ZELLE: UP CLOSE AND DARING

Heaven and hell may forbid but these newly brewed hunks and chick of the Philippine rock galore are perfectly obstinate to count years ferrying the OPM shores with their deeply rooted and meaning musical enterprise. Nonetheless, they won't deny their unique musical style as well as their vulnerability that made them aware of their contingency as new kids on the block learning to struggle and mend things their own way. Like any other group, they are the same individuals who use to eagerly look up the sky in search for a star and then dream big. Now, they are sleeves-up, in perfect stance for the race of their lives to reach for the star.

These daring individuals are classified as rooting from the 'city of stars,' no other than Quezon City. Spearheading their group is a slim rose figure among the class of 'thorns' Jaezelle “zelle” Grutas. She's the crystalline voice behind the hissing claps of cymbals, rhythmic drum rolls, stirring string bends and soothing violin swing. She's the magic behind the prolific penning of their all-origianal songs packed in their debut album “Search For Warmth” under the recording cradle of Sonny-BMG. Her major learnings goes with Alanis Morissette, The Cranberries, Jewel and Avril Lavigne, besides, that she'd been schooled in DNHS. She'd prefer jiving with rock music while teasing her taste buds with her favorite pasta. She goes by hinting us further 'bout herself, “I really love music. It's my life. Simple lang ako. Lahat ng songs na sinulat ko sa album ng Zelle, nag-rereflect sa'kin, sa totoong ako. Although, minsan medyo personal at tinatamaan ako sa songs ko, pero masarap pa rin, lalo na kapag nakikita kong maraming natatamaang tao sa songs ko, natutuwa sila. At minsan, may umiiyak. Wow! Naiintindihan nila yung ginagawa ko. I'm so happy about it.”

Close and kin to the leader of the band and a drummer of the group, Mark Jasper Grutas but he prefers to be called “jap.” Schooled in DNHS with band influences from Karizma, Dream Theater, Dave Mathews and Alanis Morissete. He seldom hums the tunes “Uninvited satellite,” “Sabihin” and “Lihim,” while he pampers himself with mostly Filipino foods with semi-fitted shirts and Straight cut jeans on. He tells us, “I spend most of my time practicing drums and listening to different kinds of music. I don't smoke and drink.”

Bending strings till fingers bled is the lead guitars Archie Cuenco Salvador or “arch” for short. A school boy previously donning his homework at ACSAT. His favorite bands are Mr. Big and Steve Vai Band. In the silence of his heart he loves inspirational songs the way he loves Filipino dishes. He likes to put-on t-shirts and jeans. He quoted us, “very simple, God fearing, rocker, I love my family.”

On the bass is Fernan “enan” Cruz keeping the band's beat steady and booming. Last school attended was St. Claire College of Caloocan. Alanis Morissette, Disivalla, Snow Patrol and the Fray are just few of those whom Enan took his inspirations flattering himself with the songs “Signal Fire,” “Snow Patrol,” “Dishwalla Songs” and a feed of “emotional songs.” He is not a picky eater, he eats everything and wares everything! He simply tells us, “23 yrs old, tall, simple and bass player.”

He keeps the band's tune in heavenly swing as he plays the strings of unity on his violin. Anthony Ramirez who wants to be called “ton” for short, finished BA Management at NCBA. His musical influences is multifarious, come whoever they are as long as it danced with his favorite music such as “Standards,” “Instrumentals,” “Rock Music” and “Christian Songs.” He usually feeds his tongue palate with Burgers, Italian Pasta and Filipino cuisines. As long as styles and clothing fashion is concerned, he usually wares his best bib and tucker with simple and elegant clothes and a pamper on his feet, a Converse Chuck-Taylor shoes will do. He cited himself as, “simple man, loves adventures, loves motorcycles and motorcycle racing. I play piano and guitar, I play violin in the band “Zelle.” I don't smoke and don't drink.”

Now they're here for more bits from their thoughts, and it's not on a cold compartmentalized studio vicinity. It's on an inviting lounge inside Pizza Hut Bistro at Robinsons Galleria with generous treat of whatever pleases the tongue and warms the heart. I've got an hour or two capturing their musical inner mind.

Any stories to tell before you formally end up as band?
(Jaezell)Nag start ako ng solo, Jaezell ang gamit kung name. Twelve ako no'ng nag-aral ako with my brother, so sabay kami as a band na talaga with my cousin, sya yung naging basist namin. Then at seventeen, nag start ako mag solo as performer talaga sa mga bars. Then after two years nag-decide ako na mag buo ng band. Naisip ko na gumawa ng song na sarili. So doon na nag start yung Zelle. Si Enan yung una kung naging ka-band, friend n'ya si Anthony, yung violinist namin, kaya naging ka-member namin s'ya. Si Archie after a year or two years, noong mag aalbum na kami bago s'ya nasama sa amin. Bali ang original member ng Zelle yung dati naming drummer, Enan, ako tapus si Anthony. Then noong time na umalis yung dati naming drummer, kinuha ko ang kapatid ko si (kuya) Jasper na makasama namin sa band. Lately, ng magbobou na kami ng album, wala kaming mahanap na lead guitarist, pero tuloy pa rin yung Zelle. At that time nag jam s'ya (Archie) sa amin tapus nakita s'ya ng manager namin tapus tinanong kung s'ya na yung guitarist namin, sinagot ko kaagad ng yes (laughs). Tapos tinanong ko s'ya (Archie) pag baba ng stage, oy sama ka na. Medyo nalilito pa noon si Archie eh, kaya inunahan na namin s'ya. Saka 'di na kailangan mag audition ni Archie noon dahil nakikita naman namin s'ya sa mga bars, magaling naman s'ya.

“...wag silang matakot mag explore, na kunyari gusto nilang magpasok ng ganitong instrument, feel free lang na i-explore lang nila kung ano yung gusto nilang gawin sa music nila. Kumbaga wag silang makulong sa mga stereotypical na setup ng banda, kasi puede naman yung ibang creativity na puedeng ipasok, feel free to do their thing.”

What's with the name Zelle? Zelle kasi yung neck name ni Jaezell, doon kinuha. Collectively yung Zelle na pangalan na yun for the whole band yun. Dati, bago pa ang Zelle nag iisip pa kami ng iba't-ibang pangalan, hanggang sa napag disisyonan naming Zelle na lang kasi wala ng maisip eh.

What were those gratifying challenges that you encountered before you've been signed-up and as of the present? Pressure. Lalo na sa paggawa ng song.Umabot ng two years yung paggawa ng original songs. Kasi ang mahirap doon yung ibabalik mo yung mga nakaraan para makagawa ka ng songs. Medyo personal talaga s'ya. Minsan pag gumagawa kami ng song tapus parang lumabas na parang ginawa lang s'ya sa isip lang at hindi sa puso, tinatanggal namin yung song. Kasi talagang mas maganda yung music na galing sa puso. Saka yung mga ginawa naming songs, yung mga ginawa naming instrument lines talagang pinag-isipan namin. Kaya bawat isa sa amin talagang napiga yung creativity para medyo maiba ng kunti.

Any necessary adjustments that you have done since your main vocal is a 'flower' and the rest are 'thorns?' (Jaezell) Sa kanila 'di naman ako nahirapan, kasi madali naman silang kausap eh. Minsan 'di maiwasan na mayrong sagutan, pero intindihan na lang. (Anthony) So kung may sama ng loob sinasabi kaagad, kasi panget yung tinatago eh. (Jaezell) Bago kami nag start ng album, nag punta pa kami sa isang place, tapus nag usap-usap kami, “ano yung gusto natin ten years from now, yung mga fears natin na mangyayari sa atin,” ano yung mga possibilities na mangyayari na maganda at 'di maganda. Kung ano yung ayaw namin sa isa't-isa isinulat namin para malaman namin yung mga kailangan naming i-ajust sa isa't-isa.

How is your rapport with your first recording label?
Sobrang saya namin saka flattered. Kasi kung suportahan kami ng Sonny-BMG parang signed artist din talaga nila. Kaya sobrang thankful kami.


BITS FROM THE PIECES

Instead of self-titled, why do you call it “Search For Warmth?”
(Jaezell) Kasi yung songs ko very personal eh. It's from my heart yung mga ginawa kung songs. Pagdating sa paggawa ng songs, hinahanap ko yung sarili ko kasi sobrang busy ko na, so sa sobrang busy ko na, 'di ko na maharap yung sarili ko. Alam mo yung hindi ka na makapag-isip kung ano na ba ako ngayon, pag may problema kinakalimutan lang agad. So pagdating doon sa song, doon ko naanalize na nagsi-search pala ako ng warmth sa sarili. So eto pala ako, kailangan kung harapin kung ano man yung problema.
(Anthony) Saka maidadagdag ko lang, yung Search For Warmth appropriate s'ya sa lahat, kasi yung human nature nga nag yeyearn tayo for comfort, love saka understanding.

What is something so special about the album?
Being its first kaya naging special yung album. Syempre, first album namin s'ya as group. Talagang doon namin na-experience lahat ng first eh. Tulad ng first recording namin ng album. Kaya yung effort saka yung effort na dinanas namin doon, syempre iba. Special din yung album kasi lahat ng kanta namin original, walang revival. Kasi dapat sa unang album namin makilala kami sa mga sarili naming kanta. Saka gusto rin naming makapag ambag ng musik sa industria. At sana maging legend kami (smiles) at umabot sa point na may mag rerevive ng songs. Hindi naman s'ya yung sa fame yung iniisip namin, kumbaga parang gusto naming mai-share talaga yung music.

Any particular track in your album that touches you most as a band?
Sabihin. At s'ya rin talaga yung pinili naming song. And yan yung pinaka totoong si 'Zelle' (laughs). Yan yung napag-desisyonan namin na pinaka the best na mag describe sa amin in terms of musicality and in terms of Jaezell's voice. Yung ibang songs, si Enan yung gumawa. Saka may isang track doon na si Brian Josef (new signed musical hunk of Sony-BMG) yung gumawa, yung “As You Believe.”

What can you guarantee me if I were to buy your album?
Sobrang organic ng sound. What you hear is what you get. Then ginamit din namin yung mga latest equipment para e-record s'ya. (Pero) 'Di masyado s'ya ma-effects, kaya organic talaga yung sounds n'ya.


IN YOUR OPINION

If you were not a band, what are you doing at this very moment?
Baka nasa opisina. Siguro nag babantay ng computer shop. Ako siguro mayor na ngayon (laughs). Nagdo-drawing.

At first impression, what is music for you?
Music is my life(Jaezell). One thing kung bakit nandito ako sa Pilipinas kasi ayokong pumunta ng ibang bansa para kumanta ng ibang kanta, gusto kung nandito ako sa Pilipinas para mag share ng music sa mga Pilipino. (Other members) Pag walang music walang buhay eh. Kumbaga in the olden times pa, nandon na yung music. Nag rerepresent s'ya ng harmony sa life. Kahit chaotic, kahit magulo music pa rin eh. In the same way dahil musicians nga kami, yung music sa amin mahalaga dahil doon kami nabubuhay. Kaya ang music naging bread and butter na namin.

Who do you think is in need of more music, the listeners or the artists?
Both. Para kasi sa mga nakikinig parang may seed sa heart yan na na momove s'ya pag naririnig n'ya yung music, human nature yun eh. In the same way yung mga musicians or mga artist na gumagawa ng music ganon din yung effect, na momove din sila. Doon din sa side ng gumagawa, listener na rin s'ya eh. Yung mga nakikinig naman may musicianship at heart na rin yan, bakit s'ya nakikinig ng music.

Any foreign or local bands you associate yourselves with?
Bawat isa sa amin nanggaling sa iba't-ibang banda na may iba't-ibang tugtugan. Kaya iba't-iba rin yung influence namin. Pero since nabuo yung Zelle dahil sa female yung vocalist namin nagkinig kami sa foreign at mga local na artist na female din yung vocalist. Si Jaezelle nakikinig s'ya ng Alanis, Cranberries, Jewel. Pero kami rin nakikinig rin kami ng mga ganon.

What is the hardest part in doing music?
Siguro yung pagod. Pag rerecord, medyo nakakakaba. Yung pagrerecord dapat wala kang space para sa kunting pakakamali. Pero noong matapus naman yung recording talagang satisfied naman kami.

What is your opinion about music piracy?
Yung piracy kasi yun yung makaka apekto ng grabe sa mga musikero. Hindi lang s'ya financially dahil hindi bebenta yung album, kundi as dignity na rin ng musicians. Masasaktan yung artists. Parang Idol mo nga yung artist, pero 'di mo naman pinapatronize yung product nya. Parang sa faith din kay God, naniniwala ka kay God pero iba yung sinasamba mo.

What are those particular uniqueness that you have from the other bands?
Actually sa boses pa lang ni Jaezelle iba na yung boses nya. May ibang quality yung boses nya na kakaiba sa ibang band. In the same way yung playing styles namin iba-iba rin, kaya yun yong naging unique sa amin kasi hindi kamin sumunod sa nakakakulong na path sa pagiging musician. Marami din namang bands na may violin pero may inicorporate na style na gusto ko (Anthony). Branded as organic nga yung sound namin kasi yung mga instruments nga namin talalgang ganun lang sya ka-simple pero maganda naman.


UP AND CLOSER

What is the best thing music has done in your life so far, particularly now that you are formally in the industry?
Sa aming magkakapatid (Jaezelle and Jasper) wala masyado. Kasi simula ng ipanganak kami, yung parents namin saka yung kapaligiran namin talagang puro musicians na eh. Kaya habang lumalaki kami, lalo nila kaming naiimpluwensyahan sa music. Yung mga pagbabago syempre yung nabigyan kami ng pagkakataon na maging isang recording artists.

How do you define success when it comes to the realm of music?
(Jaezell) Ako, yung ma-touch ko yung tao sa mga words na sasabihin ko. Subrang success na yun para sa akin. Minsan nagpupunta kami nag concert, and intro pa lang ng concert nag sisigawan na yung mga tao. Five time na nangyari na gusto kung umiyak on stage dahil hindi mo malalaman na kilala nila yung kanta hanga't hindi mo nakikita na nagrereact sila sa'yo. Isa doon yung kanta ng Zelle na kinilala ng tao. Minsan hindi inisip na aabot sa ganon na matatatouch yung mga tao doon sa song. And it success for us all.

What's the greatest legacy you think you can impart to your fellow rock artists?
Tugtog lang, kasi pag naging musician ka, pag pinasuk mo yung pagiging musician, ibig sabihin mahal mo yung music. Kahit isa sa amin kasi wala kaming bisyo. Like some seventies people, yung mga hippies na-impluwensyahan nila yung iba sa drugs hanggang sa kumalat na. Ngayon marami na akong nakikitang kaibahan, ang iba Christian ganon. Like my parents told me na noong araw daw na pag banda ka user ka, kaya inaavoid nila yung mga anak nila na magbanda, pero ngayon medyo nawawala na yun. Saka wag silang matakot mag explore, na kunyari gusto nilang magpasok ng ganitong instrument, feel free lang na i-explore lang nila kung ano yung gusto nilang gawin sa music nila. Kumbaga wag silang makulong sa mga stereotypical na setup ng banda, kasi puede naman yung ibang creativity na puedeng ipasok, feel free to do their thing.

What are those foreseen career goals that you haven't told us yet?
Songs and more songs. And hoping we come to be known as matinong banda.

What is your opinions about bands coming to an end or disbanding?
Hindi natin ma-judge na mali yun. Kasi sometimes mas better na mag disband kung hindi magkakasundo. Minsan mas healthy na gawin yun. May mga personal reasons kung bakit ganun, for as long na peaceful yung ending good pa rin yun. Or as artist baka ayaw na nila ng ganitong music gusto ko ganito na. Ganun naman talaga yung ugali ng artist eh, minsan paiba-iba yung isip. Pero kung ano man yung naging disisyon nila nererespeto namin. You'll never know darating at darating ang point na ganyan, hanggat nandyan pa yung drive, yung energy, kumbaga tuloy-tuloy lang. At sa buhay rin naman natin wala rin namang permanente, talagang dumarating yung mga panahon na kahit di naman nag-aaway talagang napag-uusapan na ganon. Saka rare din yung bandang hanggang sa tumanda, sila pa rin.

Do you believe that same thing might happen to you too?
Hangga't nandito pa yung drive namin saka will make an effort naman na ma-reconcile yung mga differences. Sa ngayon walang problema eh, masaya kami sa isa't-isa. Saka halos lahat kami talagang gusto namin music, kaya siguradong tatagal tayo (smiles). Saka na-acknowledge namin sa grupo na yun yung mga points na makakapagpa-disband sa isang grupo, kaya aware kamin doon.

How would you manage to explain to you supporters when things such as that come?
Siguro naman kung magdidisband kami kung saka-sakali, kailangan ayos pa rin kami sa isat isa. So mawala man yung isa, kailangan maayos pa rin. Kasi pagnapilayan kasi yung isang banda ang hirap bumangon, yung tunog ng banda nagbabago yun eh. Kung saka-sakali man, mag babalik banda pa rin kami kung madidisband kami. Kundi man may kanya-kanya na rin kaming grupo.

At your end, what would you say to them?
Salamat sa lahat ng sumusuporta sa Zelle. Hanggat kaya namin andito lang kami para mag-share ng music. Kahit anong intriga, kahit ano man yung problemang dumating nandito lang ang Zelle. (Thank you) sa mga tao na bumili ng album saka sa mga bibili pa (smiles), saka sa mga susuporta, saka sa mga naka-appreciate at sa hindi rin at mga critics, thank you rin dahil nandyan rin sila. Kami naman as long as kaya pa namin mag produce ng music namin isi-share talaga namin yung talents namin. Bigay to ni God eh, saka God's will din kaya nagkaroon ng Zelle. Saka sa mga sumusuporta sa amin, hanggat nandiyan kayo, nandito lang kami. Love music, love yourself and above all love God.

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