We've been with this band for quite some times, near or far, rain or shine, thick or thin. However, at this juncture it's both sides of the stories that they have to tell and we have to be with.They're grandiose of the fact that they have something again laid on the silver platter for the OPM industry and for the people themselves, no other than their new album. On the other hand, they're melancholic of the fact that one of their members bringing up the beat is about or is leaving them for some viable reasons.
It's a big chap on their musical integrity as well as to their interpersonal chemistry. Chris Cantada is an iconic figure to their band as he has this distinct personality among them, and so with the other members. This brought Sponge Cola a definitive impression rightly called their own. Nevertheless, no matter how securely we hold on to our senses, there are times we need to let go for good or for anything else.
It's once again our pleasure to brush shoulders with Sponge Cola on the set for pictorial and interview sessions with them. They seem to exude casual impressions on us that everything's fine, relying more on the fact that they have more to celebrate than to fall back at their shoulders. Their new album, spearheaded by “Puso” as their hit single, is reason enough for a toss and smiles on every ones face. Basically, we have to know how things are going on with the conceptualization all throughout the release of the album. It takes time, finance, energy and forty-winks to come with digitally packaged song offerings.
Yael kids, “well if you count the writing process, I would have to say 14 years. There is a song in this album that was written 14 years ago, we just updated the lyrics a bit, fixed it up and there, good to go.” Originally, it takes only two or three months for them to come up with it, however there are songs that have long been queuing the line for a record, justifies Armo, “the whole album was recorded in a period of about 2-3 months, but some of the songs that are included have been around since even before our first album, Palabas. I think the oldest song in this album is around 9 years old.” Gosh adds, “basically, the whole summer up to July. Most of the songs were conceived during that period as well.”
Along with their music's evolutions are some technical improvisation that would have spiced up their musicality. Yael intuits that there might have been something to be improved.Armo on the other hand tries to elaborate, “we always try our best to incorporate new or unusual ideas that would add different dimensions to the songs, or make them more interesting to listen to. The morse code message at the end of Saturn would probably be an example, as well as helicopter at the end of All the Time.” Some were on the drum loops, synths and others, said Gosh, “we dabbled with drum loops, synths, strings and a battalion of drummers.” It's a usual phenomenon when making the best out of everything is a hard won fact.
Yael testifies, “we had a problem with guitar intonation in the beginning. From months of gigging left and right, it’s only natural for the gear to take a beating. We had them fixed, so we lost a week.” He thanked Jun Castro for making something on his guitar that makes it sounds great. For Armo, the hardest part would be the redoing songs that they don’t really fell. “The hardest part of recording was redoing certain songs that didn’t exactly feel right for us. And a lot of time was spent with experimenting and playing around with different set-ups to get different tones and sounds.”
With all these, their's always somebody giving them all the support they deserved. Their recording label takes the other side of the balance for some remote aspects of their ventures. “Universal Records is very supportive. They just asked for updates. There was really no pressure from them,” complements Yael. Armo quips his gratefulness to the label, “thankfully, the record company was very supportive and they trusted us with our own material. I’m very grateful that they gave us that kind of creative freedom.”
These guys might not live and leave the day without enjoying the fruition of the recording they did. Yael did enjoyed the fun with dropping-by friends and colleagues. “I had so much fun! Our friends dropped by, we had a blast! Our producers were great as well. Thanks to my brothers Yanny and Pat Bruthas.” Armo sighs with a smile saying, “this album was by far the most difficult that we had to do in terms of fatigue, physical stress, and sleep deprivation, but it’s also the most convenient, comfortable, and easy to do because we enjoy each other’s company and we’re always inspired to make something good out of it, which gave us the strength to do something refreshing and exciting.” Gosh lives a spit away from the recording studio making it more accessible at a wish to go. “I live the nearest to our recording studio. It was easy for me to go there on a whim and arrive early so somewhat I spent the most time there compared to my band mates.”
TICK TACK TALK
Who's penning or song writing is dominant in this album?
YAEL: Penning Hardaway. Haha! Yanny’s pen, producer’s notes.
ARMO: Yael and Gosh are still the main songwriters in this effort but there has been more collaborations with each other this time around. This album is a product of good teamwork and working with each other’s strengths.
GOSH: Yael. But all of us are very involved in the songwriting process.
What “Puso” has something to do with the album and as your single?
YAEL: Saging lang ang may puso!
ARMO: I believe that it’s a statement of hope, perseverance, and triumph over personal struggles, which is a recurring theme in this album. Plus it’s really fun to play live.
Any of the songs you presume or intuit to hit local charts?
YAEL: I don’t really think of songs in terms of hits. Hopefully they do turn out to be, but I really just want to make people happy with the songs.
Which song did you spent a little more time in recording or in the recording studio? What I mean is a little bit difficult?
YAEL: I had a hard time singing Saturn and Puso because they were very high. But I still had fun singing the difficult songs. Kasama sa k'wento 'yung taas at hirap ng kanta eh.
ARMO: For me it was “’Di Na Mababawi” and “Wala Kang Katulad” because those two songs were done, overdone, and redone so many times just to get the feel of them right. Each note and each part had to say something and mean it. But all in all, we’re very happy with how they turned out.
What language are you comfortable in making songs, English or Tagalog?
YAEL: English.
ARMO: Probably English.
GOSH: I’m comfortable in making songs in Tagalog.
We've listen to the album and it's great. We've noticed a lot of emotion on the tracks, what were some of the inspirations behind the songs lyrically and musically?
YAEL: Hahaha. Went through a lot of things while recording. I’m guessing somehow, they translated. Oh, and basketball gets me all intense.
ARMO: We get the inspiration whenever we experience things that move us—from a short story, driving home early in the morning from recording sessions, to a losing basketball game, to just hanging around the beach with your friends. It just seems to be anywhere you want to find it, hehe.
Who conceptualized the cover or appearance of the album?
YAEL: We conceptualized it along with our friend Mica and our manager and dear friend Raymond.
ARMO: The credit goes to Mica Santos. She’s a friend from college, and a great artist and graphic designer. She knows each of us personally and really made an effort to understand what we wanted to do with the album.
GOSH: Mica Santos and the band
What is the prevailing beat of the songs in the album?
YAEL: Moderato Chocolate.
ARMO: “Two hearts. Two hearts that beat as one. Our lives have just begun”
How did your label remarked your album, this early?
YAEL: I think they’re into it. Haha!
How was the feel of the album or the music itself with one of your members leaving?
YAEL: I think it made the album a bit more emotional and dramatic. Parang “seize the day” talaga yung attitude namin knowing Chris was leaving. May ganun din sa Transit since we knew na aalis na siya at the time, pero nung time na 'yun, we knew there would still be another album. This is THE album, so there.
ARMO: It was hard at first, because we all had to adjust and it was twice as consuming to arrange and record songs. But we managed it well.
Anything in the album that you think you must have improved?
YAEL: Diet. We ate healthier food this time around.
ARMO: I think we improved in the honesty and sincerity department. We didn’t put anything in there that we knew was just for show or to impress anybody. Everything we committed into the album is there for a reason, and because we believed and knew that they ought to be there; nothing more, nothing less.
How do you say that your album has improved when it comes to its maturity?
YAEL: I’m guessing its more mature, but we didn’t try or anything, we just did our thing. Sabi ng mga nakarinig mas mature daw eh.
Were these songs written during one specific time period or over the course of many years?
YAEL: Many years.
ARMO: Some were written on the spot during recording, while some were around since 1999.
GOSH: Two of the album tracks were once part of our EP prior to the first album. But most of the songs were written during the course of recording.
When you went into the studio to record the album how many songs did you have and how did you decide which ones would make it onto the album?
YAEL: We already had a lot from what I remember. We tried to record as many songs as possible. Mukhang sa 14 talaga bumagsak eh.
ARMO: We just wrote and recorded, and allowed the album to take shape on its own; if a song was half-hearted or half-baked, we took it out and worked on it until we were confident with it. There were still some songs that we never finished arranging, but maybe they’ll make it onto the next album.
To whom do want to offer this album?
YAEL: To you.
ARMO: To our friends, families, loved ones, fans, supporters, believers, and anybody who has an open mind.
GOSH: To all those who believed in and supported us from the beginning.
This is gonna be the last album along with Chris as the drummer. What was your initial reaction when he broke the news with you guys?
YAEL: Sad. But that was Transit pa. Mas sad when we were working on his last album na talaga.
How's your relationship with Chris?
YAEL: Ok!
GOSH: We’re still friends.
What's your plan now that Chris is leaving the band?
YAEL: Get Niles of Angulo because they’re long lost twins! Haha!
ARMO: Keep the fire burning.
Any song dedicated to Chris?
YAEL: Chris wrote and sang a song. I dedicate that to him, but I didn’t write it. Haha!
What are the things you gonna miss with Chris?
YAEL: Ang dami, matagal na panahon din yun.
Anything you'd like to add? (or as you are pleased, add questions you wanna answer.)
YAEL: 1+1 Maraming Salamat sa Pinoy Mag! Sorry lagi akong late.
♫♫♫
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