This Band
While it was pop-rock “hugot” songs that brought This Band massive streaming success, the group has no qualms veering away from its tried-and-tested formula once in a while.
In fact, the group’s latest single is an antithesis of its past hits, which mostly centers around heartbreak. Titled “Higit sa Sapat” (Viva Records), the composition is a wedding-themed ballad that conjures up images of a bride on the aisle, walking toward her “the one.”
The song is a collaboration among the band’s lead singer, Andrea Manzano, bassist Miccael Galvan, drummer John Macaranas, lead guitarist Reymart Gubat, songwriter-guitarist Euwie von Loria and keyboardist Melvin Carson. And this unexpected shift in their music’s mood may be attributed to the fact that everything’s A-OK as far as the member’s love lives are concerned.
Answer to prayers
“I was once hurt. But I prayed to God for the right person to come. And when he finally did, I realized that everything I prayed for, this person fulfills. So, that’s what made me think na higit na ang sapat ko. He was the answer to my prayers. He makes me feel good; he doesn’t hurt me. He helps me in any way he can,” Andrea said in a recent Zoom conference.
“For me, it’s about finding someone who will be there for you at your lowest point. More often than not, people leave you with nothing and when the going gets tough… People lose trust in you. But then you find a person who will accept and stay with you until you pick yourself up,” Melvin said.
For Miccael, it’s about finding “the missing piece to the puzzle.” “At times, we get this feeling that there’s something missing in life. You wake up, go to work and go home. But there’s something lacking that you can’t seem to find within yourself,” he said.
“It’s like you have to search for the missing piece: The person with whom you see a future with; the person who pushes you to be a better version of yourself,” he added. “That person won’t try to change who you are, but will unlock your full potential as a person.”
This band’s biggest songs, “Kahit Ayaw Mo Na,” “Hindi Na Nga” and “‘Di Na Babalik,” have collectively amassed more than a quarter of a billion streams, thanks to their themes of loss, yearning and resignation that listeners find relatable. But fortunately they said, “Higit Sa Sapat,” was stilll met with just as much enthusiasm by their fans.
Surprised people
“People were surprised by our new song. But it also feels good that they have accepted it. It’s so fulfilling,” Melvin said.
“I wasn’t really worried about the change in theme, because, from the very start, we have always created songs that reflected and expressed our feelings at a given time. So I guess we’re just feeling inspired these days,” Andrea said.
While Euwie does most of the songwriting for the group, “Higit Sa Sapat” had everyone contributing to the creative process. “I haven’t written much these days. Now we explored writing together. We started out with a concept. And then the words came. Before we knew it, we already had a song,” Euwie said.
“It feels nice because there’s less pressure on me now. They have always respected me as a songwriter. Now I fully support their ideas. I knew that some of them have been trying to write songs and I have been urging them to finally complete them. I’m happy and proud of them,” he said.
This Band is also excited that the live music scene has finally opened up. “The pandemic was a struggle for most of us, emotionally and mentally. But I think those molded us into better persons and musicians. Our bond is stronger than ever,” Melvin said.