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Many of my friends were asking how and when did I join The Camerawalls. There’s actually a very short story about it, so here I go…
Clementine, Law, and I were friends since 1999, that’s when the Orange and Lemons days started. I was with another band back then, doing alternate gigs with them in a certain bar in Bulacan. After many years, we remained friends and kept in touch through chat and text messages. The last time I saw ONL was 2006, when Clem invited me to come over and watch their gig at 70′s Bistro. Then I heard about the band’s break-up a few months after.
It was expected when he formed The Camerawalls with Law, and I’ve been listening to their songs occasionally. It’s actually a perfect album to listen to when riding a bus going to the office.
I think it was July 2011 when Clem invited me to his solo acoustic gig at Gweilo Bar. He said we haven’t seen each other for ages so I came to watch the show. He also asked me to jam the song “Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want” (the only Smiths song that I know). It was fun, and I enjoyed the night.
With The Camerawalls. From L-R: Geoge Carillo, Clementine, Joseph Rudica, Law Santiago. More photos here by Jeff Saw: http://bit.ly/wkD6c7
A few days later, we were chit-chattin’ and he told me they need a session guitarist for The Pop Shoppe! - The Smiths Night. I was surprised when he asked me if I want to give it a try. I already knew their music is different from what I used to play and vice-versa; plus the fact that I haven’t been playing guitar for years. But I thought, ”here’s something that I shouldn’t miss.”
We had two rehearsals, then played my first gig with them last July 27, 2011. Then followed by another… and a few more. I was happy to be a part of their 4th anniversary as a group. It obviously requires me to learn their songs and covers I’ve never heard of. I realized that it’s not that easy to learn The Beatles and The Smiths’ guitar parts as well as the other bands that influenced The Camerawalls. It’s a bit of a challenge on my part.
Then, after more than a month, we flew to Singapire for a two-night show. It was instantly an unforgettable experience for me. The food, the view, the alley near our hotel where we used to hang out with few bottles of beer and spicy Thai food after the show; seeing my old friends in a foreign land, and knowing they were there to support Filipino talent, is definitely something to cherish as long as I breathe.
After the Singapore gig, pictures were posted via thecamerawalls.com and I was tagged as the new guitarist of the band. A smile on my face stuck for a few minutes. I tried recollecting the time when Clem lured me in, I told myself… what the hell was he thinking? but I have to agree that someone else should sit on the other side of the boat to keep it balanced (now what the heck am I saying?). In my own opinion, I did a good job that’s why I was chosen to be one of them officially.
For six months, I must say that my life has changed in so many ways… being with The Camerawalls, learning new songs, meeting a lot of new friends and wonderful people. I’m certain that I’m having one hell of a ride. and it’s gonna be a long journey for sure.
So I’ll see you around.
x
George
“Being an artist means: not numbering and counting, but ripening like a tree, which doesn’t force its sap, and stands confidently in the storms of spring, not afraid that afterwards summer may not come.” – Rainer Maria Rilke
There was a lull in terms of recording and releasing new materials for The Camerawalls in 2011. It was a tough year, and with the ever-changing musical landscape and distribution, we felt it’s better to postpone any plans. Bread and Circuses EP was more like a “chop suey” served during a lengthy cocoon stage of the band. As times changes so do we. The year that passed has tested our adaptability to changes.
2011 was spent on promoting the new EP, gigging, collecting ideas and opportunities. We met a lot of new friends online and offline, played and sang our hearts out, covered more songs than we ever did. We were able to release two music videos lovingly produced by photographer friends; celebrated our fourth year as a band; welcomed a fourth member named George Carillo to fill in on electric guitar duties; returned to Singapore for gigs. We performed over 60 listed gigs averaging five to six per month.
It was also during 2011 that we had a taste of a little prestige through songwriting competitions we courageously entered. I became a semi-finalist in the 2010 International Songwriting Competition (ISC) in the folk/singer-songwriter category for the song “Bread and Circuses“. This consequently led me to try my luck with the John Lennon Songwriting Contest with the song “Birthday Wishes“, bagging the grand prize in the mini contest for songs of peace and love in honor of Lennon’s 71st birthday.
The highlights that I tried to recall and enumerate above is indicative of another growth chapter for The Camerawalls. Each single day is enough to make us a little larger, growing into more and retreating into less. We are resolute in producing more songs this year, more gigs to plays, more books to read, more new things to experience and more socially relevant projects.
We are inviting you all to join us in our journey. To those who already did, you have given us a dear privilege to be part of your lives through our music.
A fabulous and legendary New Year to us all!
If any of you are wondering how we rolled during Halloween, these photos by our dear friend Jeff Saw taken during The POP Shoppe! Halloween Party at Route 196 will tell you.
Our halloween get-up. From L-R: Clementine, Law Santiago, George Carillo, Joseph Rudica.
Early at the venue.
A soon to be plastered Clementine mummy.
George in an attempt to be the character in The Crow.
Birthday boy Law in what appears like an African zombie.
Joseph as the homeless "Taong Grasa".
The last act at 1AM.
"I'm no lunatic man. I'm a sane man fighting for his soul."
"The neck's broken. The brain is useless. We must find another brain."
"Abashed the Devil stood and felt how awful goodness is."
"Do you have to open graves to find girls to fall in love with?"
"The world changes, we do not, there lies the irony that finally kills us."
"You're beautiful to me because you're human. Your frailty. Your short years. Your heart. All that suddenly seems more precious than anything I've ever known."
"It's time we were on our way. I'm hungry, and the city awaits."
Source of Memorable Quotes: Interview with the Vampire, Queen of the Damned, Frankenstein, The Crow, and The Mummy. All photos courtesy of Jeff Saw.
This post has been lying on our WordPress draft section since Oct 7. Completely forgot about it. Last month was pretty tight with lots of gigs and activities. So here goes…
…continued from Rich In Love At Timbre (Part 2)
Our Final Set at The Substation
Right after chilling out for a bit at Timbre @ Old School we headed straight to The Substation for the usual soundcheck. A few minutes before our set a queue was forming outside. We played to what seemed like a full house bar for that evening. Many guests who came to see us the previous night were also present to witness our last gig in SG.
We were far more relaxed, like we’re in a familiar place. It felt like home.
All black and white photos by Deo Virtucio of Requiem Rising Singapore. To see more, click HERE>>>
Canto De Maria Clara – The Camerawalls (Live at Timbre @ The Substation)
My Life’s Arithmetic Means – The Camerawalls (Live at Timbre @ The Substation)
Bread and Circuses – The Camerawalls (Live at Timbre @ The Substation)
We dearly love and enjoy playing twee and indie pop music. However, I cannot disregard the inclination to touch base with my blues, rock and roll and psychedelic roots from time to time. When Playboy Philippines invited us to be part of the roster of artists for the 2011 Rock The Rabbit on September 30 at Elements in Centris, we found the perfect setting for our heavier materials.
The event was headlined by Pinoy classic rock icon Pepe Smith and the equally classic Maria Cafra. We performed after them in a pretty late slot of around 2am to a thinning crowd. We enjoyed the gig and the stage nevertheless and played our hearts out on two songs. Too much that my aged Fender strap snapped during the first song. Heart Abunda of Tanya Markova was there to save me with his hot pink strap. 
Lord of The Flies
The Emperor, The Concubine & The Commoner
…continued from Rich In Love At Timbre (Part 1)
Our first gig at Timbre, despite the rain, wasn’t bad for a Tuesday night. It was delight to find many Filipinos in the crowd and some locals who have been following our music since last year.
A Visit to the Timbre Music Academy
The excitement of the night didn’t wear off till the wee hours of the morning. We overslept during the day crushing our plans to take a stroll around the city. Our itinerary the following day starts with a short stop at Timbre Music Academy. It’s a unique facility that balances the learning curve of their students by providing not only theoretical or technical knowledge but also hone the practical aspects of performing outside the classroom. Timbre operates 6 live music venues across the city, featuring prominent local bands every night and all their instructors gig professionally so they are able to impart practical and proven techniques of a live music performance.
At Timbre Music Academy
Recording my Tip of the Day.
They often ask visiting musicians to contribute a tip of the day to their Timbre Music Academy Facebook page and YouTube channel. The tips can be anything music-performance related and will be recorded inside the academy. I shared some pretty basic strumming tips for those with budding interest in learning how to play the acoustic guitar. Below is the result:
The intro riff is the exact acoustic rhythm section I recorded for our song “The Emperor, The Concubine & The Commoner“. I stressed the importance of learning to play good rhythm. Sure, anyone can be a burning lead guitar player and rip out on solos. But solos occupy a small percentage in most songs, so one’s lead guitar skills are really only ever be as good as his rhythm skills.
Chilling at Timbre @ Old School.
With Sy Low - Timbre's Music and Marketing Manager.
Right beside the academy conveniently lies Timbre @ Old School, an acoustic bar nestled amid creative agencies and art galleries. This acoustic music space and watering hole’s laid back ambiance is just perfect for chilling out. It’s already open early in the afternoon. We chilled out and chatted for a while with Sy Low. She is Timbre’s music and marketing manager and the one directly taking care of us. She shared some of her interesting experiences with musicians they invited over to perform like Bob Dylan and some tidbits from past events.
Old School!
to be continued…
If you’re an indie band playing indie music, what are the chances of getting on the commercial train in the current climate of our music industry? Not very high, of course. Rejecting what artists are force-fed, and the decision that we can do better ourselves is the fundamental premise behind the existence of indie labels, especially in the case of Lilystars Records.
When opportunity knocks
A few years ago, when I ceased to distress myself over the things that is crippling the health of indie and commercial pop music, I get relieved when once in a while, we receive a knock of opportunity that recharges our battery of hope to thrive and continue. The opportunity to gig abroad was one of them.
Last year, we had a very memorable experience at Baybeats in Esplanade, Singapore. Our first festival gig in a foreign country. A year after, we found ourselves back in the streets of this marvelous city, this time to perform intimate shows in a bar setting. We aren’t so good at finding gigs, much less having an ear and awareness for these types of engagements. Luckily, they find us.
As early as July, we received a generous invite from Timbre Group, a company with a diversified portfolio of a holistic and synergistic range of music, lifestyle, entertainment and education brands, to perform on September 13 and 14 in one of their live music bars – Timbre @ The Substation.
The experience was equally memorable as the last one. We got to play more songs (an hour each per night), meet and greet more people, sell more records and more drunken nights with just the four of us getting plastered in a back alley where Spicy Thai Thai Restaurant is located, helping ourselves with large bottles of Carlsberg (600+ml) and extra spicy Thai and Indochinese food till 3Am.
Day 1 in Singapore
We arrived at Changi International Airport a day earlier after boarding the first flight via Tiger Airways. Ben and Sy of Timbre welcomed us and took us to our hotel along Dickson Road. Along the way, i brought up the topic about the Old Changi Hospital, asking if the way it was documented in that horror flick is accurate. He shook his head and discouraged us from visiting that place, considered as one of the scariest places in Singapore. Try watching Haunted Changi to see what it looks like inside out.
We rested for a while and did a short tour of Little India complete with authentic Indian cuisine for lunch. Early evening we decided to visit Marina Bay Sands. Along the way, we kept admiring their ultra convenient bus and train system, so far in comparison with what Manila has to offer.
At Marina Bay Sands mall.
We were able to catch Wonder Full, the free spectacular light and water show, the largest in Southeast Asia. The show employed the mediums of giant water screens, vibrant multicolored high-powered Lasers, search lights, spot lights, fountains, surround sound, strobes, LED lighting, video projection and other special effects. The sights and sounds were astounding and breathtaking. A goosebumps galore moment for all of us.
Wonder Full is definitely a cheap thrill of world-class architecture and musical direction everyone visiting Singapore must see.
It was the best nightcap ever. The weariness from lack of sleep and travel blues was instantly swept away.
Waiting for the bus.
At the Substation – Sept 13
Well rested the following day, we headed early at The Substation where the Timbre branch is located to do a sound check. It was a sizable open-air venue which can hold around 250 people or more. Pretty big actually. We were expecting a closed, intimate space but the ambiance kind of feels like home.
Early sound check at Timbre @ The Substation
A view of one side of the venue from the stage.
Getting the hang of it.
When we finally got the feel of the sound and the stage, we killed the next hour with pizza and bottles of Heineken. Surprisingly, there were a number of Filipino employees working at the bar. And did I mention the front desk lady at our hotel is also a Filipina? One can expect great service on such occasions.
Pizza and beer with our roadie Antonette.
Danny Loong, Timbre's co-founder and creative director, introducing us to the crowd during our first night.
It began to rain the moment we climb the stage to begin the show. We had the pleasure of being introduced by the creative director and one of the founders of Timbre Group – Mr. Danny Loong (who also happens to be an excellent blues guitarist). I was able to chat with him earlier about the music scene in the country and a possible collaboration with Lilystars to bring in great Singapore acts to Manila and vice-versa. Something worth considering especially with the kind of hospitality, promotion and exposure they are giving The Camerawalls.
We also met some folks from Requiem Rising Singapore. An events production group consisting of Filipino young professionals and artists and indie/new wave music enthusiasts. One of their members Deo Virtucio, was kind enough to share some black and white pictures he took during the event. See them below:
Clementine
Law Santiago
Not minding the rain.
Joseph "Bachie" Rudica
Our new guitarist - George Carillo.
All warmed-up and spaced out.
For more photos by Deo Virtucio, click Here.
We were able to capture “The Emperor, The Concubine & The Commoner”, our last song, on video recorded by Antonette.
Some of the good people we met, bought our records and chatted with during our first night at Timbre:
With folks from Requiem Rising Singapore.
…continued at Rich In Love At Timbre (Part 2)
