“When I was reading the ad,” the sixteen-year-old from Cabanatuan shares. “I thought that it was impossible for me to win, but I joined the promo because I also wanted a 5310 Xpress Music Phone.”

He uses the word “also” because Steven had just recently purchased a Nokia 5610 Xpress Music Phone, and it was while he was surfing for software updates for this phone that he stumbled onto the Nokia Philippines site and read about the IAC promo.

Being a big music fan – he spends most of his free time jamming with a band he formed with his classmates – it made sense for Steven to join. Downloading five tracks from Nokia’s IAC site was easy because he was already a fan, checking the site regularly for updates on his favorite Pinoy bands.

When Nokia called to inform Steven that he had won, he was both shocked and excited. “I was so excited that I wanted to go to Manila right away,” Steven remembers.

As soon as they could, he and his father set off to claim Steven’s prize in Makati – traveling all the way from Cabanatuan, which is roughly two and a half hours away.

Asked if the trip was worth it, Steven answers, “It was more than worth it. I am very happy with my new phone and speakers. The best thing I like about them is the crisp sound. I can hear the bass and it is so cool.”

For Nokia and IAC, what’s cool is knowing that another person’s love for music was fed and satisfied.

Bands like Abuse The Youth (TH), Anna Judge April (SG), Caracal (SG), Cardinal Avenue (SG), Deserters (MY), Diseased Music (SG), Faspitch (PH), Leeson (SG), PeepShow (SG), Silhouette (SG), The Analog Girl (SG) and Typecast (PH) did their countries proud by flying the flag for their local music industry – treating young and old present alike to their brand of infectious tunes and memorable melodies.

If you missed this year’s impressive showcase of talent at Baybeats 2008 as organised by the Esplanade, Singapore; be sure to check out photos and videos of highlights on Share on Ovi – coming to you real soon!

Ask anyone from Manila about the music scene in Leyte and chances are, all you’d get is a puzzled expression. Ask Playphonics and a different sound will make its way to your ears—chill rock is what Playphonics calls it, an OPM rock band that saw its beginnings in Tacloban. With Rica Camacho on vocals and rhythm guitar, Hector Cruz on lead guitar, Reuvelle Clemcio on bass guitar and Sedfrey Clemencio pounding on the skins, Playphonics feeds a longing for calming, ambient sounds. Relaxing rock, if you will. For Rica, Hector, Reuvelle and Sedfrey, it’s exactly that kind of music that distinguishes them from other bands. It’s that unique sound that’s boosting their climb up Manila’s music ladder.

From being high school students performing in Tacloban’s gyms, Playphonics has made the big leap to the city. But it wasn’t always a walk in the park. Coming to Manila meant leaving the familiar surroundings of high school gyms or the intimacy of small recording studios. It was playing in front of live audiences, far away from home. It was leaving their homes, families and former lives behind. It was also solving the band’s severe birthing pains: scheduling conflicts, low morale, lack of financing, and a highly unstable lineup.

Still, Playphonics persevered in answering Manila’s call. With the help of their manager, local bar owners and music gurus like Louie Talan, the band achieved what they could not do in Tacloban. They found airtime for their music, got gigs more easily and they found audiences who appreciated their songs. They also found chances to get their music out where the public could hear it. One such opportunity is being part of the Nokia IAC’s Free Artist Recording Program. In a world where not all people take to their music, chances like that are key. Fortunately for Playphonics, they didn’t stop pushing themselves. For inspiration, they’d look up to the likes of Imago, Sandwich Sugarfree, Razorback and Cynthia Alexander. Like these guys who have made it, Playphonics wants to continue making great music and remain being down to earth despite their growing popularity. 

It wasn’t only luck, connections or inspiration that jumpstarted Playphonics’ dive into Manila. For the band members’ part, belief kept them from dropping their mics and guitars. Belief in music, in their songs and in themselves. Says one member, “our songs may not be the best, but I love our music because it’s ours.” That type of conviction brings the members the belief that the band would eventually produce an album. For Rica, it was believing that one day, their album would become the soundtrack to some people’s lives.  That dream isn’t probably as far as the band may think. Early this year, Playphonics finally found itself complete. Some band members in Tacloban expressed newfound dedication and decided to relocate to Manila. Now, they work the bars and clubs regularly just like Manila-born musicians would. Their advice on starting a band? “Play your music and believe in it.”

A couple of days later, Jeric finds himself surfing the Internet. He peruses his mail, Friendster, Facebook and a couple of anime sites. Then he moves to the music scene, checking out new artists, when he comes across the IAC’s website (www.nokia.com.ph/iac). It grabs his interest. He lingers, glad to know that someone actually cares about new talent. Random thoughts fill Jeric’s mind. He thinks about music, his dreams, his lunch. He keeps surfing. Then Jeric decides to become a member of the Nokia IAC. He also joins the Good Vibrations promo. What if, right?

Weeks later, the contest slips from Jeric’s mind. He is checking his inbox again when he receives an email informing him that he has won a trip to the Good Vibrations Festival—the largest, most popular musical festival in Australia. Jeric freaks out. A free trip to Australia. A free trip to Australia. Like a broken record, Jeric replays the phrase in his mind. He thinks it is a fraud. Then his mind rewinds to the day he logged on to the Nokia IAC. He checks his mail again and realizes that the document is valid. It is officially from Nokia and indeed, he has won.

Jeric breaks the news to his brother. He would rather bring his girlfriend to Australia, but she is non-existent as of the moment. So he picks one of his family members to share in the victory. The day before the Jarin brothers’ departure, their visa applications are rejected. The Australian embassy advises Jeric to reapply. Jeric complies, but with fear that his trip won’t push through anymore.

The next day, at around ten in the morning, Jeric’s AU visa is approved. He is scheduled to leave at 2pm and hasn’t packed a single thing. Fate however, continues to smile at Jeric and moves his flight to 4pm. Incidentally, it is the same day as Jeric’s birthday.

Along with his brother, Jeric leaves Manila for one of the best experiences of his life. And maybe some of the most challenging ones too. When Jeric arrives at the Sydney airport, he is held up by customs for about an hour for a random security check. Be that as it may, Jeric has a grand time in Sydney. It is impossible to erase the city from his memory, especially after watching the Good Vibrations Festival there.

For the first time, Jeric sees live performances from Kanye and Cypress Hill. To say that he is having a good time is an understatement. (His excitement comes in the form of expletives that we cannot state herein.) He gives all the performers a heads up and a heads down, his personal seal of approval. Jeric’s favorite part of the experience however, is not limited to the stage. What excites him most is that next to him, thousands of party people from around the globe are all screaming, dancing and singing like there’s no tomorrow.

Jeric’s lasting images of Sydney? Partying with people from around the globe; the number of people he was parting with; and well, Kanye West.

For an awesome birthday present, Jeric toasts the Nokia IAC: “Kampai! Continue to rock on the world of music!”

Jeff Tuason, Mikel Garcia, Randy Echaus and Iking Uy weren’t popular in college. That was about three years ago, way before they started appearing in Manila’s music scene. Now they have an established routine. Before each gig, the boys pump up with some energy drinks. Then Jeff, the band’s vocalist, takes his place behind the mic. Mikel and Randy tune their guitars. Iking sits behind the drums, praying that he doesn’t mess up. Then they launch into a brand of sixties and seventies rock meshed with nineties grunge. Think U2, Audioslave and Sound Garden all rolled into one danceable sound. With much ease, Astrojuan produces notes and riffs that make it seem like starting a band might just be a piece of cake.

But we all know that’s not true. And these guys will very much attest to their share of rocky beginnings. Band dropouts, overflowing schedules, penniless pockets…they ran the gamut of birthing pains. So what did these guys do right? What is it that makes people talk about them? How did they manage to prove that they could very well be the next big thing to hit the OPM scene?

For starters, they’re staying true to their band name. For the rock quartet, ‘Juan’ represents the everyday Filipino; ‘Astro’ stands for the aspiration to create stellar sounds. Together, the name sums up the ambition to create great Filipino music. “Astrojuan is about sticking to our roots,” says Jeff, and it’s exploring new ways of making people love, dance and feel the message of the music we make.” Astrojuan was a name coined to represent each member’s individual influences while building a unique personality for the band. The band’s originality however, goes further than their name. When asked what sets them apart from other bands, the answer was a combination of playful guitar riffs, off-beat drum patterns, cool and steady bass, plus a voice that the lead vocalist hopes to be remembered for.

And remembered they will be, as long as they keep their drop-all-other-gimmicks kind of dedication to the band. To pursue dreams of recognition, Astrojuan sacrifices weeknights and weekends for the band’s success. Any free time goes to band practice, gigs or solo practice. Money earned from day jobs goes to the band’s recording fees. It’s a hard knock life indeed but it doesn’t come without its rewards. Or its lucky breaks. Just recently, Nokia Music Guru Twinky Lagdameo chanced upon Astrojuan’s demo tape. Gig number one came. Then two, then three. Soon after, gigs started coming along more easily. Networking became a little easier. And plans for a 7-song EP started to materialize. The band’s reaction to it all?  As drummer Iking put it, “go lang ng go!”

Astrojuan takes the pressures of success in stride. At times, they still can’t believe it when they go gigging alongside their music idols. Or when they receive compliments from fellow musicians. When Astrojuan started out in college, they were listening to the likes of Urbandub and secretly hoping to play like them one day. It’s no wonder then that they still feel giddy when they happen to be in the same lineup as Urbandub. To Jeff, Urbandub has achieved the extraordinary quality of combining heavy, smooth and catchy tones in one song. “Their music is something that people can rock with or relax to.” If Astrojuan can achieve a similar response from their chosen audience, then no doubt, their name will prove to be more than just a name.

You are sweating profusely in a garage that smells of old socks. You can’t get the notes right. Your bassist is threatening to quit for the third time today. The only person listening is your cranky neighbor that keeps telling you to turn the volume down. A million things swim in your mind: how the band will get a new gig, where to find a new bassist, how your girlfriend is ignoring you because all you ever do is go to band practice…the list goes on.

The Possibility

Welcome to the world of the indie artist, the place where everybody can sing but only few are heard. Thank god for the Internet. A huge cyber sounding board, it is infinitely capable of circulating new songs, spreading word about upcoming artists and expanding a sluggish fan base. And any musician has free rein of it. There are music websites, blogs, phlogs, videos and other countless tools for self-promotion. But much as the possibilities are endless, the question still stands: is the Internet enough to bring success to a start-up band?

The Solution

Enter Pat Jalbuena, Louie Talan and Twinky Lagdameo, the top go-to guys in the Philippine music industry today. They’ll give the one thing that every talented but struggling musician needs: a chance. Pat, Louie and Twinky know good music and will do everything in their power to get a good song out into the world. That means listening to demo tapes, looking for new talent, managing bands, staging concerts and organizing music festivals. Basically providing avenues for musicians to strut their stuff. It’s no wonder then that Nokia handpicked these three to be the IAC’s representatives. Their life’s work goes hand in hand with the very purpose that the IAC was created for. The talented trio will also be lending their ears to the Nokia IAC Free Recording Sessions, a contest where forty indie artists will be given the chance to record and master tracks, free of charge. These artists will work with the country’s top sound engineers, like Kelvin Uy from Kerplunk!. (For details on entering, check out the mechanics below.)

The Masters

All music gurus in their own right, Pat, Louie and Twinky are largely responsible for the rise of many local artists. Pat runs Kerplunk! Studios, a music studio doubling as the birthplace of many music productions. Such include recording albums, releasing new records, and organizing local performances. Louie is one of the country’s most popular bass guitarists, as well as a music producer. One of the masterminds of WombWorks, he and his colleagues are responsible for the success of many indie acts. Then there is Twinky Lagdameo, industry expert in music marketing, concert production and artist development. Her prolific career in music, entertainment and media has brought many a budding musician into the limelight. Together with the IAC, these three will continue to find ways for indie artists to be heard.

The Music

In the indie business, recognition and its accompanying fans don’t just drop out of the sky. So when that sweet window of opportunity comes, dive right in. Get that demo tape out and promote yourself. The IAC is around. Instead of squabbling with your bassist, use the energy to sit in front of the computer and upload your band’s latest creations. Because at the end of the day, it’s all about getting your music out there.

IAC FREE RECORDING SESSIONS
PROMO MECHANICS

1. Send your demo, profile and music influences to the Nokia Independent Artist Club, 40/F PhilamLife Tower, Paseo de Roxas, Makati.
2. Entries will be screened by sound masters Twinky Lagdameo, Louie Talan of WombWorks and Pat Jalbuena of Kerplunk!.
3. Free recording sessions will be done in WombWorks and Kerplunk! Studios.
4. 40 bands / artists will be selected as winners.
5. Valid participants are unsigned artists who own their original works
6. All recorded tracks will be uploaded to www.nokia.com.ph/iac.