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By Perry Gil S. Mallari Reporter
AFTER two years of toil,
everything’s coming up like roses for Callalily—composed of
Lemuel Belaro on drums, Tatsi Jamnague on rhythm guitars, Alden
Acosta on lead guitars, Aaron Ricafrente on bass and Kean Cipriano
on vocals—as their debut album Destination XYZ was declared a
certified platinum hit recently. Exploiting the rushing momentum,
Callalily released its sophomore album dubbed Fisheye last month.
The band recently performed in an
intimate concert for selected members of the Philippine press at the
One MGM Place in Boracay. In a roundtable discussion, they gave
insights on their career. Laughing and for the umpteenth time, the
band members clarified that the name Callalily has no connection at
all to the defunct ABS-CBN soap aired two years ago. The band’s
genesis can be traced when Cipriano and Jamnague joined the
“Battle of the Bands” contest in Pateros years ago. Cipriano in
one of their rehearsals bought a bread named “Calla Lily” and
that is where the band got its name. “We just can’t think of a
name for our band then,” he explains. They were eventually
discovered by their manager Darwin Hernandez while performing with 6
Cycle Mind.
Looking back at the past two
years, all the members agree that they all struggled juggling their
time between their studies and their performances. “It’s hard to
work and study at the same time,” they collectively lament. Things
can get really tricky when they have to perform in the countryside.
“It’s quite hard to return to the city from the province in a
flash just to take the school exams,” narrates Ricafrente. Their
zeal for their music evident, Cipriano says their parents started
making remarks such as “Ano, seryosohan na ba ‘yan?” The group
though has proven that their dedication to their craft is not in
vain. Considering the rampant case of piracy in the country,
Callalily considers their first album being certified platinum as a
solid expression of support from their fans. “It’s a clear case
of putting your money where your mouth is,” emphasizes Belaro.
When the conversation drifts to
the current trend of artists actively participating in protests
movements, the group says they have no formal statement for any
political issue but will definitely support any worthwhile cause. As
a case in point, Acosta relates, “We are among those bands who
performed in a pro-life concert last year.”
Commenting on the label “pogi
[pretty boy] rock,” attached to their music by some detractors,
the band members collectively point out that the term is not a fair
assessment of their capabilities as musicians. “I don’t think
it’s right to say that we’re just capitalizing on good looks or
face value,” says Acosta, adding, “A lot of people have liked
our music even before they saw our looks.” He admits though that
they are still perfecting their craft adding that a lot splendid
results they achieved were born out of slip-ups when rehearsing.
“I want to use the term “reckless precision” to describe our
mode of performing,” he elaborates.
The band’s distinct sound,
which can range from whimsical, to grungy, to haunting can be
attributed to the varied sources it derives inspiration from. The
group names Incubus, Prince and Miles Davies as some of their
influences.
With success comes more stress
and all five members admit they have misunderstandings and clashes
once in a while. But they make it a point that disputes won’t get
in the way of their performances, “The show must go on but we can
definitely perform better sans the resentment,” Cipriano intones.
A solid indication that Callalily
is among the hottest Filipino bands today is that Sony Ericsson has
picked the group to endorse it’s latest line of Walkman phones.
Patrick Emmanuel Larraga, marketing manager of Sony Ericsson
Philippines says the band is perfectly cut out for the goal because
of its vim and vigor both in terms of image and musicality. When
asked lightheartedly if they are going to switch phone brands now
that they are Sony Ericsson endorsers the band says there’s really
no need to do so. “The truth is it’s the phone we’re actually
been using long before we were picked by Sony Ericsson as
endorsers,” stresses Cipriano. Explaining their preference for the
brand, Acosta relates, “It’s most probably because we are all
music lovers and Sony Ericsson’s interface of managing music files
is second to none plus of course it’s a very efficient phone.”
Callalily has a new song specially composed for Sony-Erickson
entitled “Eto Na Ang Summer [Summer Is Here].”
The title of their new album
Fisheye gave a hint of the band’s proclivity for the fresh and the
unusual, “It pertains to the “fisheye lens” way of taking
pictures that gives a unique view of an object,” explains Cipriano.
The public should expect more from Callalily in the immediate future
as they scrutinize and sing the mundane and momentous things of
life.
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