Getting to know them more: Tirso Ripoll, Zach Lucero, Drei Paliza

While many music aficionados have a superficial knowledge of our local musicians and grazing familiarity with their names, I thought it would be very interesting and quite gratifying to get to know them better on a deeper level. So I have asked a number of the  finest we have around today the same three questions. Their answers below will give us a clearer picture of what defines them now as musicians.

1) Tirso Ripoll (guitarist) of Razorback

Tirso Ripoll (guitarist) of Razorback

What were the influences at home and/or outside of family which helped form your interest in learning your instrument of choice?

Tirso Ripoll – My elder brother, Junus, got me listening to KISS, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, and all that good stuff….and so I became a great lover of music. He also taught me how to play the guitar. So, all of this is his fault….and I am forever grateful.

How and when did you realize you had a calling to be a full-pledged musician ?

Tirso Ripoll – The first day Miguel Ortigas, David Aguirre, my brother and I jammed. They were great, I was terrible, but it exploded in my heart. There was no turning back.

How do you continue to hone your skills and continually raise the bar of excellence for yourself?

Tirso Ripoll – Beer. Lots of it…. hahaha…but seriously, I play all the time. I always have a guitar on hand and strum out ideas, riffs, songs, whatever. I play and sing around the house a lot, it drives my family mad. I also listen to a lot of music….as much as I can get….Spotify is my new favorite thing….it has been awesome for discovering new music.

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2) Zach Lucero (guitarist) of Imago

What were the influences at home and/or outside of family which helped form your interest in learning your instrument of choice ?

Zach Lucero – My parents had my sister go through piano lessons…she wasn’t really into it…but I was. I was watching on the side. After her lessons i’d go to the piano and fiddle with it, my folks saw that and let me have lessons as well, that was my start. My fascination with music then turned to the guitar, then the drums, and now back to the guitar again.

How and when did you realize you had a calling to be a full-pledged musician ?

Zach Lucero – I have ADD. I realized this was something for me when I could hyper focus on it. With music I was untroubled, settled and driven. I naturally gravitated towards it and the artist. My first job was about music in ZU Shangrila, soon to be followed by another stint in another two lettered establishment called NU 107 where I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by music all the time. This was all during college. At the that time I know….co’z I was happy.

How do you continue to hone your skills and continually raise the bar of excellence for yourself ?

Zach Lucero –  I simply don’t stop….

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3) Drei Paliza (vocalist) of EVEN

Drei Paliza (vocalist) of EVEN

What were the influences at home and/or outside of family which helped form your interest in learning your instrument of choice ? Or, as the case may be, in your direction as a vocalist ?

Drei Paliza – Realized my gift of music at a very young age and my dad has always been supportive of it. When we were younger, he’d encourage us to take summer lessons of our choice kaya I had the freedom to explore and know myself musically. I took singing, piano. guitar and drum lessons. He also supported me when I wanted to take up Music Production after graduating college (Advertising). Not all parents are like that kaya I’m very, very grateful. What were the influences at home and/or outside of family which helped form your interest in learning your instrument of choice? Or, as the case may be, in your direction as a vocalist?

How and when did you realize you had a calling to be a full-pledged musician?

Drei Paliza – I wouldn’t say full pledged musician talaga pero I just do it for the love and everything else followed na lang.

How do you continue to hone your skills and continually raise the bar of excellence for yourself ?

Drei Paliza – Dig the uncomfortable, embrace fear, be open to changes and do everything with love. Practice, practice and practice!