Online concert for Pinoy K-Pop
AS THE Korean Cultural Center (KCC) adapts to the “New Normal,” its landmark event, the annual Pinoy K-Pop Star (PKS) contest that brings together talented vocal and performance cover artists from all over the country, will instead reminisce over the past years of the competition through PKS Rewind 2020: The Online Reunion. As the first online concert under KCC’s Korea at Home campaign, which aims to bring K-Culture closer to the Filipinos while staying safe at home, PKS Rewind 2020 will be a virtual reunion for some past PKS winners and the personalities who have played an integral role in the contest’s success in the country. It will feature performances from 2014 PKS Vocal Champion Jean Kiley, 2015 Vocal Champion Hergie King, 2018 Vocal 2nd runner-up John Paul Manuel, 2018 Vocal Champion Venisse Siy, and 2019 Vocal Champion April Rose Tolentino. Adding spice to the lineup of performers are YouTube star and PKS judge Dasuri Choi and P-Pop boy group SB19, some members of whom had competed in the contest themselves. The show will also feature interviews as well as a raffle. The concert will be streamed on Aug. 21, 3 p.m. on the KCC’s official YouTube channel. For more information or inquiries, e-mail pr@koreanculture.ph. Follow the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KoreanCulturalCenterPH/ and @kccphil on Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
The Itchyworms release quarantine-themed album
THE ITCHYWORMS have released their fifth album, Waiting For The End To Start, a nine-track studio album which was conceptualized and recorded with the members of the band confined in their respective homes during the nationwide lockdown. According to a release, “thematically, the songs are written as a reflection of their individual and collective experiences during the quarantine period.” Chino Singson, the band’s lead guitarist and back-up vocalist, said in a statement, “Like any collection of music, it is a record of its time: A snapshot of the artist’s reaction to his or her circumstances. But it’s a concept album in that our aim was to create art in the midst of a pandemic, to capture our emotions in the music we record, even with the limited recording gear we have at home. So you’ll hear amp buzz and imperfect vocals, but for me that’s part of the spirit of true rock.” The album is available on digital platforms worldwide.
Nobody’s Home drops 1980s-inspired anthem
FILIPINO three-piece band Nobody’s Home aims to reinvents 1980s nostalgia by giving it a modern synth-pop sheen in their debut single, “12:00 (Midnight),” which is out on all digital platforms worldwide via Sony Music. According to a release, “the indie rock trio’s maiden song evokes the hallmarks of a generation who grew up on Back To The Future and Dungeons and Dragons, while setting its sights on darker, more subdued production.” The song revolves “around the idea of separation and someone comparing themselves, thinking they’re nothing but a burden on their partner who seems to be of importance,” says songwriter Eon Buendia. “12:00 (Midnight)” started out as an instrumental piece produced by drummer Moon Cairo Peralta who said, “I was inspired by listening to a lot of the bands who used synths in the ‘80s. With writing ‘Midnight’ in particular, I wanted to incorporate synths that’ll establish the overall mood and groove of the production.” He sent the track to Buendia, who wrote the lyrics and melodies, and to Justin Punzalan, who added guitar lines. The end result mirrors the three-piece collective’s retro-futurist experimentation, while being careful not to sacrifice the pop sensibilities that define their signature sound. “12:00 (Midnight)” is their first single as an artist under Sony Music Philippines.
J-pop star trends at #1 worldwide
KENSHI YONEZU performed for Fortnite’s virtual Battle Royale Game, as the first Asian artist ever, over the weekend of Aug. 8-9. During the performance, Yonezu’s name immediately trended at #1 on Twitter Worldwide. The singer-songwriter and music producer also released his 5th studio album, Stray Sheep, just days prior. The pre-sales for the album hit 1 million copies, and his music video for the song “Campanella” got over 6 million views in less than a week. The album took over the iTunes Charts, going to #1 under the J-Pop category in over 30 Countries/Regions, along with garnering various positions within the top 20 All Genres category in 22 Countries/Regions, six of which hit #1. In addition, Stray Sheep achieved #1 in 54 Countries/Regions under the J-Pop Apple Music Albums Chart. According to Billboard Japan, Stray Sheep officially sold 509,127 copies within the first three days of release. This number is the highest initial sales ever since 2008, when Billboard Japan started counting CD album sales for a male solo artist. Yonezu shows no signs of slowing down, as he also just debuted a collaboration with UNIQLO — a collection of T-shirts featuring his own illustrated designs, available in limited UNIQLO stores in the US and Canada as well as online. Stray Sheep consists of 15 songs including Yonezu’s previously released hit “Lemon,” which ranked #1 on Billboard Japan’s annual cumulative charts for two consecutive years.
Jaye releases interactive music video
FORMER DJ jaye has released an interactive music video inspired by Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” jaye, who suffers from ADHD, experimented with the deconstruction of song and video structure to come up with the time-space defying music video. The free-form music video is fitted much like Black Mirror’s “Bandersnatch” episode which gives users an illusion of control. Audiences get to choose their own adventure from four options (Attention – Depression – Hit – Dip) whilst vicariously living through experiences adapted from jaye’s own memories. The first chapter ends in two options (Ascend and Descend) and from there the viewer controls the narrative, or at least that’s what they think. The postmodern video is a hands-on representation of the true viciousness of the ADHD cycle. Viewers will feel the same burden that jaye did as he realized that partying did not empower him; rather, it proved a great hindrance to his mental health and life. jaye’s music video is a psychedelic cyberpunk microcosm with nostalgic video game elements and hair-raising horror features. With command of the concept, jaye will be releasing an 8-bit 2D Instagram filter game called HIT which will allow users to continue to engage with his Super Mario-esque hellscape (as seen in the music video). Fans will have to blink to shoot oncoming enemies with lasers in a side-scrolling virtual landscape, soundtracked by the “Hit” section of the ADHD track. Prizes will be given away to those with high scores. Watch the video on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DShTwZgZh_Q&t=4s.
Zack Tabudlo releases new single ‘Nangangamba’
SINGER-SONGWRITER and producer Zack Tabudlo tackles facing your fear in his newest single, “Nangangamba,” which is available on digital platforms worldwide. On his first release under Island Records Philippines, Zack urges listeners to take ownership of their own feelings. He brings love songs up a notch, infusing pop and R&B elements to his vocals. “With these new tracks, I’m sure people who have experienced these would relate so much more… [the latest single] is very different, music-wise and in terms of maturity,” he said in a statement. Zack Tabudlo is a singer-songwriter and producer who joined The Voice Kids in 2014 and went on to establish his solo career, writing and performing his own music. His first single, “Stay Here,” was released in 2018 and was featured on several Spotify playlists, including “Men of OPM,” “Philippines Viral 50,” and “OPM Says Chillax.” His subsequent single, “Mahal O Biro,” was again included in “Men of OPM” and “Pinoy Love Ballads” playlists. Zack premiered his first single of 2020, the chill-pop track “This Is Love,” in February.
