Meet the Band Called FIREFLIES

Took time out of my busy schedules for a night out on my neighborhood in Quezon City. Pretty dark out there, but I've seen something glow from afar, it was lights from a local bar where I saw FIREFLIES was playing.

It's a band formed in 2016, who now decided to get re-launched with new members in tow. If you're a little observant, you probably know most of them are from bands Cueshé who's had remarkable success in the early 2000's. Jay Justiniani does Lead Vocals, Jhunjie Dosdos on Vocals , Guitar and Keyboards, while JC Del Rosario IV does Vocals and Bass Guitar, RM Tolentino who does Percussions and Pat Galut does the Lead Guitar. They've been working hard the past few months taking a shot at writing songs, doing covers and performing in different locations across the Philippines.

Here's our short chat with them after a set, apologies as it's quite noisy in the bar we were in that evening. 

Jay says "Actually, this group is easy to work with. Jhunjie is a former band member of Cueshé (like him) so we do really know each others dynamics. Our other band members are also good songwriters, so it was easy to work with even though we have different ideas. It was easier to make songs if you guys understand each other. Jhunjie and I are good friends, and good friends are hard to come by."

JC adds "Jhunjie and I started to work with Fireflies, and we now have new band members, we just didn't have a vocalist then, Jay agreed to join later on and that became a positive direction for the Fireflies band."

Jhunjie adds "I remember Jay was having doubts joining us a few years back. He was very busy and was based in Cebu. It was a bit difficult because we were playing in Manila most of the time. Some of the former Fireflies got a little tired working with us in the band because of the pandemic as income was really tight because we didn't have gigs during the lockdown. He had to go back to Davao. I was the only one left, I knew I had to do something. I'm thankful Jay agreed even if we haven't seen each other for a long time."

They named themselves Fireflies because it's like a spark in the dark. They're raring to perform in company parties, concerts local or foreign. They are currently being managed by Ms. Grace who previously worked in ABSCBN. You may get in touch with them through 09923150106 as it'll be surely busy during the holidays. They're bringing their new brand of music, some covers, and some old classics that 90's kids, Millenials and Gen Z's would absolutely love. They're going to release a few singles soon, so make sure you follow them also on their social channels at https://www.facebook.com/fireflies.ph because they're going to post updates of their gigs on that page.

Cheers to more music from FIREFLIES! Hope you shine brighter in the darkest hours and share your love of music even more!

Chynna, her Music and Lara Serena

I've already interviewed and met Chynna Ortaleza several times so I thought I already knew her. Her stint at The Rich Man's Daughter sort of have given us another side of her, which we all probably didn't know she's very well capable of. The other cast members did as much work as she did, and look at what their show now. Ratings have gone sky high, the amount of support they're getting is big, but are we just scratching the surface? I bet.

 I've been to 70's Bistro, a long time ago in fact to watch my favorite bands perform, and perhaps see up and coming artists who are all trying to make it big in the scene. What I got from Chynna that evening was her extreme gusto to explore another world. She feels she also belongs to the indie scene and finds that it feeds her artistic hunger. I was even able to see Chynna watch bands from the audience and how she gets excited when we hear their music. 

Oddly that it seems, this is much like a dream for her. When Darwin Hernandez and Kean Cipriano help her produce some of her work, everything just came into place. They named the band Lara Serena, which is Chynna's real name. Together with Chen Pangan on Lead guitar, Mat Rabena on rhythm , Z Mendioro on bassand KV Viloria on drums, Chynna took hold of the vocals and had their band formed during the last week of June. Friend and co-artist Glaiza De Castro also helped in some of her original tracks which they played during their first gig in Saguijo. This time, it was for the BabaePower tour which aims to hasten women empowerment, hence the great lineup with female vocalists and musicians.

Converse: Deserving Indie Bands Get Loud!

Who are we to stop creativity? Are we making sure that the artistically forward are recognized in this country? Are we even giving them a voice when its due them? Well it's time we do. That's exactly why CONVERSE encourages us to Get Loud! The need to get noticed, without putting off listeners and get that coveted career on a roll. Converse is here to get these Indie bands some needed push and that's going to happen now.

This is Paranoid City. Their strength lies in using synthesizers for most of their masterpieces. With songs like "Hello Strange", "We Are/HereWe Go" they will let you feel that there's space for Pop Funk and Electro Dance. You'll figure out why their music, coupled with an Ivy League fashion template can bring them to the front of their genres and make a mark in this industry. It's something they wish for, it's something they want to happen soon. Armed with Jack Purcell pieces on their wardrobe, they won't have problems getting noticed.

This one's Stereodeal. Having quirky, intelligent and poetic music isn't just something the band is known for. They are bringing to the table their brand of Alternative Music. A very creative thought process comes into every song they make and influences in everyday situations, even love make up most of their originals. That real vibe and melancholic songs such as "Hypertime" and fast ones like "Relentless" makes them a force to be reckoned with. Together with their tasteful choices in music and a look mostly based on the CONS line, they will surely get to impress even the most discriminating audiences wherever, whenever that may be. 

 With a promising career in sight, awesome clothes, shoes and love for what is innately theirs... Their brand of music and Converse's support, nothing is impossible... They will Get Loud!

For more information about their bands:

Converse Philippines

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Visit their official website

http://www.converse.com.ph