Tunoglokal is a side project that started with my desire to connect with musicians in Queensland. I just initially wanted to talk to radio people for my research and hoped that those conversations lead me to musicians, artists and the Filipino community in general. I got even more than that. Who knew it will lead me to produce and broadcast my own radio program instead.
The idea of producing TunogLokal came to mind when Reggie, another 4EB Filipino broadcaster, asked me if I have an idea for a program following my expression of interest to join the 4EB Filipino programming group. I met Reggie at a Filipino Festival in 2019 when I approached her as she bumps out her Van Jam session at four in the afternoon. Van Jam lets people sing OPM (Original Pilipino Music) inside and outside the OB (outside broadcast) van, and that day, people were just enjoying the jam with her.
4EB Radio Filipino programming group gives premium to Filipino music and most songs played on the radio are the usual songs that speak to Filipino migrants' hearts. Undeniably, these songs bring them back to the Philippines, a sort of 'home-making', 'memory' and representation. During festivals and in the Van Jam, bands and singers perform covers of Filipino or Anglo-American music. But with literally thousands of musicians and artists in the Philippines, there's still a lot to hear from the Philippine music scene. I know some of them, so I said, why not create a program for that purpose then?
On another note, I've been reading and writing about global popular music for some months now and I'm still surprised how we are known as excellent cover musicians but very limited songs in global airwaves. It always gets me thinking why? That's actually what I'm working on right now in my research. But another way to address this is to go beyond reading and writing. It's time to let the world know what Filipino musicians have and are capable of. And TunogLokal aims just that.
TunogLokal showcases music from independent artists in different parts of the Philippines, attempting to focusing more on music and musicians outside Metro Manila. This is to show that there is a great music scene in other parts of the Philippines and we would like to share it to Australia and beyond. I wanted to give a global spin to local Filipino music, that's why I don’t usually put a space between the letters G and L connecting the words 'Tunog' (sound) and 'Lokal' (local). There is the desire to emphasise the term 'Glocal' to signify interconnection of the global and the local.
The introductory/teaser episode showed what this means, which was also spelled out further through the featured songs. This post is also the first of many music reviews that I'll be doing here. Let's dive in!
Cagayan Roots (Tuguegarao City, Cagayan): Island Groovin'
An easy-going, steady, tranquil sensibility of roots reggae paralleled with an island vibe. That's how you'd feel as you listen to 'Island Groovin'' by Cagayan Roots from Tuguegarao City, Cagayan Valley (an unlikely place for a reggae outfit).
Cagayan Roots is a band formed in 2006 and, as their bio states, "they play classic beats of the 50s to contemporary reggae music from Fat Freddy’s Drop, Katchafire, Peter Tosh and Bob Marley". They’ve been invited to play at the Bob Marley Day in Manila, 420 Philippines Peace, Arts and Music Festival, Laguna Music Festival, Gaway-gawayan Festival and Aggao Nac Cagayan Festival, to name a few. The band is composed of Dawn (bass), Kantaru (vocalist), Kate (back up vocals), Jermaine (keyboards), Joni (guitars), and Skie (drums).
The bass line of the Island Groovin reminds me of the thumping in 'Three Little Birds' though it acts as a piece that holds the groove together more than just a catchy riff. The vocals show a distinctive tone, though the song would benefit further if some lines are clearly articulated and harmonically-balanced. It's not hard to like 'Island Groovin'' as it exudes optimism, inviting you to "show them how you're groovin..." and "feel the island groovin'...".
Koko & The Kildren (Maribojoc, Bohol): Bisyo-Bisyo
There was a time in the Philippines when BisRock (a portmanteau of Bisaya, a Filipino language, and Rock music) was a hit even in the national radio - because of the popularity of 1017 and Missing Filemon. That was the period when bands from Visayas and Mindanao were able to penetrate the airwaves using their local language, but the Manila-centric and colonial mentality of Filipino audience and the market still stalled the rise of the genre because of how the use of local language is seen as kitsch or bakya / baduy in the popular culture and music industry.
Years later, songs in the Visayan language still thrive and the movement is growing as different provinces are also coming up with their hyperlocal music scenes. In Bohol, one of the upcoming bands who write songs in their local language is Koko & The Kildren. Hailing from Maribojoc in Bohol province, the band is composed of Nikko (vocals and guitar), CK (guitar), Noel Earl (guitar), Adriane (bass) and Giles (drums). They started as an acoustic group in Valencia, Bohol in 2018 and eventually just went full-on as a band after winning heaps of band comps in their area.
The song 'Bisyo-Bisyo' is a call for people to think twice about their vices so as not to regret such actions. 'Kay wa'y kapuslanan ang bisyo mong gisudlan/Biya na'g pagbag-o/Malipay pa'ng ginikanan mo' (Your vice is useless/Give up and change already/And this will make your parents happy). Lyrics aside, the song reminds me of another Bisrock band called Phylum and somehow gives me the pop-rock vibe of Session Road's 'Suntok sa Buwan' including the guitar tone. Bisyo-Bisyo is filled with energy and potential as a pop favourite as it could make a crowd sing, especially in the chorus, while maintaining the groove in the verses.
Brixio Lakbai Musika (Baguio City/Catanduanes): Lakbai Musika
Having travelled in different places to spread positivity through music and love for humanity, Brixio is radiating good vibes in his song 'Lakbai Musika'. His broad repertoire as a folk singer and experience in touring different places in the Philippines are also reflected in this song. The greatest thing about the 'Lakbai Musika' is how it calls us to re-think our character based on positive traits in every line.
'Magtulungan, magkaisa tayo, iangat ang talento ng iba' (Let's help each other, let's unite, lift other people's talent). That's how Brixio has been doing for the past how many years now being a guitar teacher, choirmaster, performer, singer-songwriter and entrepreneur. In this song, he makes sure that the message gets through by clearly articulating what we need to do in our journey both in music and life.
The steady one drop beat together with the consistent bass line makes the song easy to get. The brass parts also add a joyful mood that complements the message that the song conveys. This locked-in groove encourages the listener to dance and sing along - "...halina't sumabay/sama-sama tayo, sa Lakbai Musika" (come and let's do this together/come along, to Lakbai Musika [Brixio's business trademark but roughly translated as musical journey]).
And this is TUNOGLOKAL, the sound of our town. Listen to the songs and tell us what you think. The independent artists would really appreciate your reviews and support. Subscribe to their channels and pages: CAGAYAN ROOTS - @cagayanrootsofficial Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjahZdpCRe45WhdWQstt0Jg
KOKO AND THE KILDREN - @kokoandthekildrenph
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3kNGyFu
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/2LXoEGSiuzPJsUziGaLsdw?si=J7v4c5nrSaO4EuvuAKCH-Q Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC34he8OzEq-2BedqI5BKz0Q
LAKBAI MUSIKA NI BRIXIO - @lakbaimusika101
TUNOGLOKAL RADIO AU - @tunoglokalradioau
Youtube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLk8W8swEl50bBh3tgn1ppq4sMNCeQCx5O
Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0alvtCyFnuGrl7Yl1lHzVC?si=sm2VAXdTRaewTywnKHjXFw
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