grown right before their eyes. And yet, despite the bigger venues and louder crowds, they were still the same band—raw, passionate, and all about the music.

The Accidental Band That Just Made Sense

Northern Lads wasn’t meant to be a band. At least, not at first. Dan Garcia, the band’s vocalist and songwriter, was fresh out of his previous project, The Yellow Cassette, and was ready to go solo. He could write and record on his own, sure, but something was missing. “I think it’s better kung totoong bahista, gitarista, and drummer ang maglalapat ng inputs,” Dan admits.

Enter fate, in the form of guitarist Kein Diaz, who suggested Aldi John Dela Cruz for bass. Aldi, funnily enough, wasn’t even a bassist when they first met—he played drums. But the connection was there. Fast forward to years later, and Aldi was back in the picture, this time holding down the low end. Drummer Son Ong came into the fold after a competitive audition at North Studio, sealing the band’s lineup. That same day, they named themselves Northern Lads. It just felt right.

Building Their Sound

Northern Lads aren’t the type to overthink things. Their songwriting process? Organic. Sometimes Dan brings the structure, sometimes Aldi throws in a melody. Lyrics? Aldi jokes that inspiration can come from anywhere—“Minsan ano, minsan sino. Kahit tungkol sa lamok, pwede din.”

Kein’s guitar work is drenched in the tones of his idols—Brian May, Slash, Jimi Hendrix, and Clem Castro of Orange and Lemons. He even set up his own guitars, inspired by May’s iconic Red Special. “Yung tone na meron ako sa Lads, si Brian May talaga yung inspirasyon ko doon,” Kein shares. Meanwhile, Son is the kind of drummer who obsesses over groove and precision. “Metronome is a must. Minsan kasi sa live na tugtugan, nadadala ka ng adrenaline, pwedeng bumilis o bumagal yung tempo,” he explains. His fat snare sound is his trademark, adding that extra punch to their songs.

The wildest part? They didn’t even record their album together. Each of them tracked their parts separately, from their own homes, layering everything until the songs came to life. It wasn’t until the album was nearly done that they finally played the songs as a full band. It was unorthodox, but it worked.

The Moment Everything Changed

Every band has that moment when they realize things are shifting. For Northern Lads, it was their Manila leg. They started getting booked for bigger shows, collaborating with other artists, and suddenly, they found themselves on stages like Viva Cafe, ToyCon, and RJTV. But nothing compared to their album launch.

That night, when the first chords of Kislap Ng Mga Alaala rang out, the energy in the room exploded. Kein’s guitar soared, Aldi’s bass pulsed through the walls, Son’s drums locked everything in place, and Dan’s voice carried every lyric with a rawness that made you feel like you were living the songs yourself.

It was the kind of show you don’t forget.

More Than Just a Band

Northern Lads aren’t just about making music—they’re about making people feel something. “Our songs are always open to personal interpretation,” Dan says. “What we always hope is for our songs to take the listener to a familiar feeling, no matter what that interpretation may be.”

That’s what makes them special. They don’t just play songs. They tell stories. They bring you into their world, whether you’ve been following them since day one or you just heard their name for the first time.

And if that album launch was any indication, this is just the beginning.