Some dreams are loud and urgent—they demand to be heard, seen, done now na. But some dreams, like the kind Gio and JL of Shallies had, simmer quietly in the background for years, waiting for the right moment, the right tools, the right time.
For Shallies, that moment came in September 2024.
It all started back in high school. Two boys who shared the same barkada, the same music taste, and a shared frustration: “Wala kaming pera, kulang pa sa skills, tapos wala pang maaya para buuin ‘yung banda.” That’s how Gio, the primary songwriter of Shallies, described the early days. The desire was always there—guitar chords written in notebooks, song ideas saved on old phones—but life, as it often does, had other plans.
“Now somehow we can afford to save para makabili ng instruments at gumawa ng songs,” he shared. “Sayang kasi yung potential ng mga songs if hindi marerelease.”
And so they did it. Quietly, no fanfare. No big launch party. Just two friends finally breathing life into songs that had long lived only in imagination.
JL, the other half of the founding duo, put it plainly: “It all started with Gio’s idea. Siya nag-supply ng gas.”
The name Shallies—unusual, unforgettable—was Gio’s idea too. Derived from “shilly-shally,” it captures years of hesitation and half-starts. But finally, the indecision gave way to action, and Shallies became real.
From Bowie to Parokya: A Clash of Eras, A Blend of Styles
If you had to describe Shallies’ sound in one word, “eclectic” wouldn’t even scratch the surface. Gio cites British legends like Bowie, The Smiths, and Radiohead as his core influences—artists known for lyrical depth and sonic experimentation. JL, on the other hand, brings in the punch: “Eheads, Parokya, Rivermaya, Oasis, Paramore, NFG, Sum 41, Greenday.” His list reads like a ’90s alt-rock starter pack.
So how do they make it work?
“We find the common denominator,” JL said. “Then we find a way to merge them together.”
Gio’s approach to songwriting is rooted in melody first. “Kapag may pumasok na tune sa utak ko, I record it agad. Then the lyrics follow.” He added, “The melody creates the lyrics itself.”
The band’s creative compass isn’t fixed to one genre. “Alternative rock ang roots,” JL admits. But from there, anything goes. A song might start out sounding like a pop punk jam and end up echoing New Wave energy. Their guiding principle? “Whatever sounds right to us,” Gio said.
Making Music for the Masses—One Song at a Time
“Ang goal namin? Maka-connect sa listeners. Accessible dapat ang sound,” Gio explained.
That’s why even their arrangement process leans on the familiar. “Pop structure,” he said. “Para mas madaling ma-absorb ng audience.”
One of the songs closest to JL’s heart is Holiday Ride, their very first complete track. “Di ko sasabihing mahirap siya buuin, pero bias ko talaga siya,” he laughed.
Gio, on the other hand, holds a deep connection to every track. “Even if the songs aren’t based on my personal experiences, I draw from stories around me. Isang kanta, habang nanonood ako ng Friends; another, habang naghihintay ako sa elevator.”
That’s the thing about Shallies—they’re not here to dazzle with complexity or overwhelm with abstract ideas. Their magic lies in the everyday. Songs about mundane moments that somehow hit just right.
The Chill Before the (Hopeful) Storm
Right now, the band is still in transition. With only three members (including their producer), they’re balancing music-making with life’s many obligations. Gigs are still a dream in the works.
“Wala pa kaming live gigs,” Gio said. “Pero studio sessions, meron na.”
Pre-recording rituals? “Vape at NBA,” JL deadpanned.
Even without the full stage experience yet, Shallies is carving a space for themselves online. They recently released “Gotcha Under My Skin,” a punk/pop track dripping with teenage urgency. Coming up? Their first Tagalog single and a track simply known as Untitled Song #1, which JL says will transport listeners straight back to their high school days.
Creative Differences? Not a Problem
Most bands talk about “collaboration” like it’s a corporate strategy. With Shallies, it’s more fluid—less about power-sharing, more about trust.
“Kung sino gumawa ng kanta, siya pa rin ang may final say,” Gio explained. “Pero open kami sa suggestions. If it improves the song, go.”
JL echoed the same sentiment. “We’ll meet halfway. Pero importante din na hindi patayin ‘yung creativity ng writer.”
It helps that they understand each other’s personalities to a T. “Pareho kami ng vibe,” JL said. “Mas outgoing lang si Gio, ako mas tahimik. Pero siya rin ‘yung OC sa details. Ayaw niya ng ‘pwede na.’”
Looking Ahead: Dreams, Collabs, and That Elusive Break
While they’re not in a rush to chase fame, the desire for mainstream recognition is there. “We’ll continue to improve and get better every day,” Gio said. “We want to create more classic songs that people can sing to.”
Collaborations? JL’s keeping it grounded. “Gusto ko makatrabaho si Luis Azcona ng Maude. Typical OPM alternative rock sana.”
As for fan encounters, wala pa daw silang specific stories of people connecting with their lyrics—but they’re hopeful. “We want to connect with fans and listeners through our music. It would be a nice feeling siguro if it happens.”
And it will. Because if Shallies’ journey teaches us anything, it’s that the slow burn is still a burn. Quiet dreams still blaze.
One Last Thing
So, what do Shallies want you to feel when you hear their songs?
They answered in sync:
“We want our listeners to feel the emotions and excitement every time they hear our songs.”
Not bad for a band that almost never happened. Not bad at all.
