Behind the Song: “Insomniya” by Kenji Deadass
There are songs that make you feel good, and there are songs that make you feel. For me, Insomniya by Kenji Deadass falls into the second category. It’s not just a track I listen to—it’s one I feel in my chest. It’s one of those rare songs that seems to come from a place of […]
Prinsesani: The Island Girl Who Sang Her Way Through Silence
In a world where dreams are often postponed for practicality, Prinsesani—a singer-songwriter from the paradise island of Puerto Princesa—chose to pause, not give up. She calls herself an “island girl from the last frontier,” but don’t mistake her gentle tone for softness. Prinsesani is the kind of artist who wears multiple crowns: singer, poet, director, […]
From JS Proms to Dream Stages: The Heartbeat Behind LunarLights
When you’re young, playing at your college prom feels like the peak of the dream. You set up, strum a few chords, the crowd yells, and for one brief, glorious moment—you’re somebody. But for LunarLights, that moment didn’t end when the lights dimmed and the decorations came down. It was just the start of a decade-long ride […]
ELEYN: From Studio Tambays to Stage Takeovers
“Hoy grabe, baka isulat ni Issa ‘yan!” Elaine blurts out in the middle of laughter, her voice half-laughing, half-hysterical. The rest of the band howls, trying (and failing) to keep a straight face over Zoom. You know you’re not just talking to a band—you’re catching up with a barkada na walang filter, walang arte, and […]
Breē: Dreamy Soundscapes, Midnight Drives, and Songs That Feel Like Shelter
In a local indie scene that’s as restless as it is noisy, Breē offers something else entirely—an ambient, slow-burning sanctuary of sound. Their music doesn’t scream for attention. It waits. Patiently. Like a friend in the passenger seat of a quiet drive home. And when you finally listen—really listen—it’s like finding a letter you forgot […]
How Live Gigs Grow Your Spotify Streams (And What to Do If You Can’t Perform Yet)
Live shows and digital streams might feel like two different worlds—but they’re more connected than most indie artists realize. Gigs don’t just build fans in the room; they drive real growth on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. And if you can’t hit the stage right now? You’ve still got options to grow your […]
Camaraderie (CMRD): Built by Bonds, Carried by Sound
In a music scene that constantly shifts between trends and aesthetics, Camaraderie (CMRD) stands their ground—not with gimmicks, but with stories. Real ones. The kind that stick. The kind you play on loop because somewhere between the lyrics and guitar lines, you find yourself. Formed in 2018 by five college friends, Camaraderie (CMRD) wasn’t born […]
Dear Upcoming Artists: Talent Isn’t Enough — It’s Time to Get Real About the Grind
Let’s get one thing straight — talent is important, but it’s not everything. If you’re an upcoming artist in the Philippines or anywhere else in the world, this might sting a little: you need to stop living in a fantasy. Too many artists think they’ll record one song, drop it on SoundCloud, Spotify, or TikTok, and boom […]
Freddie Aguilar: OPM Icon,Now at Rest
Today, the Philippines mourns the loss of one of its most iconic voices. Freddie Aguilar, known affectionately as “Ka Freddie,” passed away at the age of 72 at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City. His death marks the end of an era for Original Pilipino Music (OPM), but his legacy will continue to resonate through […]
FIGVRA: Songs Made of Scars, Stories, and Shared Chaos
Some bands are born in garages. Others form in the haze of drunken parties or from the disbanding of earlier dreams. FIGVRA began at home—literally. The name “FIGVRA” (pronounced as “figura”) came out of a casual discussion at home between Josh and his partner Zab. They were kicking around ideas with their original bandmates, searching […]