I've promoted the launch, and I've recapped the event itself. What's the most logical thing to do next?

Write a review, of course.

Travelogue is Bagetsafonik's debut album containing 12 all-original tracks to put on repeat play. The album also includes 2 remixes courtesy of Morse and Silverfilter.

To tell you the truth, I don't get to listen to Bagetsafonik often. I've only been to 2 of their gigs (shameful, I know), and the only songs I was truly familiar with were Automatik (the video of which is available in YouTube), Halogen, Saccharine and Joyride. I've heard Clarity before, while the song was still in its infancy.

That's why my Travelogue experience is a delightful mix of familiar sounds and new surprises. The songs I already know have cool, better arrangements, and the new songs are... err... new to me. Like, duh.

Whether you're a rocker dude, a pop chick, or something in between, you'll enjoy this album. The repertoire is filled with snazzy tunes and soulful melodies, woven with words close to the heart. We've got songs for friends, for lovers, for families. For the loved, the heartbroken; the content and the searching. Read full post...

The collection starts with Fallin' Callin', with Ace soaring through the notes and the rest of the boys rocking it out. If you pop the CD in your car's player, this song is perfect for the start of the drive. Action Jackson and Green Machine comes next as you step on the gas and speed through the highway; Sputnik Sweetheart and Automatik follow right after. I think Sputnik Sweetheart is a fitting title to this song, because when I listen to it, I feel like I'm in a space shuttle zipping through the universe.

Shift to easy driving as you listen to Halogen and the melancholic Diss Song, until Saccharine and Joyride pick up the pace a bit to keep you awake. Song for the Sunlight takes us back to the carefree days of outdoor games, Matchbox, and afternoon snacks and naps... Yep. Nothing like childhood memories to remove the stress on your shoulders.

The ride winds down with the haunting Clarity and groovy Glued to the Groove. The Halogen remix has a 3am on EDSA feel, and the Fallin' Callin' remix takes us to a world tour of music genres.

And you think refreshing music is all you get when you buy this album?

Shyeah, right!

You also get twelve — count 'em, twelve! — postcards with funky artwork on one side and song lyrics on the bottom of the other. (Um...yeah. Congratulations if you figured out that you get one postcard for each song.) Don't believe me? Check out the photo I put in the start of this post.

I love this CD. I think that much is obvious. And it's not just because the vocalist is my brother. Oh, no, absolutely not. Even if he wasn't my brother — heck, even if the members of the band were complete strangers to me — I'd still buy the album.

And I'd still put it on repeat play.

---

Again, the Travelogue track list
1 - Fallin' Callin'
2 - Action Jackson
3 - Green Machine
4 - Sputnik Sweetheart
5 - Automatik
6 - Halogen
7 - Diss Song
8 - Saccharine
9 - Joyride
10 - Song for the Sunlight (Back in the Day)
11 - Clarity
12 - Glued to the Groove
13 - Halogen (3 AM on EDSA Remix)
14 - Fallin' Callin' (Worlds Apart Remix)

Sunday, August 05, 2007

Bagetsafonik launch recap

Last night, my family and I (along with Bossa Resound's Chique) went to the Bagetsafonik launch at Café Saguijo in Makati. Of course, since I went there to support my brother dearest, we got there early to chill. It was my first time to go to Café Saguijo, despite the fact that I hear about it all the time from my brothers and some of my friends. Read full post...

Café Saguijo was named so because it's a café in Guijo street. If you say that in Filipino, it'll be "café sa guijo". Cool, eh?

Anyway, it's a pretty cool to place to hang out. Awesome bands providing the sounds every night, Saguijo is out to be "a proper venue for the music lover". But that ain't all. They've got more goodies in the second floor: The Theo Gallery, presenting contemporary artworkds, and the Baul, a treasure trove of classic and modern clothes, accessories, and watchamacallits. Coolness.

Anyway. Moving on.

Bagets!

Goodness. How awesome is this band? So awesome, I think, that I became a screaming fangirl as if the vocalist wasn't my brother. Harhar. You should've seen his face when I asked him to sign my copy of their CD. Haha!

The launch was fantastic. Silverfilter kicked it off with several of his...techie gadget thingies. Ha. Made me look like a tech illiterate. I was never one for techno dugg's-dugg's music, but watching this guy do it live made me have a new appreciation for their art. I still have a long way before I turn into a fan, but hey, 's all good, eh? ^_^

The Chillitees were up next. The band rocks. 'Nuff said.

Next played the Itchyworms. Amazing band. Hilarious, too. They have so much fun on stage, and we have so much fun watching them that anybody watching us watching them would have fun, too. Haha! That was my first time to watch them live, and... they're amazing. Did I say amazing? Oh, I did. Okay.

By midnight, everyone was still widely awake and totally energized. And, finally, the main band of the night got on stage.

Bagetsafonik played 10 songs (I think), playing almost the whole album for our listening pleasure. And, Wow. You gotta be there to know what I'm talking about.

WOW.

If you haven't seen this band perform, jump on over to the Bagetsafonik e-group and check their gig schedule.

Some of the Bagets were actually supposed to be guests at the launch, and Francis M wanted to jam to Song for the Sunlight, but, sadly, the schedule didn't work out.

The Ronnies closed the night, getting the audience dancing to nostalgic 80s songs we all know and love (yep, we love 'em even though we didn't 20 years ago). I SO love their version of Kung Fu Fighting. Haha!

Wrapping up: saying that the launch was a success would be an understatement. The albums got sold fast, the bands rocked it out, and the audience had a blast under the disco ball. What more can I ask for?

Hm... A mall tour, maybe. Haha!

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Bagetsafonik's Travelogue, ready for take-off!

Finally, after months of waiting and waiting, and more waiting, it's here!!!

And man, oh, man, it'll be well worth the wait.

Bagetsafonik's "Travelogue" album launch is set to happen on August 4, Saturday @ Cafe Saguijo, Makati, 9:30pm. With special guests Arbie Won, Morse, Silverfilter, Itchyworms, Chillitees, and The Ronnies.

Discohan na!

Travelogue includes 12 tracks (plus two more as a bonus!), including Automatik (watch video here), Saccharine, Halogen, and Joyride.

Bagetsafonik is an independent band grooving since 2004, mixing sounds from new wave, rock and electronica to conjure up catchy riffs, bewitching tunes and bittersweet lyrics. As Pedicab vocalist Diego Mapa wrote, “A Bagetsafonik experience is the first taste of soda after having too many beers. Finally: sugar water…it’s totally refreshing.”

Bagetsafonik are
Ace Cada (and his very red guitar hehe) weilding the guitars and taking the lead vocals
Paolo Francisco playing with guitars and effects
Marcus Nada, master of the synths and analog samplers
Doi Lagos striking the drums, percussions
Tom Barba handling the bass line

The Travelogue launch pulls through with help from Ninja Kiss, Pulp, Burn, Myxmag, Vineyard Chord, and Lockeddown.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

promoting my friendly friends

Aheeheehee... June has been rather eventful for family and friends, there's good news and congratulations everywhere, and you can rarely see me without a proud grin on my face.

Well, except, of course, when I'm feeling sick with all the work and stress and all that, but that's not the point.

Abbi Asistio
Abbi had her first "real" gig late May in the Room Upstairs. I've never really been into R&B — I mean, it's cool, yeah, but I kind of like Jazz and Alternative Rock better — but Abbi is just so freakin' cool. Plus she's a friend, so of course I'm a fan. Haha! She's recording her album, too, so watch out for that.
Andi Manzano
On Saturday, Andi was awarded to be the next MTV VJ! Yeyyyyy~ Wow... Whenever I see her (and kids her age) doing amazing things, it kind of makes me feel old.
...Wait. Did I just call her a kid?! Noooooo~!!! You're not that older than her, Sarah, you are NOT. Heeheehee. I'm suddenly reminded of this funny story that happened when I went to meet her in her high school... Err... Never mind.

*ahem*

Focusing back on Andi... Lemme just say that finally the big break came. She deserves this, don't you think so, too? ^^

Luis Katigbak
So yeah. One of his short stories is adapted for the stage. You can read about it in Kristine and Luis are Listening, from where I most mercilessly snatched this image:
Like, wow. I wonder what it feels like to have one of my works rendered. Given, of course, that due credits are given. I don't wanna be plagiarized or anything.

...

But if I'm plagiarized, doesn't that mean I'm a good writer? Haha! Kidding.



Sitti Navarro
The other day, I turned the TV on (a miracle, yes, I know) because MJ kept reminding me that Sitti was competing in IKON Philippines. I hope she wins the solo artist category. Hehe. Although, of course, Grace Nono is, like, awesome, too, I think she's already a very VERY established artist, and she's already practically a legend. So... Um... Give others a chance? Hehe.


Ace Cada and the rest of Bagetsafonik
And, last but most definitely not the least, my very own brother and his very red guitar! Wahooo!
Bagetsafonik's sound is already blasting through the airwaves, and, soon, in your CD players as well! Yey! Their CD, Travelogue, is already done, and we're just waiting for the launch. It will be, as it has been for the last year, soon. Hehe. Peace tayo, Kuya.

But, seriously, it's really REALLY soon. I even think it's next week. At Saguijo. I think. I have to check with brother dear.


So...yeah. Congrats to everyone! And, wow, all that in one month! So cool...

I wonder who's going to release their album next... Tim Cada and Chique Arcyilla of Bossa Resound, maybe? Haha! I hope so!