Now brewing: Cup of Joe ‘serves different blends of music’ from Baguio

The members of the six-piece collective Cup of Joe are proud to represent the city of Baguio in the country’s music scene, joining fellow musicians from The North such as Uhaw hitmaker Dilaw and alternative rock band from early 2000s Session Road.

Cup of Joe is made up of vocalists Gian Bernardino and Raphaell Ridao, keyboardist Xen Gareza, lead guitarist Gab Fernandez, bassist Sevii Severino and guitarist CJ Fernandez.

“We are very proud seeing our fellow bands from the same city where we were created and where they’re making a name for themselves. The other people would say that there’s competition between bands but there’s none,” maintained Rapha in a roundtable interview with select press during their Patutunguhan show at Viva Café in Cubao.

“Like for example, other bands like Dilaw, we view them as brothers. We are very proud of each and every achievement that they (had) these past few months.”

CJ echoed how they support each other as a group of musicians. “We are proud to represent Baguio as one. We are not divided. All of us (artists) are united because we feel nadun namin na-express sarili namin sa Baguio. There are a lot of (undiscovered bands) in Baguio. Like Dilaw, we didn’t expect na mag-boom na ganun that’s why we are very proud (of them) and vice-versa. That’s how we feel about other (Baguio-based) artists.”

Xen noted that the music scene in Baguio has “always been rich.”

He elaborated, “Baguio is a very far place and is very isolated from the lowland cities like here in Manila. I think the music scene there has always been rich parang with social media, word of mouth, ngayon lang nadi-discover na mga artists naka-embed in the heart of the city.” He cited Dilaw, their own band and Daniel Razon as examples.

“Baguio is a place where multiple provinces and cities meet and (people) stay there because of the rich culture (as compared) to different places from around the country,” Xen went on. “And it molds into something that’s very unique kaya you can see with the success of Dilaw, our (band’s) slight success and other bands that record there.” He also mentioned their other “brother,” friend, and Baguio-based producer of SunKissed Lola.

“It’s not that Baguio is not OK (music scene) but matagal na siyang OK, matagal na siyang rich. Ngayon lang siya parang kumalat, na-exposed,” he asserted.

On a personal note, Gian shared that the atmosphere in Baguio has inspired them and other artists as well to write and compose ditties.

“Personally, feeling ko naman medyo may bearing din yung environment,” Gian remarked on why Baguio has produced many talented musicians. “Our latest single Nag-Iisang Muli, Rapha actually started the song basing it on the scenery where we are at when we started writing the song. The first (line) that he wrote, ‘Kay lamig ng simoy ng hangin.’”

From there, Gian began to strike the guitar based on the lyrics. “We were at school and then giniginaw lang kami. Then we formed a different kind of imagery in the song, which is mostly based on the environment in Baguio.

“We incorporated the emotions that we could relate to the imagery or scenery kung nasaan kami. Feeling ko naman may ganun. People are also coming to Baguio para mag-senti.”

The band members are all students from various universities in Baguio. CJ is taking up Electrical Engineering; Rapha, Computer Science; Sevii, Accountancy; Gian and Xen, Dentistry; and Gab, Medical Technology. They plan to pursue their passion for music after graduation.

Cup of Joe debuted back in 2019. They have been friends since senior high school and formed the group while in school. CJ, Gian, Rapha and Gab are from Pangasinan, Sevii from Isabela while Xen is from Abra.

Interestingly, the band’s name came out of the blue but took on a different meaning as time went by.

“Actually, the name Cup of Joe biglaan lang siya because there was this event that was about to start and we needed a name for the band,” recalled Gab. “So ayun hindi naman sa na-pressure kami (pero) biglang ko na lang naisip na Cup of Joe. ‘What if Cup of Joe na lang?’ Then they said, ‘Sige, OK na yun.’ There’s no inspiration (behind the name).”

Gian chimed in, “Nagkaroon na po siya ng meaning as time passed by. Cup of Joe is a slang for coffee and we incorporated that in our sound (and) vibe. It’s like every time they listen to our music (it’s like) umiinum sila ng coffee na nakaka-relax.

“Chill lang which is bumagay din kung nasaan kami which is in Baguio. It has also become part of our branding. When you say coffee, iba’t ibang timpla din siya so every release we get to serve different blends of music. That’s why we don’t really stick to just one sound.”

Cup of Joe has previously dropped the driven acoustic pop Sinderella, retro-flavored pop Alas Dose, mid-tempo ballads Sagada, Hayaan, retro wave-influenced Bukod Tangi and neo-folk tinged Ikaw Pa Rin Ang Pipiliin Ko.

Their fans (called Joewahs) attended their two-day shows called Patutunguhan at Viva Café. Patutunguhan is also the title of their first EP, which includes the singles Estranghero, Mananatili, Tataya, Tingin (a collaboration with Janine Teñoso), Patutunguhan and Wag Na Lang.