Freestyle on the right ‘Side’ of the musical lane

February is the busiest month for many Filipino artists. That’s because people in love troop in droves to hotel lounges, concert venues or performing halls to celebrate the month of love.

Freestyle, one of the country’s hottest performing bands, has decided to make the most of the month of love.

Freestyle is composed of vibrant and free-spirited Jinky Vidal, Top Suzara, Tat Suzara, Carlo Tapia, Nikki Cabardo and Gerald Banzon. These music makers, whose knack for music was first appreciated in Davao’s club scene, will share the stage with Side A in a power-packed concert at the Big Dome on Feb. 8 and 9.

The fusion of two different musical styles is calculated to draw music enthusiasts.

Freestyle is set to play their signature light, sentimental, feel-good songs.

"It is our first time to work with Side A members," begins Top Suzara, the group’s rhythm guitarist and vocalist. "It’s a great experience! There’s no dull moment with them. Everybody’s happy and enthusiastic. In fact, we are all makulit during pictorials. We really clown around. We easily established rapport."

"We get along with each other easily," adds keyboardist Nikki Cabardo. "We are comfortable working with Side A."

Although sharing the spotlight with Side A is a dream come true, Freestyle had mixed feelings when they first learned about the chance.

"At first, the group was excited," recalls Top. "Moments later, we were kabado (nervous) because we were not setting aside the possibility that the offer or the plan might not push through. Anything could happen somewhere along the way."

But with the way things are going, there’s no other way for Freestyle but to play everyone’s songs and prepare for the "Big Day."

"So far, we’ve had two production meetings," says vivacious Jinky, also the group’s vocalist. "We have discussed the songs to be included in the repertoire. We’ve started rehearsing. The rehearsals will run everyday for a week. Our group has our own spot to practice. So with Side A. All these are in preparation for our six production numbers with Side A."

As for the "musical surprises" Freestyle is bent on offering during the concert, Jinky says, "Every member was given the chance to share his idea or input for the concert. Both groups also had a say on what to do onstage. It’s 50/50 as far as creative input is concerned."

With four major concerts with larger-than-life artists and several hits to boot, Freestyle members still admit to having the jitters as the day of the concert draws near.

"Side A is Side A," says lead guitarist Tat Suzara. "The band has proven its worth as a musical group and its members as artists. Side A already has a name in the business."

"This concert is really different," continues Top. "This is our group’s first time to perform live with another musical band. For our past concerts, we performed with solo artists like Lani Misalucha, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Pops Fernandez, Ogie Alcasid, Gary Valenciano. In a way, this (coming concert) is something new to us."

Does this mean that Top will frequent the restroom often before the show?

"That’s how I handle my jitters as a performer," admits Top. "For some artists, it is part of their ritual before they go on stage and perform."

Are the Freestyle members intimidated by Side A, which has been around for 17 years?

"We take it (their presence) as an inspiration rather than intimidation," says Top. "This will serve as moral boosters to us to work well and to do better as a group."

Freestyle, also known for recording live performances featuring their string of hits such as Before I Let You Go, So Slow, Till I Found You and Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang, are also true-blue Side A fans.

"We want to follow Side A in terms of longevity," Top says. "In spite of new groups in the industry, Side A never fails to give everybody good music to listen to. Like Side A, our group’s ultimate goal is to make our music mature as the years pass by. We hope that our group will evolve lyrically and musically. We also wish to have a concert where our group will just play music that is truly ours."

Having Side A in one big show is a once-in-a-lifetime chance, but as soon as the lights and sounds are off, Freestyle cannot get away with comparisons either from detractors or well-meaning critics.

"Actually, there’s a point of comparison," jokes Gerarld Banzon. "Side A members are taller than us."

"We cannot stop everyone or anyone from comparing our group to Side A or vice versa," Carlo Tapia notes. "Each person is entitled to his opinion."

"But at the end of the day," ends Top, "what is important is we have been given the chance to work with Side A. We are truly happy about it. And not everyday can any group or anyone have such an opportunity."