Launching their debut album "Out of the Floodways and Into Your Homes" last February 2nd, the members of Identikit must be on pins and needles still with the good turn-out at the event. People danced, sang along with sweet, sweet Sandy and cheered. With the publicity and attention the band has been getting from the industry prior to the event, there was a lot of anticipation on how their first full-length album would fare. Their EP Saturday Morning Chemistry was named Best EP in 2011, and features about the band were here and there, but would the long-awaited album live up to the hype?
I would say that it did. And if you think I'm only being biased since I have always been a fan of the band, then just ask the few people I dragged down to the launch who have never heard their music before. By the end of the night, one had an entire brown bag of Identikit items--from the CD, shirt, down to some pins. Another couldn't shut up about how the band was really, really good, and if you're still not convinced, feel free to ask the group of girls who were right up at the front during Identikit's set, dancing. If you could get them to calm down, of course.
Identikit is a Manila-based indie rock band made up of four friends: Sandy Buladaco on vocals, Joe de Jesus on guitar, Darrel Ballesteros on bass and Manny Mariñas on drums. I caught up with them to ask them about their album and what's in store for Identikit now that the launch has happened, and here's what they have to say:
What’s the story behind your band name? Does it have any reference to the Burning Airlines album?
Yes! Exactly!
What is the concept behind your debut album? The cover art alone is very intriguing. Why is it called Out Of The Floodways and Into Your Homes?
The concept for the album title was the *Ondoy aftermath. If my memory serves me right, that was our second rehearsal. That was when the flashfloods happened. We walked Marikina (in waist-deep flood!) to LRT Santolan area just to make it home.
The cover, it has something to do with the Ondoy flood way back 2009, same day we also rehearsed as a complete band. It was like a sequel to our EP "Saturday morning Chemistry" which also refers to our Saturday morning meeting/rehearsals.
Dina Gadia is the artist who made the front cover/spread of the CD. She has a lot of artworks regarding the flood since they also experienced it.
The band has been around for a couple of years. What took so long to get your debut album out?
"Uhm...schedules. Sandy's PMS. Hehe"
"Recording takes a lot of our time. And just like what they say, timing is everything."
"Most of us have day jobs so we only usually get to record on sundays."
"If you want to produce something precious, it takes time."
Dax (of Paranoid City) mentioned during the launch that this will be a good year for local indie music. There really is a good deal of talent out there, bands most especially, so what do you guys think sets Identikit apart? How do you want the band to be recognized?
Right now? We want our music to be locally recognized; not only us, but especially other, better and underrated bands in the indie scene as well. It's a big deal to have your music reach out to other places outside Manila. We hope the same for the indie scene in Cebu and Davao as well, for their music to extend to as far as Manila.
What music/bands are the influences to the sounds of Identikit?
My Bloody Valentine, fugazi, Hall and Oates, Les Savy Fav, Mystery Skulls, Danger Mouse,
New Order, Papas Fritas, Sonic Youth, Sex Pistols, Joy Division, Nirvana, St. Vincent, White Stripes, Beck, The Smiths, Wilco, Smashing Pumpkins.
On local music: Drip, Turbo Goth, Cambio, The Teeth and Eraserheads.
What’s next for Identikit?
"Gig outside manila, hopefully overseas. Even in Yemen. There are a lot of cool people there...ye, men."
"Indonesia. We heard the music scene there is great."
"Create more weird music!"
The album consists of 14 tracks, including 4 remixes of some of the originals. Me and My Japanese Bike is pure indie-rock goodness, with the drum beats and guitar exploding towards the middle. Tiny Fractures is also in there. And if you feel like hearing a new twist to this old favorite, try listening to the sultry Turbo Goth chill mix of the song by electronic rock duo, Turbo Goth. Everyone's all-time favorite, however, and mine as well, is this lovely track, Peach. Watch the video below:
Meanwhile, here's the newly released official music video for Me and My Japanese Bike:
If you like what you hear, support the band and the local indie music scene as well by purchasing a CD. That's just about the same amount of what you pay for a Starbucks coffee. ;)
IDENTIKIT
http://soundcloud.com/identikit_manila
http://www.facebook.com/weareidentikit
http://www.myspace.com/weareidentikit
*Ondoy, otherwise known as Typhoon Ketsana, is the most devastating typhoon to ever hit Manila, leaving hundreds of families without houses and claiming more than 400 lives. (Source)
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