The Tide vows to give PH fans ‘the loudest’ experience ever

From left: Drew Dirksen, Levi Jones, Nate Parker and Austin Corini

In two years, the American band The Tide has already played gigs in different countries, and has amassed a considerable following for their peppy and radio-friendly, pop-rock sound.

But the question a lot of fans are asking is: When will the group’s first album come out?

The group—Austin Corini (lead vocals, guitar), Levi Jones (bass, vocals), Drew Dirksen (vocals, guitar) and Nate Parker (drums)—acknowledged that it is indeed taking a while. But not without a good reason.

“I know they have been waiting for it for quite some time now, and that they are anxious to hear it. But we are trying to choose the best songs out of what seems like hundreds that we have written in the past. And that is hard,” Levi said in a group interview.

So far, The Tide, which is signed under Steady—the label of The Vamps—has released mostly singles and EPs, the latest being “Put the Cuffs on Me,” which hit local stores in time for the boys’ recent string of shows at Ayala Malls. Today, the group will perform at Market! Market! at 4 p.m. and at Alabang Town Center, 7 p.m.

But the group is hoping that the much-awaited album will finally be released later this year.

“We are going for an alternative pop feel. There will be stuff that they already like. We will also incorporate some new sounds … then, we will bring them all together,” Drew said.

One of the things that these artists—in their late teens and early 20s—are proud of is the fact that they craft their own material, and are deeply involved in the creative process. And while they may be young, they travel extensively. They also believe that they have ample life experiences to draw from.

Then, there are the many devoted fans who serve as The Tide’s major driving force.

“We thought we understood music. But when we got to meet our fans, they gave us a different perspective,” Austin pointed out. “They draw portraits of us that look life-like, they tattoo our lyrics on their bodies.”

“The fans push and inspire us to write songs that they can relate with,” he added.

For the band, there is nothing quite like the feeling of having a stranger say that your music has had a profound impact in his or her life.

“Sometimes, someone you have never met before would come up to you, crying and saying that you have moved him,” Levi said. “It is a weird feeling, but also very humbling. It is an honor.”

The four musicians said they love performing live as much as they love composing songs. The first time they went onstage was admittedly nerve-wracking. That is not the case anymore.
“Back then, we were pee-in-your-pants nervous … Now, we just get into the zone—we play for the fans and for ourselves,” Nate said.

They vowed to give their legions of Filipino fans—“some of the loudest” they have encountered—an experience they will remember.

“We always improvise and interact with the crowd. We strive to make each show unique,” Drew said.

Like many new music acts these days, The Tide used to upload covers to YouTube.