Getting to know them more: Reli De Vera, Macky Brillantes, and Miguel Cortez Hernandez

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) Reli De Vera (Drummer) of Sinosikat?/Kalayo/Spy/National Threat

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

Reli De Vera – At first, one of my influences was my Dad who is also a musician; he plays bass and other instruments. I inherited that gift from him. I’m a lucky son!  In my younger  years, I recall my Dad had this Pioneer turntable and vinyl collections. He  introduced me to James Brown, Grand Funk Railroad, Santana, The Beatles. He is such a music fan.  He told me stories of his life when he was in Japan, the life of being a musician. That was the time I began to visualize myself being a musician, too.  Then, in  my Grade School years, my brother and  I used to sneak and scratch because at the time we  were such big fans of DMC, especially Mobile Era. Remember the 90’s music? That kind of beat and song writing I will never forget. God damn, I’m such a frustrated DJ !  Soon, I’m gonna spin. Why not? Everyone is a DJ now, haha, WTF ?! Even if they don’t recognize turntabilsm or a juggler, they should research the true meaning of being a DJ.  I miss that time.

Reli De Vera

Ever since I have been  fascinated with beats! I also remember when  I was in High School,  I used to be that “table drummer”. That’s why teachers hated me because  each time  they heard someone banging the table, they knew it was me. They had no choice but to send me to the Prefect of Discipline. I  was such a noisy and annoying student, yes I was ! Then I met my High School drum teacher. He taught me the basics and how to play some Led Zepp tunes and Sabbath and  that was the time when I get hooked on rock. I’m such a Bonham fan. That’s the reason why I wanted to be a drummer.  I remember, when I was a kid, I would watch my teacher. He had a band; they used to play in our street every fiesta. Man, they  were (expletive) serious with music. They played Zepp, Metallica, Rush, Deep Purple, they were (expletive) amazing! That’s the time I asked my teacher if he could teach me how to play drums. And it was like Love at First Sight on the drums for me. It was a lotta fun!

Then it came to the point that I had to learn drums on my own, to do my own thing, and to research. A friend in college used to lend me his VHS drum instructional, It was such a big help to me coz at the time drumming was my secondary thing.  I was studying Fine Arts then and my main focus was painting. My friend even gave names of the nasty drummers here in Manila. I hunted down those guys. I wanted to be inspired by them and to know their stories. I am so glad I met them, finally!

I learned a lot of important things being a drummer from my drum mentors. They help me a lot when it comes to music, not only by teaching methods, but by their sharing with me their own  experiences in life and musicality. They are purists when it comes to drumming; they respect this instrument. I’m glad they recognize and accept my language on drumming. My big thanks to them! One thing more, I forgot to say that hard work is also the key. Practice and play live are also very important. Kids should know what they want.
How and when did you realize you had a calling to be a full-fledged musician?

Reli De Vera  – It started when my classmate in a marching band asked me if I wanted to be in his project band. I was in my college years; we played acid jazz, rnb, pop and jazz. Then someone discovered my unique style and, luckily for me, he introduced me to the underground scene. I will never forget that moment.  I played with my favorite band P.O.T—they were so funky and unique. It was a dream come true! Then, with  the help of friends, that’s the time when  I saw SPY on the television N.U. Rock Awards.  I remember thinking and saying: “This is my favorite band already. I think I’m gonna give justice to the songs if  I will be given the chance to play with them.” And, guess what? It happened, hahaha ! This is  another one  of my Dream-Come-True stories. Now, I’m with SPY already. I’m such a lucky bastard! That’s why I thank Almighty God for all these wonderful gifts and the  musicians who helped me reach this experience. I’m so honored. I would like to thank the artists and the bands  I sessioned with; they help me a lot, especially working on my groove, playing on time, and having discipline. This is it. No turning back for me.  I now know that music is already an integral part of my life. I’m gonna die fighting for it.

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

Reli De Vera  – Really? You think? Well, thanks! haha. For me, I think the important element to survival in  being a musician is  to Evolve. Don’t stop with just one genre. Taste in music is one of my primary weapons. Skill is important but you have to have taste. You cannot learn it, it’s a lifestyle. Also, never stop inventing and creating new patterns and sounds. For me, music is also same thing with Art. You cannot stop only with one style. It doesn’t stop. Every moment, time, year. You must evaluate or know yourself being a musician and  not only as a drummer. Getting out of the box and out  of your comfort zone. Use your ear and listen to  what is happening inside the band. Last thing, as a drummer/musician, it is important for me to have identity. Most drummers here have so much technique, but they forgot the missing ingredient which is to  enjoy, have fun, improvise and play with your heart. Each one of us has a unique voice. Don’t just go imitate someone  who is famous or who is good only with technique. Don’t just study licks on YouTube. Create your own and say what you wanna say.
Find your mentor/teacher. Try to listen to different instruments like bass, vocals, harmony, pattern coz you’re gonna create something out of listening. Do you get what  I mean? Haha! Sorry, I just speak through my heart, hehe. My bottle of Jack D is kicking already, haha.

This is my opinion based on my experiences. There is no right or wrong. I hope this will help my fellow drummers and musicians. Just go out. Create, have fun, be humble, and share your gift to others. (Forget) the ego.  It will kill your talent. Honestly, you don’t wanna join in the band just to score chicks or get famous. (Forget) that. Just go show business, music can’t lie. Create, or die. Yo!
2) Macky Brillantes (Drummer) of MOTHERBASSS

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

Macky Brillantes

Macky Brillantes – Everything started when Channel 5 was test broadcasting and they ran this Beatles documentary over and over. My older brother TJ and I watched it everyday. A few weeks later, we decided to pick up and learn instruments. He became my first bandmate, too. He played guitar, I played bass. Growing up in Santa Ana, Manila, we had people in the neighborhood who taught us how to play and learn the classics. At the time though my fingers were kind of short for those bass guitar frets so I switched to playing drums. Few years after, my brother learned the drums too and made a career out of it (Greyhoundz). So yeah, I’m just coming to realize it now that he might be my biggest influence.

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

Macky Brillantes – I had a band which started playing Club Dredd when I was 16. At that age I was surrounded by people who shared the same dream. I’m still surrounded by those people now, and those dreams have become a reality. There’s always been struggles from time to time. Throughout the years I’ve had jobs that weren’t music related, but I knew from the beginning that this was it. By hook or by crook, this is what I’m gonna be.

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

Macky Brillantes – The oh-so-dreaded-word: Practice. It’s different when you’re jamming with someone or practicing with your bandmates. Practicing alone and doing drills for muscle memory is always a huge plus. I learned that when I went to Michael Alba’s drum school. He was a great mentor and inspiration and I promise to myself that when there’s opportunity, I’ll go back and take up another program with him. Also, listening to different types of music makes me more curious and ambitious. At this point I’m surrounded by DJs and producers and I’ve been learning a lot from them. But I never forget my roots. I still go out to watch live bands. Sometimes do random jams with random people. Whenever there’s opportunity to play, practice or experiment, I’d do it.

3) Miguel Cortez Hernandez (Drummer) of Wilderness

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

Miguel Cortez Hernandez – Home has always been the roots of my musical inclination. My father, the squarest man you’ll ever meet, introduced me to artists like the Beatles, Gypsy Kings, Cat Stevens, and Buddy Rich at a very young age. My mum would always be dancing to jams at home.. I got my sense of flow a rhythm from my momma–hi ma ! My curiosity, fascination, and inspiration branched out to the musicians  I surrounded myself with in the scene. I picked up so much from wonderful local artists like Pat Sarabia, Jay Gapasin, Diego Mapa, Nikki Cabardo, Sir Francis de Veyra and my bandmates–my soulmates. I garnered lots of inspiration absorbing ideas through artists with different mediums as well –Agnes Arrellano, Dex Fernandez (designed the notorious Wilderness t-shirt) and, Jeona Zoleta (artists behind the first Wilderness album)…among MAAAAANY OTHER LOVELY ARTISTS. These artists shattered the world as  I knew it–giving me more space to create.

Miguel Cortez Hernandez

Back in grade school,  I wanted to be a bassist/guitarist.. but all the other kids started learning the guitar as well. I was pressured to learn how to play the drums cos no one else was willing at that time (and because I sucked at guitar haha). I thought, “Hey, why the hell not?” And started practicing with chairs and pillows as a drum kit. The rest unfolded by itself with that same burning need to PLAY.

I’ve always wanted to live “THAT” life ever since  I was a youngling just like that Cypress Hill song “Rap Superstar,” haha. I have always aspired to be a working musician. I’ve always romanticized the idea of moving people, ideas, and ultimately myself through musical expression. I associate myself with the persona in the song “Guitar Man” by Bread:

“He can make you love, he can make you cry
He will bring you down and he’ll get you high
Somethin’ keeps him goin’ miles and miles a day
To find another place to play”.

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

Miguel Cortez Hernandez – I started playing gigs around the metro at 17. After my first gig, I heard a great inner voice speak to me. The words were vague but the meaning was clear–I had to keep playing to truly find myself and to truly connect to others. The more in tune I was through my music, the clearer the inner voice spoke. It’s both a blessing and a curse. It’s something I’ll bring with me till I’m 6 feet under and beyond. Since Wilderness started, I was all in. I lay all my chips on the table. It was all or nothing. It’s do or die. I refuse to be in the middle.

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

Miguel Cortez Hernandez – I constantly absorb knowledge like a sponge. Whether it is about music, trading stocks, managing a private fund, and financial advising. I’m deeply fascinated by the power of compounding—in terms, of numbers and ideas. These realizations naturally manifest themselves in my musical growth. As a drummer, it’s an imperative to stay physically fit. I swim to keep my body in check. I always bring my practice back to the fundamentals (despite my erratic playing style). Going back to basics is key no matter how good you think you are. Fundamentals brings me back down to earth. It’s a reminder that growth and learning never ends. As for Wilderness, I’ve been hands-on with the managerial, financial aspects. I’ve sharpened these skills through the things  I do while the sun is up–manage a private investment fund and stock trading. I hold the conviction that artists must understand the language of business as well so that they could claim their worth–so they wouldn’t be raped by people in suits with bad intentions. Music and business don’t contradict if your intentions are pure and when music precedes the idea of business.

I quit looking at my glass if it was half full or half empty. I threw that glass away. I’m looking for the source. A divine river, lagoon, waterfall, or a divine ocean? I want to build an aqueduct to link the source to me and to the people around me. What’s the point of having a glass for yourself? I want it to flow for the world.