NEO DOMINGO
“Aspiring music artists are better off gaining experience in a recording studio than undergoing workshops,” said Chris Cahilig, project head of the talent search Dreams Get Real, organized by McJim Classic Leather.
The competition’s Top 6 worked with award-winning musical arranger Jonathon Ong—one of rap artist Gloc-9’s frequent collaborators—in recording their singles, which were seeded to radio stations last month, and are being featured this month on MTV Pinoy.
“I wanted them to experience what it’s like to do a professional recording session,” Cahilig said. “That way they get to see and learn the entire process.”
The six musical acts vying for the title are alternative rock groups Archetype, Dream of Pearl and Fifth Dynamics; vocalist CK Arca, musical trio JBK and acoustic artist Neo Domingo.
Except for Archetype and Fifth Dynamics, which used their own compositions, the other finalists recorded songs made by such composers as Oli Agustin, Urie Tesorio and a finalist in last year’s PhilPop songwriting tilt, Raffy Calicdan.
Something distinct
“We commissioned songwriters to make songs that will suit the image and style of the contestants. We wanted to give each of them something distinct,” Cahilig pointed out. “Some of them wanted to use their own materials. However, we felt that their work were still raw and needed a little more polishing.”
ARCHETYPE
Added Cahilig, whose goal is “to discover new faces in the OPM scene”: “When it comes to vocal quality, they’re all very good. I’m optimistic about their potential. That’s why we opened the competition to different types of acts representing different genres.”
Influences
Influenced by Paramore, Up Dharma Down and Kamikazee, Manila-based group Archetype—
Tricia May Casauay (vocals), Alvin Traqueña (rhythm guitar), Ar John Patalay (lead guitar), Nikko Martin Francisco (bass), Zejemiah Gonzaga (drums)—interpreted “’Di Na Biro.”
Arca of Caloocan City, who looks up to Bruno Mars, Michael Jackson and Steve Perry, sang “Certified Good Vibes.” Also from Caloocan is Dream of Pearl—Alfonso Abrenzosa (vocals), Mark Jayson Dizon (guitar), Von Christian Vizmanos (bass) and Evan Briones (drums)—which was given the song “Panalo.”
CK Arca
Composed of Mark Cordovales (vocals), John Peterson Leyva (rhythm guitar), Eljon Nono (lead guitar), Daryl Jay Santos (bass) and Aldrin Condat (drums), Antipolo City’s Fifth Dynamics recorded “Anyare.” Bryan del Rosario, Joshua Bulot and Kim Ordonio of Mandaluyong City’s Boyz II Men-inspired trio JBK sang “Anong Meron Ka.” Domingo of Quezon City breathed life into “Pagbigyan Mo Na.”
Different judging
Unlike most singing competitions, whose winners are decided by judges, the results of Dreams Get Real will be determined based on how well the finalists’ recorded songs do on the radio in terms of airplay and audience requests.
“The one who has the most potential should win, and I think it’s best that the listeners decide,” Cahilig said. “I still believe that getting considerable airplay is better than getting hits on the Internet.”
DREAM of Pearl
The grand finals will be held on June 30. The champion will receive P50,000 in cash, a grant for the creation of the single’s music video, a talent management contract, as well as a recording contract with MCA Music. The second and third place winners. meanwhile, will get P25,000 and P15,000, respectively.
(apolicarpio@inquirer.com.ph)