SunDownMuse. Carina Altomonte
It is high time the spotlight be focused also on our indie bands and acts. They form a deep well of diverse and amazing talents in the local scene. I will be showcasing once in a while an indie band or act that to my mind deserves a look and more attention. So below, let’s get to know SunDownMuse:
What is the origin of your band?
BRIGGS BARITUGO : SunDownMuse is a 5-piece band formed in 2002 by me (Guitars and Vocals) and Ryan Villamayor (Drums).
What are the band’s musical influences?
BRIGGS BARITUGO: Our sound evolved early on with a fusion of my propensity to use jazz chords, Ryan’s natural love for R&B and funk grooves, bassist Lawrence Chuapoco’s Sade-meets-Iron-Maiden groove complemented by percussionist Aldous Castro’s soaring beats.
The music is fused with elements of jazz, funk, blues, rock, and folk music while keeping an open stance to output. Influences include Sting, Sade, Paul Simon, Chris Cornell, Tori Amos, Carol King, Steely Dan, the Doors, Ani diFranco, Carlos Santana and Everything but the Girl to name a few. Writing influences include Neil Gaiman and Jeanette Winterson.
We took a hiatus in 2008 when Ryan moved to Australia permanently. In July 2011, a comeback came to fruition as we prepared for the release of our 2012 debut album, Apathy is the cure. With the addition of new drummer, John Manalo, and Gigo Cosme on the axe, the music has evolved giving our sound a much harder rock edge.
Can you describe your style of music to the unfamiliar?
BRIGGS BARITUGO : Top Gear described us as having “created a distinct sound that is both easy to appreciate and listen to. Catchy guitar licks are matched with solid riffs, thumping bass lines melt into banging drum beats. On top of it all is a husky voice that verbalizes everything a human being goes through in this crazy ride called life. The writing hits home because it speaks the truth. With ‘Apathy is the Cure‘, SunDownMuse pleasantly reminds us that songs can be poetry.”
SunDownMuse. Carina Altomonte
The Philippine Star described our sound as “Everything But The Girl meets The Police meets something progressive, but with the Sundown twist of soaring arrangements, grooving bass lines, and lyrics that actually make you think.“ Based on how people have described our sound over the years, we’ve come to the conclusion that we probably sound like Sade, The Police and Everything but the Girl – with more balls. Or Sade and Everything but the girl tripping on the Blues.
What do you think of the current local scene?
BRIGGS BARITUGO : We’ve mixed feelings about the scene today and can’t help but compare what it was like in the mid 90’s through the 2000s. We miss how it was back in the day when people went out to clubs to check out local acts. Going to Club Dredd meant discovering really great acts like Loads of Motherhood, Goo or Loudwater. You see people genuinely seek out bands or stay in quiet corners to appreciate the music. We rarely see that these days quite frankly.
On the flipside, technology has allowed more bands to get their stuff out there and it truly feels like that’s where the action is. The virtual stage seems to be where all the “interaction” is happening and bands will need to learn that “language” at some point to spread the music to as many people as possible.
Any upcoming gigs you would like to promote?
BRIGGS BARITUGO : We’re fronting for the Teeth and Sandwich at Alphonse on August 22nd, 2014, playing 2 full sets at Handuraw, Anonas Ext, Q.C. on Aug 29th, 2014 and our upcoming, most important gig is the launch of our 2nd album, Like Knives, on Sept 13th, 2014 at Route 196, Katipunan Ave, Q.C. Our music is available in iTunes, Spotify, Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Reverbnation, Jango radio and select Odyssey and Fully Booked stores.
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Current line-up of SunDownMuse:
Briggs Baritugo– Vocals & Guitars
Gigo Cosme – Vocals & Guitars
John Manalo – Drums
Aldous Castro – Percussions
Lawrence Chuapoco – Bass