I can’t get over being flabbergasted about the underground scene and being in a room full of straight people. Having been used to having lots of gays around me all the time sorta been the thing, and certainly, partying with the straight crowd (like myself) is like being in a new world.
my kindred spirit ed, invited me to check out Saguijo, a rockers haven my side of Makati (can you believe that?), Cynthia Alexander is playing and there’s no way I’m gonna miss out on her again. It’s been a good six years or so since I saw her play at the UP bandstand. What’s more, Kate Torralba is gonna be on as well and I effing love her style, I remember being blown away seeing her play Alanis’ Your House during the Alanis Morissette tribute concert at the Shangrila Strip in 2005 in time for the promotion of Jagged Little Pill Acoustic. I thought she was on it more for a hobby coz I’ve always known her as a designer. As it turns out, she loves music all that much and its a plus factor that she plays the songs I know and love.
We got to the venue around 11pm, I could already hear Kate’s passionate piano keyboard playing from the gate and I just wanna jump and pop myself inside. It’s Ed’s first time to see Kate, I have put a good word about her so by then i think Ed is expecting to be blown away. Kate didn’t fail him after delivering her piano driven renditions of songs from Regina Spektor, Tori Amos and Radiohead.
One of the highlights of the night was when Kate mumbled she didn’t have a setlist and we’re welcome to make a request, like an autopilot, I yelled “Your House”, she said “What?” “that’s the Alanis song without music right? and seconds after, she was widowing the notes I suppose she arranged from 3 years back and sang it to us. Electricity flowed through me as if like butterflies in my stomach, and I felt Ed shaking, shivers went down his spine and were both cringing, not minding that Kate have already forgotten some words and which lines go where. I thought to myself “not even Alanis can do that song like that”. There goes the part where I wished we got there earlier to hear more of Kate’s heart in sound performance. What I like most about her playing is, she conquers the song and owns it. Its that thing you find in rock that you wont find in RnB or house music.
Once again, there I was singing along to songs from the wicked and extra talented songwriters from the golden age of alternarock 90s, in chorus with people who find relevance in these songs the way i do. Nostalgia is the word, common ground is the place, music is the language!
Kate ended her set and walked up to friends, Ed couldn’t contain his excitement and came up to Kate and thanked her for the music. She’s warm and very welcoming and just sweet.
Cynthia Alexander took the stage next with her 2-piece acoustic ensemble, multi-instrumentalist Malou and a bongo player plus her on guitar. She’s just how I remembered her from way way back. She opened with a song I’ve never heard and words I do not understand, but the language of music does the work so all is well.
Memories rained on me hearing Cynthia’s songs like Comfort in your Strangeness, Malaya, Insomnia live and straight from the lady herself. About this time, I looked around and saw and heard a whole lot of people humming along. We must be from the same generation and likely the same wavelength.
It’s a bit different to hear Kate sing international classic rock ditties to hear Cynthia’s renowned songs. She was never mainstream and is known only to those who dig the whole rock genre and tune in to NU107, therefore, a dot in a humongous circle. Might I add the rock crowd has evolved all too much, they are dressed to the nines as opposed to the old greasy, all black outfitters of the 90s. They are eloquent, reserved and has seemingly disposed the trash talking. Boi have we grown.
Simply sitting in a dark corner of the room listening to Cynthia and Malou gave me a natural high, so high I didn’t even complain the bar is a non-smoking room. A few notes at the start of Malaya and Insomnia ticked my eardrum and sent me to peak at the moment. I’ve heard these songs prolly a million times yet it always sounds new, fresh and continuously growing in me.
Outside, we caught up with Cynthia and Malou talking about the olden days of bandemonium and how bad the local music industry turned out over the years in the hands of who knows who. Malou, Ed and I went deep into the conversation discussing the fate of rock legends Eraserheads, Rivermaya=Bamboo Manalac=Rico Blanco=Perf de Castro. I cant believe I have the names and know a bit of history of those acts, more so care enough what became of them, yet I suppose I really do care.
Chilled out a bit at the outer lobby of Saguijo while Paramita(*they go by a new name now, cant remember) is playing. Kate, as I was told was getting down and dancey inside. She came out after the rocking wrapped up and caught up with friends at the next table. She invited for us and everybody for kebab in Mr. Kebab all the way in QC, which we had to refuse considering the time and distance. She let us in a little secret, an album will be out in March 2009 and i’ll be there when it hits the racks.
The whole Saguijo experience is like a drug to me, like a vice I ditched and got back to. At the same time, it’s an eye opener, I discovered I’m a true blue rakista. Now, I’m all psyched to go home and dust off my guitar and play music again. Thanks Ed for re-igniting the old fire. I had a blast!
Rock On!
Derailed Thoughts 