The indie pop rock band experiments with their artistic side on the new release
They say “history repeats itself,” and so do music genres, thus the revival of indie pop and rock in fusion rotates on a full circle moment again.
After another decade with artists like Ang Bandang Shirley, The Dorques, and Us-2 Evil-0, OPM band The Vowels They Orbit brings back synth-based piano tunes.
The Vowels They Orbit is composed of Nikka Melchor (vocals), Hannah Dela Cruz (keys/backup vocals), Jeremy Sayas (drums/backup vocals), Gene Santiago (guitars), and Patch Javier (bass). The band’s music intertwines radio-friendly influences of indie essential The Cardigans and a bit of spice jazzing it up with the keys.
In an exclusive sit-down interview with FreebieMNL, the band opens up about new things that the band has learned from their latest effort “tuloy tuloy tuloy.”
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“tuloy tuloy tuloy“
The Vowels They Orbit has recently released their sophomore effort titled “tuloy tuloy tuloy.” Nikka Melchor explains that the new EP is the continuation of their first one “Unang Ikot”
“It talks about cycles of emotion that we’ve dealt [with] personally. Even through that cycle of emotion, we’ve decided to continue on doing. Kahit ‘tuloy tuloy tuloy’ ang mga nangyayari sa buhay natin, tuloy lang,” the vocalist explains.
The first EP for them was “a mixture of emotions,” coming from their younger selves dealing with different emotions and life events.
Melchor adds, “Kaya ‘Ang Unang Ikot’ kasi ang dami naming emotions din na napagdaanan [noon]. May hurt doon, kilig, selos, regret, revenge. Since we were younger, I guess parang kalat-kalat. Ang dami mong nararamdaman. Ganun ang songs [dun], e. Parang ngayon, kinikilig ako ‘tapos mamaya, galit ako.”
Their new EP shows how they have learned to manage the feelings they once had before. “Dito sa ‘tuloy tuloy tuloy,’ yes we have those emotions [pa rin] pero alam na naming i-control. Kasi from unang track namin parang marupok ka pa, e,” says Melchor.
When FreebieMNL asked about major influences for the new album, The Vowel They Orbit members mention having different takes. Male members did say “mga rakista kaming boys.” Their synth and keys Hannah Dela Cruz, as Melchor mentions, is into jazz.
Despite the different sound and styles each member prefers, Melchor mentions that the indie pop rock genre is most present at their new EP, with The Cardigans as their major influence. The dynamic frontwoman also explains that their last track titled “Comeback To Me” is sort of a teaser for their next release.
Now, the band is more confident of who they are and are more hopeful on the things they want to achieve for the group. “So, kahit may mga ganito kaming nararamdaman, mas pinipinili namin sarili namin,” she adds.
Celebrating half a decade of writing music, Melchor sees their craft growing with them—from chaotic concepts to being “sort of sure.” But she hopes that on the next songs they will release, everything will be certain and fine.
She admits, “Since five years na kami [as a band], I think the songs are growing up with us. From magulo to medyo sure, sa next sana, sure na. Sana, okay na.”
Artistic Side
Creating art is a hobby for both Melchor and Dela Cruz. Melchor says that if they release melodies, they might as well do a visual for people.
“I believe na if you’re gonna release music, might as well i-todo mo na. Bigyan mo rin ng visual yung mga tao,” she says in jest.
Melchor further explains that the band’s goal is to showcase artwork while people listen to their music. “That’s our band’s goal—that if they hear our music, may makita naman silang artwork. I’m lucky na pinapayagan naman ako ng bandmates ko na ipakita yung artistic side ko na ‘yun for the band,” she explains.
Before They Take Off
Melchor is happy to say that the band has matured through time. She even quips, “From dalawang chords lang, naging lima na!”
Describing this maturity, Melchor says that their recordings are more layered and sound effects are supplemented this time.
In terms of lyrics, she emphasizes, “Hindi pa rin siya deep for anything. Simple pa rin, mas pinu-proofread ko.”
Jeremy Sayas mentions that, along with band’s growth, they have also evolved individually. He further mentions that even the string and keys section of The Vowels They Orbit has effects needed for their music to expand horizons in musicality.
Of this, Sayas has eventually enrolled in a music school to hone his skills as a drummer.
“[Actually, yung new album], parang mas baliktad. Mas naging experimental ng kaunti yung sophomore album. Pero kasi, yung songwriting, may effect ‘yun,” the bassist adds.
Speaking of songwriting, Sayas mentions that a demo is sent by Melchor, then they’d listen to it. He then expounds, “Yung pagbigay niya ng demo sa amin, mas ramdam namin yung emotions. Magli-lean talaga sa isang taong kapag nasapul ka… [yun na yun]. And then, maggu-grow ng maggu-grow kasi yung inspirations mo doon hanggang sa ma-form yung isang kanta,”
Confidence is what their bassist Patch Javier feels with the fresh release. He says that he became more positive in terms of being creative, up to a point where he can play around with the notes progressing in his fretboard. He also continues to understand more of his craft.
“Hopefully, pasok nga siya sa songs na ginagawa. Thankfully, ito na nga siya,” the bassist says with optimism.
The Vowels They Orbit is managed by Soupstar Productions. Their newest release “tuloy tuloy tuloy” is under Sony Music Philippines.
Banner Image Aram Lascano
Banner Art Paulo Correa
