SB19 regards passion as biggest driving force ahead of ‘Simula at Wakas’

SB19 in a concept photo for “Simula at Wakas.” Image: Courtesy of 1Z Entertainment and Sony Music Philippines

SB19 is aware of the comments where they sometimes come off as too angry. Their latest single “DAM” — part of their third EP “Simula at Wakas” — is a powerful entrance into their new era, with the members having moments of portraying anger in their respective lines. Yet they would rather define it as having “overflowing passion.”

“People would hear it as galit. It’s not galit but overflowing passion,” Pablo said when asked how music helps them in handling anger. “Alam namin na mahirap ang tinatahak namin and there are some na mapapagod or malalaylay, ‘yun ang battlecry namin. Hindi siya galit. Encouragement siya. Pinaglalaban namin na kaya namin siyang makamit.”

(People would think it’s anger. It’s not anger but overflowing passion. We know that our journey is hard, and some will be tired or weary, that is our battlecry. It’s not anger. It’s encouragement. We are fighting for something we know we can achieve.)

Pablo, Josh, and Stell were seated on a couch while Ken and Justin were perched on high stools. Their interview with INQUIRER.net and other media outlets took place on the day of “DAM’s” release, kicking off their return to the music scene. It was clear their schedules were getting packed, but each member held a quiet confidence within themselves.

After focusing on their solo activities in the past year — which they noted as a time of “soul searching” — they said it helped them find themselves as individuals, making them stronger to return as a full unit. “Malaking tulong [siya] kasi mas na-hone ang skills namin,” Ken said, explaining how focusing on their solo activities was crucial in the quintet’s journey.

“Alam namin na naging better kami as artists and ‘yung creativity namin, nag-sharpen pa. Nag-iba rin ‘yung [perspectives] namin in life and sa pag-gawa ng music, so pagbalik namin at nagawa ang ‘Simula at Wakas,’ naging iba,” he continued, seemingly holding himself back from giving a spoiler of their third EP.

(It’s a huge help because it honed our skills. We knew it made us better as artists, and sharpened our creativity  as well. Our perspectives in life and our ways of making music changed. This is why when we returned together for “Simula at Wakas,” it became different.)

SB19 in a concept photo for “DAM.” Image: Courtesy of 1Z Entertainment and Sony Music Philippines

Meanwhile, Stell said their solo activities allow them to figure out their respective strengths. “Siguro for me, na-realize ko na performer talaga ako. I tried writing songs pero nakikita ko na mas performer talaga ako (I guess for me, I realized that I was more of a performer. I tried writing songs but I saw myself as more of a performer),” he said, noting it helped them gain fans and establish connections beyond the group.

‘DAM,’ ‘Simula at Wakas,’ and pressure

SB19 projected intensity and “gigil” in DAM throughout its three-minute run. “‘Yung experiences siguro ng SB19, doon hinugot. ‘Yung gigil na maipaglaban, makarating dito, and sa pressure na meron kami all throughout, [as well as] paano namin ginapang na makuha ang iba’t ibang bagay,” Josh said, explaining how they channel “gigil” into their creative process.

“We’re competing with our normal activities including brainstorming within the company, and naging challenging siya for us. ‘DAM’ itself, is very challenging, the concept, and ‘yung mag-isip ka ng genre na babagay sa tema na pinaglalaban namin. Overall, d’un nanggaling ‘yung gigil,” he continued.

(We’re competing with our normal activities including brainstorming within the company and it was challenging for us. “DAM” itself is very challenging, the concept, and to think of a genre that fits the theme we’re fighting for. Overall, that’s where the gigil comes from.)

As they countdown to “Simula at Wakas’s” release, Josh said the EP is meant to be a bold declaration of what the group truly is. “Before, we used to introduce SB19. For this one, this is SB19. We don’t have to explain ourselves,” he pointed out. “We’re at a point in our lives where [we] exceeded ourselves. Personally, there is a plateau. How will you surpass that? This is why we’re doing this not only for us but also for the entire community who will benefit from it.”

The upcoming record, according to Justin, sums up the trilogy of their two EPs “Pagsibol” and “Pagtatag!” Deciding to release an EP instead of a full-length album is for the sake of being consistent with their storyline. “We’ve been collaborating with different producers and songwriters. For this EP, you will hear a lot of new sounds because we’re collaborating with different people.”

The quintet is also aware that “DAM,” as well as their upcoming record, is a follow-up to “Gento,” arguably one of their biggest hits. “In all honesty, we never expected something big. We never expected ‘Gento’ to be a global hit,” Stell said. “With ‘DAM,’ it’s sort of the same. Enough said. Let’s see [how it will turn out] because we have an EP that is a total banger.”

Josh picked up from his point, saying: “And how do you measure success? It’s not the views. It is not the basis all the time. Different people have different ways to measure success. For us, it is what we can do for everyone.”

Moving forward

Since their debut in October 2018, SB19 established themselves as one of the leading forces in P-pop. They were able to achieve the impossible as they are known as the crucial figures in forming P-pop into what it is today. Their journey is proof of why going beyond the standard is possible, and it is because of passion. Despite this, the members paused when asked how they want to be remembered.

Going first, Stell said: “I want to be remembered in a way that we, SB19, na humuhubog ng future leaders. May limang taong nag-try i-change ‘yung nakasanayan. Hindi sila nagpatinag sa system so it just comes to show na nandun na tayo [sa current state natin] dahil hindi [kami nag-focus] sa [limit natin]. Ipush pa natin ang limit ng bawat isa.”

(I want to be remembered in a way that we, SB19, honed the future leaders. Five people tried to change the standards. They didn’t allow the system to wear them down. It just comes to show that we’re in our current state not because of focusing on our own limits. We pushed ourselves beyond our limits.)

SB19 open up about the creative process behind “Simula at Wakas” and how their solo activities helped them in their comeback. Image: Arnel Tacson/INQUIRER.net

Josh, who had long been vocal about wanting P-pop to reach greater heights, said he wants to be remembered as someone who made a change. “I want to change something. I want us to be remembered as someone who tried to change something and became successful. We became successful with the things we want to change.”

“This question is so hard,” Ken confessed. After a brief pause, he had a hopeful smile, saying, “I just want to be remembered as a music artist.” Justin also had a brief moment of reflection before wearing the same kind of smile as the “Rocksta” singer.

“I just want to be remembered. Whatever it is,” he began. “For sure, it’s something especially d’un sa mga nainspire and natulungan (especially with the people we helped through) with our artistry and music. Hopefully, we can make a difference with the people.”

SB19 open up about the creative process behind “Simula at Wakas” and how their solo activities helped them in their comeback. Image: Arnel Tacson/INQUIRER.net

Touching on how music acts as a journal, Pablo reflected on how he wants the group’s music to be a source of inspiration to ignite change. “Siguro sa music talaga namin. Kasi ang music namin, tulad sabi ni Ken, parang journal,” he said.

“When you read someone’s journal, you would see how it can touch one’s life. Makikita mo ang isang view through our art and craft. [‘Yung tipong], hindi lang siya inisip mong gawin. You will move towards it regardless kung anong nangyayari sa paligid. Kasi doon magkakaroon ng change.”

(I guess through our music. Just like what Ken said, our music is like a journal. When you read someone’s journal, you would see how it can touch one’s life. You would see a certain viewpoint through our art and craft. You would not just think of doing something. You will move towards it no matter what happens around you. Because that is where change happens.)

“Simula At Wakas” is set to be released on April 25. The P-pop powerhouse will also kick off their world tour at the Philippine Arena on May 31 and will visit Taiwan, the US, Canada, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Japan, and Hong Kong.