MANILA, Philippines – A two-night concert in the world’s largest indoor arena, grander marketing executions, collaboration with international producers, mixing genres — P-pop group SB19 took bolder moves as it released its new extended play “Simula At Wakas” on Friday, April 25.
In an interview with Rappler, SB19 member Justin said every new release from the group seemed like a new beginning, as they’ve always said. But this time, the risks they took made all the difference. After the release of single “DAM,” all eyes are on them as fans anticipate five more songs from the EP.
Different genres, underlying theme
As the group’s main rapper Josh puts it, the EP has “different flavors and different scenarios” for different types of listeners.
“Kung hindi mo man-trip itong isang genre na ito, or hindi para sa’yo ito — kung ayaw mo ng maingay, ayaw mo ng tahimik, meron pa ring para sa iyo. May hip-hop, may rock, mayroong ballad,” he said.
(If you’re not a fan of one genre, if you feel like one genre is not for you — if you don’t like loud music, or sentimental music — there’s still something for you. There’s hip-hop, rock, there’s ballad.)
SB19 leader Pablo recommended tracks for certain moods. “Siguro kung mag-work out ka, pakinggan mo yung ‘8TonBall,’ ‘yung ‘DUNGKA!,’ ‘DAM,’ ‘yan pang-work out. Kung gusto mong mag-senti, after work, tapos madilim na, tahimik na, pakinggan nyo ‘yung ‘Time.’ Pakinggan nyo ‘yung ‘Quit.’ Hindi kayo magsisisi. Kung gusto mo lang ng feel-good vibe na parang nai-enjoy mo lahat ng bagay sa paligid mo or gusto mo travel, ‘Shooting for the Stars.’”
(If you’re working out, listen to “8TonBall,” “DUNGKA!,” “DAM.” Those songs are good for when you’re working out. If you feel sentimental, after work, when it’s dark and quiet, listen to “Time.” Listen to “Quit.” You won’t regret it. If you want a feel-good vibe when you want to enjoy the things happening around you, or when you’re traveling, listen to “Shooting for the Stars.”)
Delving deep into the group’s discography, it becomes clear the members are sharing parts of themselves through their songs, sharing vulnerability through the lyrics.
Josh revealed, “For me, it’s the highest form of art. I feel like, if di ka authentic, hindi ka true to yourself sa pinapakita mo in terms of everything you do. Kung itatago mo lang din lagi yung vulnerability mo, hindi na ikaw yun. Or if it’s not your story, I feel like, hindi na genuine, hindi makakarelate or hindi na natural.”
(For me, it’s the highest form of art. I feel like if you’re inauthentic, you’re not true to yourself in terms of everything you do. If you will hide your vulnerability, that’s not you anymore. Or if it’s not your story, I feel like it’s not genuine anymore. People won’t be able to relate to your art, or it’s no longer natural.)
“Life is bigger than any of my thoughts,” Pablo added. “Itong gift na meron ako, technically hindi siya para sa akin. Itong gift na meron ako, para siya sa ibang tao. So parang puno or ‘yung DAM tree. Kung baga ‘pag nagbunga kami, ‘yung mga fruit na napaproduce namin, hindi sya technically for us, but for others. Kaya as much as possible, sinasabi ko ‘yung thoughts ko through our music. Sinasabi ko ‘yung mga gusto kong sabihin, ginagawa ko ‘yung gusto kong gawin.”
(This gift that I have, technically it’s not for me. This gift is for other people. Like a tree, or our DAM tree. When we bear fruit, the fruit is technically not for us, but for others. So as much as possible, I express my thoughts through our music. I say what I want to say, I do what I want to do.)
More collaborators
Pablo said the collaborators they worked with for the EP were not necessarily “chosen” — in a way the songs chose the collaborators — since they prioritized choosing songs that tell their story.
The members worked with different producers for different songs: Xerxes Bakker, Alawn, August Rigo, Simon Servida, and Josue of RADKIDZ all helped to complete the tracks.
Josh shared that the process for “8TonBall” felt enlightening for him. “Mas naging mahirap sa akin siguro ‘yung part na I’m trying to speak for the entire group or trying to write for the entire group, rather than just myself. Kasi syempre, iniisip ko talaga kung ano ‘yung gusto rin nilang sabihin, kung ano ‘yung ano yung gusto ng part — na parang para sa part na ito, ano kaya ‘yung bagay for this voice? Parang iniisip mo agad kung ano ‘yung part ni Justin, part ni Ken, part ni Stell, ‘yung mga ganon,” he added.
(What was more challenging for me was the part where I’m trying to speak for the entire group or trying to write for the entire group, rather than just myself. Of course, I was thinking about what they wanted to say. Or what part they want to sing. For example, whose voice would be most suitable for this certain part? It’s like I was already thinking which will be Justin’s part, or Ken’s, or Stell’s.)
Main dancer Ken, who has a prolific discography under his solo project FELIP, also talked about how “Quit” was supposed to be a solo song. “The song was pretty much done. Melody, lahat. And then, after nung ma-select nila yung kanta, nabago talaga doon. Kasi kailangan mag-fit din talaga sa group,” he said.
(The song was pretty much done. Melody and all. And then, after we have selected the songs to include in this EP, we had to change the arrangements of the song because it has to fit the group.)
Surprise music video
With the EP released on April 25, the group also put out the music video for “Time.” Described as an “anthemic ballad,” it talked about how things may pass, as nothing is permanent.
In a statement, SB19 said, “Time will run out soon. All we can do is try our best and make the most out of it.”
Surprising fans, the group also dropped a music video for “DUNGKA!” on Friday.
The high-energy piece with echoes of activism featured celebrities Mimiyuuuh, Maymay Entrata, Alodia Gosiengfiao, Sassa Gurl, Jayat, Kween Yasmin, Malupiton, Ghost Wrecker, Shehyee, Smugglaz, Pat Lasaten, Agnes Reoma and Vice Ganda — all seemingly calling for collective action.
“They’re people who also want to speak up, who want change, who want to be part of a movement that challenges a flawed system. Everything just fell into place. The concept, the message — it all aligned. It felt like the right time to show people that we can do this now — that this is where SB19 is,” the P-pop group said.
Stell, the group’s main vocalist, expressed his excitement to perform these songs for the fans. “Kapag with dance, excited ako i-perform ‘yung ‘DUNGKA!’ Pero when it comes to kanta-kanta, parang excited ako sa ‘Time,’” he said.
(If you’re asking me in terms of dance or performance, I’m excited to perform “DUNGKA!” But when it comes to singing, I’m excited for “Time.”)
DAM Tree
Another part of the EP release is the infamous DAM Tree installed in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. Fans visiting the tree get to experience the world of “Simula At Wakas” by listening to the tracks through parabolic sound drones.
Two nights at Philippine Arena
Seven hours after tickets went on sale, seats for Day 1 of the group’s world tour kick-off were already sold out. This prompted the group to add another day to their concert at the Philippine Arena.
This makes SB19 the first Filipino act to hold two days of concert in the world’s largest indoor arena, and promises to give a breathtaking show. The members shared they have been working on new arrangements and choreography for some of their songs.
Justin invited fans, saying “Sana po makapunta kayo dahil super boogsh yung concert namin.”
(I hope you can come because the concert will blow your mind.)
Ken said in an earlier interview that they hope to give concert-goers a full experience. Their big ambition: transport the fans to the “Simula At Wakas” dimension.
More risks
With all the risks the group has taken, the members say they have no regrets. Almost seven years since their debut, they say all their learnings have been worth it.
Stell added, “Feeling ko kaya ako naging ganito ngayon, based din sa mga ginawa ko noon. So kung babaguhin ko yun, or may isiskip ako doon, baka wala ko ngayon dito. Baka napunta ko sa ibang path, baka iba yung buhay ko ngayon, baka hindi ako matinong tao, baka nagiba yung perspective ko sa life.”
(I feel like I am who I am now because of the things I did before. So if I will change that, or if I will skip something from the past, I might not be where I am now. I might be on another path. I might be living a different kind of life. I might not be the same person, my perspectives might be different.)
Fans will have to wait and see how the P-pop trailblazers will outdo themselves again. – Rappler.com
Content shared from www.rappler.com.