Jett encourages young musicians to write originals

MANILA, Philippines - The Dawn frontman Jett Pangan is aware that the current music scene is not as welcoming in terms of hit-seeking bands unlike before when groups can deliver one hit song after another. Yet, believing in the talent of younger musicians, he is urging them to still write originals and reach out to audiences anyway possible.

This was his message while speaking to a pool of music journalists during the press conference for Y! Rocks, a concert recently held at three key cities and which allowed selected indie acts to share stage with some local rock icons.

“Gone are the days when you have all the backing of record labels. The challenge now is how to carry the audience to the new online format,” said the veteran voice behind the classics Salamat, Enveloped Ideas and Iisang Bangka Tayo. He is referring to the transition to online sales for recording products. 

Nonetheless, he still carried the torch for original songs, which are being out-hustled by revival songs. “Do not be discouraged na gumawa ng originals. A lot of great materials are out there, hindi lang sila nadidinig.”

Jett’s band performed during the said media gathering at Gilligan’s MOA as he was joined in by ex-Eraserheads Buddy Zabala on bass and the rest of The Dawn. That night, the MOA concert grounds served as venue for Y! Rocks in Manila.

Over 50 acts are said to have showed up and performed to a collective crowd of 30,000 from across Manila, Cebu and Davao. Both the mainstream and breakthrough artists in the list were selected through online voting care of Yahoo, the premier digital media company that organized the event.

Dingdong Avanzado: The network war can be partly blamed as a result of limited exposure of artists

“In keeping with Yahoo!’s tradition of music and expanding the boundaries of mainstream listening, Y! Rocks pays tribute to the richness and diversity of OPM and showcases the exceptional talent we have in the country,” stated Arlene Amarante, Yahoo! Philippines country ambassador.

Supporting Jett’s claim, balladeer Dingdong Avanzado, who also gave his time for the occasion, intriguingly pointed out, “There’s not much room for music now. The network war can be partly blamed as a result of limited exposure ng mga artists. Minsan sa 15-minute fame mo on TV, may kasama ka pang host singing a duet with you.”

Jett added, “With TV and radio giving limited exposure even to very good artists, the audience should have the mentality to go out and see these guys play.”

Dingdong lamented the situation of local artists in the midst of widespread piracy, “It is a worldwide problem. But since our market is small, we’re forced to try our luck in the international stage which is another story.”

Indie bands given spotlight at Y! Rocks include Stories of Now, Row Four, Paranoid City and Jeepney Joyride. Some of the big-name groups that participated were Wolfgang, True Faith, Parokya Ni Edgar, Pupil and Razorback.