After gracing the online music channel Spotlight Music Sessions and performing Buwan months back, Wickermoss treats music enthusiasts to its latest single, Babalik. Both are love songs, but the former is about falling in love, while the latter tackles heartbreak.
From the bright, upbeat mood of Buwan, the band takes the melancholic route with Babalik, pouring out genuine feelings of love and pain. Give it a listen to discover what the title means as you wrap your head around the narrative.
Instead of releasing a full album, the alternative rock band seems to take things slowly but surely and follows the trend these days to release a single after another.
“What was very unique about (coming up with) this track, it was composed during the pandemic,” said bassist Roger Alcantara in a recent virtual group interview, which also featured fellow band members Reiman Gesmundo (guitars), Allen Lucas (vocals and acoustic guitar), Rigil Borromeo (guitars) and Karmi Santiago (drums). “That was tough. We were all in our homes.”
Like everyone else, they took advantage of the convenience that the Internet and gadgets afforded. The Wickermoss men and women exchanged ideas and fulfilled tasks virtually until they had a solid structure for Babalik to record.
“How did we overcome the challenges?” said Roger. “By being resilient and resourceful.”
According to him, it’s easier for them to compose tunes about love and romance, but the group is not limiting itself to such a theme.
The creative process for Wickermoss begins with a writer’s idea. Allen, Reiman and Rigil are into crafting songs. Once it is written, the song itself seeks out the kind of music, like alternative, it will be set against.
“Then, I will present it to all. And it’s up to them (my fellow artists and musicians) to work from there,” said Allen.
Although Wickermoss is into alternative music, its members come from diverse musical influences like ballad, classical, jazz, pop, classic Original Pilipino Music (OPM), rap, rock, R&B and hip-hop.
This speaks of the band’s versatility and eclecticism, which it might explore in the next musical endeavor.
As for recording a single rather than an album, Roger said, “I think because nowadays we have the luxury of doing that. It’s easier to release a single. Parang dati mag-lalabas ka ng isang album na para isang push, sayang eh, di ba? Now you can release one song and then, promote it. Mas maganda sa tingin ko yun kasi kung single, single, single matututukan mo yung kanta (I think such a norm is good because you get to focus on one song).”
“May pressure din kasi dapat lahat ng songs na ilalabas mo ay single-worthy (There’s also pressure that all the songs you have to release are single-worthy),” added he. “Ibig sabihin dapat maganda every time (It means that you need to come up with something beautiful every time).”
Sometimes, in curating an album, artists tend to put fillers to complete it, especially when they are pressed for time. That’s why there’s what one may call B-side.
“Pero kapag single ang nilalabas every time, pwede naman siyang maging album in the end, ‘di ba? (But when you release one single after another single, you can put them together or compile them as an album in the end) at least alam mo premyado lahat. Kumbaga salang-sala yun kasi magaganda lahat, single-worthy lahat.”
Wickermoss is aware of the ins and outs of the music industry. In fact, it collaborated with AltG Records, a sub-label under GMA Music, almost two decades ago. Its album Falling Leaves, with such tracks such as Buwan, Falling Leaves and Letters, was released under AltG Records, according to the band’s team.
Babalik is a reunion project between the band and the label. This time around, Roger and Reiman are joined by new members Allen, Rigil and Karmi.
Asked what has kept the band playing good music and recording songs all these years, Roger said, “All you have to do is get in touch with that kid (in you), that I just want to play music, I want to tell stories. If you keep it that way, I don’t think there’s any point of quitting because when you feel you’re born to do this, why stop?”
“And those who consider stopping, I think they are more focused on the results, their goals. What’s beautiful about this entire experience is the journey,” added Karmi. “If your focus is on it, every day you will wake up (with the thought of) making music that you want to play. I feel it’s enough reason for you to stay in the industry.”
It’s a source of inspiration for any solo artist or group to create music in spite of trends and changes.
Aside from composing tunes, the members work in the Mindscapes guitar lab and are all session players themselves, who play for different artists.
Given the musical inclination and talents of Julie Anne San Jose and Rayver Cruz, the Wickermoss members want to collaborate with JulieVer. Also, on their wish list is working with international artist Ez Mil.
During the interview, Allen also mentioned about a song, described as a bit mellow, to be released soon.
For now, enjoy listening to Babalik on digital platforms.
(For details, visit www.gmanetwork.com.)