Entertainment

The rock legend’s upcoming album features E Street Band

Bruce Springsteen, the rock legend will release new album “Letter to You” and recorded live in his New Jersey home studio with the E Street Band on October 23, 2020 (Friday) via Columbia Records. Fueled by the band’s heart-stopping, house-rocking signature sound, the 12-track Letter To You is Springsteen’s 20th studio album.

Springsteen said, “I love the emotional nature of ‘Letter To You’. And I love the sound of the E Street Band playing completely live in the studio, in a way we’ve never done before, and with no overdubs. We made the album in only five days, and it turned out to be one of the greatest recording experiences I’ve ever had.”

Letter to You includes nine recently written Springsteen songs, as well as new recordings of three of his legendary, but previously unreleased compositions from the 1970s: “Janey Needs a Shooter,” “If I Was the Priest,” and “Song for Orphans.”

Springsteen is joined on Letter To You by Roy Bittan, Nils Lofgren, Patti Scialfa, Garry Tallent, Stevie Van Zandt, Max Weinberg, Charlie Giordano and Jake Clemons. The album was produced by Ron Aniello with Bruce Springsteen, mixed by Bob Clearmountain and mastered by Bob Ludwig. Letter To You is Springsteen’s first time performing with the E Street Band since The River 2016 tour, which was named the year’s top global tour by both Billboard and Pollstar.

Bruce Springsteen’s recording career spans over 40 years, beginning with 1973’s ‘Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ’ (Columbia Records). He has garnered 20 Grammys, won an Oscar and a Tony, been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, received a Kennedy Center Honor and was MusiCares’ 2013 Person of the Year. Springsteen’s memoir ‘Born to Run’ (Simon & Schuster) and its companion album ‘Chapter and Verse’ were released in September 2016, and he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in November 2016. His historic 236-show run of ‘Springsteen on Broadway’ at Jujamcyn’s Walter Kerr Theatre from October 2017 to December 2018 also yielded an accompanying soundtrack album and Netflix special. In 2019, Springsteen released ‘Western Stars,’ his first studio album in five years, and together with longtime collaborator Thom Zimny he co-directed ‘Western Stars,’ a feature film released through Warner Bros.

The Tracklist is as follows:

1. One Minute You’re Here
2. Letter To You
3. Burnin’ Train
4. Janey Needs A Shooter
5. Last Man Standing
6. The Power Of Prayer
7. House Of A Thousand Guitars
8. Rainmaker
9. If I Was The Priest
10. Ghosts
11. Song For Orphans
12. I’ll See You In My Dreams

Watch the video for the album’s title track here: brucespringsteen.lnk.to/LTYSPS/youtube

Pre-order Letter To You here: brucespringsteen.lnk.to/LTY-POPS

Filipino pop rock band, Orange & Lemons have proven time and again, that they’re capable of writing infinitely that maintain a distinct sensibility and effortlessness amidst shifting trends. While listening to their new single, Orange and Lemons really brings out their best in their new indie pop single “You Bring Out My Best” is out today, September 11, 2020 (Friday), on all digital platforms worldwide via Lilystars Records.

Their new single, “You Bring Out My Best” is among their most delightful work to date: a song that finds Clem waxing poetic on the intimate moments that he once shared with a fictional ex-lover. The song was intended as a pitch for a commercial project, but the band decided to release it as a stand-alone single. Clem Castro, Orange & Lemons’ chief songwriter and producer reveals, “We just love how the song turned out, it’s the first time we sat down together working on a concept material, with no relevant inspiration for it. Just a play with words and melodic lines.”

Orange & Lemons

The production packs a punch in a way that is seamlessly understated but compelling—never overdoing the process to gain attention or impress music fans. But it’s the songwriting that remains front and center to this massive release, a distinct mold whose appeal transcends generations of any kind.

“You Bring Out My Best” was written, arranged, and demo-recorded last February 2020 at O&L’s drummer studio from 4pm to 3am. The members of the band had to maximize their time together because they live far from one another, with Clem already having an approximate idea of a verse and chorus lines for the session. After jamming with the band, they brainstormed on adding sections and parts to complete the demo. “The resulting production has that trademark O&L sound, and much, much more because of the contribution of our keyboard player, who after more than a year of being an official member has immersed himself in indie-pop stylings,” the Orange & Lemons frontman adds.

Four months after the demo was shelved, Orange & Lemons finally braved the studioto resume recording of their new single “You Bring Out My Best.”  Armed with disinfectants and face masks, the award-winning band carefully observed health and safety protocols to finish the material. Clem says, “We had to remove our shoes when tracking, and only one person is allowed at a time to record. The rest had to wait outside at the receiving area of Sonic State Audio in Mandaluyong City.”

For more information checkout Orange & Lemons’ Facebook and website, http://orangeandlemons.co 

Another collaboration to get you in the mood for fun the Aussie indie sensation Sebastian Rhodes recruits Filipina-Singaporean artist YsaYanesa on the hyper-pop anthem“Miss Me”.  Where exploring the glitchy but shimmering surface of pop music, the eclectic duo trades verses over a slightly experimental production.

“Miss Me” is a brash, unapologetic kiss-off that takes a swipe at someone’s past relationships. According to Rhodes, he wrote the PC-inspired jam for all his exes who are trying to come back into his life, now that things are looking up and exciting. “They were nowhere to be to be found during the tough times of extreme depression,” he adds.

Sebastian Rhodes

After writing the first verse, the Aussie hyper-pop act realized that he needed another voice to air out his frustrations, lyrically and musically. “I found Ysa through an online zoom show and I was so impressed with her performance that I reached out to her on Instagram,” says Rhodes. “Ysa had the exact sound I was looking for to complete this single. I sent her the track and we wrote it using voice memos. We both finally recorded our vocals and sent it off to be mixed and mastered.”

The collaboration paved way for a sleek, colorful bop that wouldn’t feel out of place on records released by Charli XCX, Hannah Diamond, and Caroline Polachek. Songwriting-wise, Sebastian Rhodes displays a no-frills, confessional approach as he name-checks some of his exes in the latest release. “Artists like Taylor Swift often write about particular relationships, but I’ve never heard a song that drops 5 exes,” the hyper-pop star shares in a statement. “That’s next level. It was incredibly therapeutic to reflect and laugh about how I’ve been treated in the past. I wish nothing but the best for every single one of them! It’s not coming from a place of hate.”

The newly released “Miss Me” is now available on Spotify and other streaming/digital platforms.

The ASEAN Music Showcase Festival (AMS) is set to launch its inaugural edition online on September 19 to 20,2020, with the goal of creating a platform that elevates Southeast Asia’s music scene onto the world stage. Also will streamed live for the world to discover.

Founded by concert and festival promoters, conference organizers, and music community influencers from Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, AMS takes on the challenge of providing networking opportunities for emerging musicians in Asia and global music industry leaders, while hurdling the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic through a virtual music gathering that celebrates the region’s finest.

On its debut year, the collaborative showcase festival presents a diverse lineup handpicked by its founding members: Singapore’s SGMUSO; Thailand’s Bangkok Music City co-founded by Fungjai Co., Ltd. and NYLON Thailand;Malaysia’s City ROARS! Festival; Indonesia’s SRM; and the Philippines’ The Rest Is Noise PH.

The lineup includes 20 artists from participating countries:

Singapore – Linying, Marian Carmel, Coming Up Roses, and J.M3

Thailand – TONTRAKUL, Valentina Ploy, STOIC, and H 3 F

Malaysia – Bayangan, Buddha Beat, Golden Mammoth, and mutesite

Indonesia – Tanayu, bangkutaman, Rangkai, and Oslo Ibrahim

Philippines – Pikoy, Cheats, Uprising Records Artists, and August Wahh

Aside from the virtual music showcase featuring artists from various music genres, AMS will be hosting a private virtual meet with some of the biggest and most promising music business professionals in the world, as well as up-and-coming and established artists in Asia.

For more details about ASEAN Music Showcase Festival, visit the official website here.

The OPM Archive Foundation has announced its official plans to collect Filipino music memorabilia and champion digital archiving in a time that needs preservation of cultural artifacts. This was announced during the virtual presser last August 26, 2020.

The OPM Archive Foundation are the “next gen” members of the group, Moy Ortiz (President) Krina Cayabyab (Vice President) Dinah Remolacio (Treasurer) and Chevy Salvador (Secretary) while the more senior members will stay on as board members and advisers.

The archive is a separate entity from Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM) in that it will serve as a foundation that collects and documents not just the actual original Filipino music, but also narratives, photographs, music sheets and press releases. Originally, the term “OPM” referred to the inclusive period from the 70s to 80s when a rich influx of new and modern sounds, melodies, lyrics, singers and musicians flooded the airwaves, and even the theater, with original dance musicals as “Rama Hari” and “Tales of the Manuvu”. Among the familiar and popular voices that emerged, aside from Celeste Legaspi’s were Basil Valdez, Hajji Alejandro, Sampaguita, Mike Hanopol, Florante, Freddie Aguilar, Leah Navarro, Didith Reyes, just to name a few.

The archive, however, for the purposes of music research and study for future generations, shall extend its borders to the precedents of this era, the 60’s, and extend to the present, and hopefully can be sustained into the future, for the identification and recognition of music development. The accompanying narratives will seek to contextualize the music in its specific social relevance that defined each period, and perhaps identify continuity to the next period.

Plans for the OPM Archive gave rise before the lockdown, when the Filipinas Heritage Library (FHL), where the archive was to be housed, was ready to receive the hard copy donations. With the lockdown, FHL head, Suzanne Yupangco and the archive group agreed to go digital. This does not, however, preclude the collecting of hard copies once the quarantine period is over. There is nothing like seeing the original “in the flesh”. While each hard copy donation will be digitized, the original copies will also be preserved through actual preventive conservation, knowing how digitization alone can be prone to obsolescence because of evolving digital formats.

Music plays a major role in peoples’ lives. It is something everyone cares about. And the archive hopes to ensure that the musical gems it documents and collects will live on from generation to generation, so children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren can appreciate, learn from, and perhaps someday, revise, improvise, follow or change approaches to music.

The digital collection of the archieve is now available for viewing and open to the public for donations. Just log on to opmarchive.com.

The launch of the OPM Archive is an initiative of founding members of OPM, led by its founder and first president, Celeste Legaspi, with Girlie Rodis, Tats Rejante Manahan, Lyca Benitez Brown, next generation members, Moy Ortiz, Chevy Salvador, Dinah Remolacio and Krina Cayabyab.

Alternative rock icon Rico Blanco spreads love and positivity amidst difficult times on his new single, “Happy Feelin”—out last, August 25, on all digital platforms worldwide.

On his second release this year under Sony Music, the award-winning producer and singer-songwriter delivers a bright, upbeat number that soars with an inescapable chorus and a rockabilly vibe.

For someone who has spent a career pushing pop music to exciting new places, Rico Blanco succeeds in releasing a diverse selection of tunes that blends crossover appeal with an adventurous edge. Count “Happy Feelin” as the latest addition to his winning streak: a finger-snapping, retro-leaning bop that finds Blanco dialing down his sonic ambition for something that resembles a big ball of sunshine.

Rico Blanco

“Happy Feelin” is the second song written and produced by Blanco in his home studio during the lockdown period. It’s the follow-up single to “This Too Shall Pass,” which was released on the first week of May 2020.

Stream Rico Blanco’s latest single here.

The country’s premier songwriting competition, PhilPop has officially unveiled its top 6 finalists from the Visayas and Mindanao cluster. With #MusicBreakingBorders as its newest tagline, the music institution sets its sights in promoting top-notch Filipino compositions on a scale that’s never been done before: by going global and forging regional ties.

Carefully handpicked from thousands of submissions, the first batch of finalists from PhilPop Songwriting Festival 2020 recently graced the online media presentation last August 24, 2020 (Wednesday).

The following are the finalist from the Vis-Min cluster include, in no particular order:

Visayas:

JerikaTeodorico – “Ayaw Na Lang” (Cebu City, Cebu)

Jerika is a singer-songwriter born and raise in Cebu City. She writes songs exclusively in the Cebuano language, and has been joining songwriting competitions since she was 17, with most entries centered on the advocacy of uplifting Bisaya music. At the same time, she has also been performing around Cebu City and other Bisaya-speaking areas. She is currently working on her debut album.

Noah Alejandre and ReanneBorela – “Suyo” (Ormoc City, Leyte)

reon” (麗音 in Kanji) meaning “麗” is beautiful, “音” is sound. “reon” is a Filipino indie music duo formed in 2020 which focuses on making bedroom pop music. The band consists of Noah Glynn Alejandre (singer-songwriter, producer) and Reanne Julia Borela (singer-songwriter). The duo band embraces it’s simplicity and rawness of its tracks by telling narratives of different experiences which captures the ears of many. Upon exploring different genres to delve in to, “reon” identifies itself as distinct, with its take on different genres on each of its releases. “reon” started releasing songs since January 6th of 2020 with its debut single “Off My Mind”. The then released their 5th and 6th single namely “Better Off Without You” and “I Really Like You” gathering almost two hundred thousand streams on Spotify on both of the songs.

Michael Catarina – “Hinungdan” (Cebu City, Cebu)

Michael started writing songs in 2017. Hee has joined a few songwriting competitions and so far qualifying for PhilPop is his biggest songwriting event. He still considers himself an amateur as he hasn’t fully produced any of his songs yet and has only begun to develop himself as a songwriter.

Mindanao:

John Cadeliña  – “AkongBililhon”(Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur)

 Back when John was in 3rd grade, he has already accompanied his local parish through the children’s choir and playing the keyboard/organ. Since then, he has began to develop his talent and confidence in music. Having no formal training in music, he plays it by ear. Fast forward to college, his band decided to join a TV talent show, called PGT2, and we made it to the Grand Finals. They were able to perform as a band for year before they separated. John then started joining local songwriting competitions before joining regional and national level contests. Recently, John started his solo project called The Marshland, inspired by Owl City, Five for Fighting, City and Colour, etc.

Christian Chiu – “Kasadya” (Corandal City, South Cotabato)

XT on Sax is the saxophonist of the band, Matcha, which has released two singles this year. He spearheaded the Ilonggo Pop movement that started in Koronadal City, South Cotabato, and debuted the album of the same name last December 21, 2019. He wrote two songs in the Ilonggo Pop album; Hinambalan which featured EJ Parsacala, and Buy-An, which featured a duet of two champions: Ferdinand Aragon, Champion of Visayas Music Awards 2019, and Mau Ria, Champion of Mindanao Pop Music Festival 2020. In the same album, he contributed to the works of Don Flores and NatNat on their songs Amo Gid Na Ya, and Nonoy sa Alunan, respectively. He appeared as a guest artist in the country’s first all-sax concert, S.I.L.A (Saxophone Idols Live in Action) last 2018 at Music Museum, and last 2019 at Resorts World Manila, together with the other saxophonists: Archie Lacorte, JB Javelosa, SaxSerenade, Nicole Tejedor, and Josh Espinosa. His most recent achievement was with their version of Nobela, sung by Jay-ar Vaño, which as of today has garnered over 1.6M spotify streams.

Sherwin Fugoso – “Pahuway” (Jabonga, Agusan del Norte)

Sherwin Fugoso is a songwriter who is also a member of the band Oh!Caraga. He has been a finalist for several Songwriting Competitions such as VISPOP 4.0 (2016), Santa Kasingkasing (2018), and MinPop Festival (2020). He has written a few songs interpreted by other artists such as #BUANG by Jewel Villaflores and Baga Ka’g Face by Malaya Macaraeg

According to PhilPop Executive Director Dinah Remolacio, the entries underwent multiple rounds of selection process until Top 3 per clusters were handpicked. “We wanted our process to be inclusive so the decision making involved local and international representatives from Warner Music, representatives from our regional partner for each cluster, and representatives from PhilPop,” Remolacio shares in a statement.

The selection committee is headed by Festival Chair and PhilPop Musicfest National Artist Ryan Cayabyab, as well as Foundation Board Members, adjudicators, partners, and Warner Music Philippines Executives such as PhilPop Musicfest Foundation President Victorico P. Vargas, Festival Co-Chair and PhilPop Musicfest Foundation Board Member Noel Cabangon, PhilPop Musicfest Foundation Executive Director Dinah A. Remolacio, PhilPop Musicfest Foundation Lead Adjudicators Jungee Marcelo and Trina Belamide, Warner Music Philippines Managing Director Ian Monsod, MinPopMusicfest Director and Mindanao Cluster Partner Jeremy Sarmiento, and Kadasig Founder and Visayas Cluster Partner Jude Gitamondoc.

PhilPop is currently wrapping up its adjudication process for the remaining clusters namely: North Luzon, South Luzon, and Metro Manila. The finalists representing the remaining regions will be announced next month.

In terms of the selection of finalists from the Mindanao Cluster, MinPopMusicfest Director Jeremy Sarmiento takes pride of how the top three finalists took inspiration from various sources, yet their songs sounded truly ‘Mindanaoan’ in terms of cultural context and identity. Sarmiento also cited the importance of regional representation, and how this platform helpsin introducing different stories and diverse experiences through music. “There’s no better way to achieve that than giving an opportunity to those in the regions to tell their own stories. Representation provides a reflection of each of their languages, ideals, feelings and that’s what we ultimately need to understand each other better, the uniqueness of the Filipinos, expressed through songs.”

Kadasig Founder and Visayas Cluster Partner Jude Gitamondoc is also optimistic about their official picks for the Visayas cluster, citing diversity and universal appeal as two of main reasons that make these songs a standout in the competition. “I think the songs chosen to represent the Visayas are a great representation of the region,” says Gitamondoc. “We have an electronic-infused track, another one that’s soulful, and another that’s folksy. That pretty much shows how varied the musicality is in the Visayas. We are at the center of the country. We are a melting pot of cultures, influences, and ideas.”

PhilPop Songwriting Festival 2020 is an initiative of the PhilPop Music Foundation, chaired by Mr. Manny V. Pangilinan. This year’s PhilPop is co-presented by SMART, MERALCO, and MAYNILAD, with official partners, Warner Music Philippines, Kadasig, and MinPop.

BTS, the Global superstars released the music video for their new single “Dynamite” worldwide through their official social channels.

The new music video of “Dynamite” is colorful and bright, featuring retro concept props, hairstyles, and attire. The overall mood is lively and vibrant from start to finish, perfectly capturing the joyful energy of the song’s melody and lyrics.

In their new single “Dynamite,” which comes only six months after their last album, BTS sings of joy and confidence, treasuring the little things in life that make life truly valuable and special. The song aims to bring a new surge of much-needed ‘energy’ to reinvigorate the global community in the midst of COVID-19. Creative contributors to “Dynamite” include David Stewart and Jessica Agombar, known for “What A Man Gotta Do” by the Jonas Brothers and “I Love You’s” by Hailee Steinfeld.

It opens with the image of BTS as they stand gathered but soon scatter. The members one by one express their own style and individuality in different spaces.

BTS delivers dynamic performances in and out of various locations, including a room, doughnut shop, record shop, basketball court, luxurious stage, and open field. The “Dynamite” music video shows off not only remarkable group choreography but also improvised dances, as well as solo and unit performances. The members perform with seriousness and charisma, but also brighten the mood with playful expressions.

The second half of the music video features vibrant “color powder” rocketing into the sky, accentuating the explosive energy and joyful performance of BTS as they dance on an open field.

This vivid Disco Pop track marks the superstar group’s first-ever song to be released completely in English; having sought a “breakthrough” to overcome a sense of disheartenment stemmed from the current global climate, BTS embarks on a new challenge through “Dynamite.”

The first TV performance premiere of “Dynamite” will be at the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards on August 30 8:00 PM EDT.

Dominic Chin, Singapore pop artist has released ALONE, the 6th single from his upcoming debut EP License To Cry, via Singapore indie label Umami Records. The singer-songwriter lays bare his struggles with anxiety disorder.

The acclaimed Singapore-based artist also clarifies that ALONE is not a song meant to uplift anybody. “It’s a song to let people who struggle with anxiety issues like me to know that they are not alone, and that I too struggle with it on a day to day basis and I’m still here.”

Dom

“Dear don’t let me go, let me go tonight,” he pleads desperately in the chorus, accompanied by a minimalist, gentle electro-pop beat that gives the track its melancholic, intimate vibe. ALONE takes a step back from the dance floor and finds a way to reflect on life decisions cautiously, without resorting to self-sabotage.

“The song is about my anxiety order and how it affects all the relationships in my life,” Dominic Chin shares in a statement. “Finding love and peace with good healthy relationships but feeling tremendously undeserving of it, resulting in me wanting to sabotage the relationship. The song talks about feeling conflicted about my relationships, being totally defeated and yearning for some help while I fight my battles with feeling disorientated by all that is going on in my mind.”

Dominic Chin’s debut EP License To Cry is scheduled for release on 9 October 2020, followed by his debut show at the Esplanade Singapore on 26 December 2020.

Listen to ALONE by Dominic Chin everywhere at this link: https://www.umamirecords.sg/alone/

About Dominic Chin

The 24-year-old singer-songwriter from Singapore started covering songs on YouTube in 2010, and his channel has more than 9200 subscribers and 1.3M views. After the viral success of You First Believed, a tribute song he wrote for Singapore founding father Mr Lee Kuan Yew in 2014, he was compelled to start writing more originals. He released his first single CLSE2U in 2018, followed by SHY, HERE, AWARE and BETTER, and his songs have been featured on major Spotify editorial playlists including ‘Electro Mix’ and ‘Singapore’s Top Acts’.

Instagram · Twitter · Facebook · YouTube · TikTok