WHY IV OF SPADES IS ABOUT TO BECOME YOUR NEW FAVORITE BAND?
By ezequiellumbang - April 11, 2018
WHY IV OF SPADES IS ABOUT TO BECOME YOUR NEW FAVORITE BAND?
♤
Recently, OPM bands and artists have not been appreciated as enthusiastically as before, because of a new generation of music lovers who tended to like western music or K-pop.
Well well, I’ve got good news!
Meet IV of Spades! This band is the hottest topic in the nation right now, and the music they make is impeccable. I could probably call them the heroes of OPM!
Fuck yeah.
In an era where both millennials and Gen Z-ers obsess over vinyl, analog photography, old cartoons, and retro aesthetics, IV OF SPADES couldn’t have entered the game at a better time. Playing at this year’s Scout Music Fest, the band emerged as the crowd’s surprise favorite performer, impressing both audiences and veteran musicians alike. Though some may easily dismiss them as an eccentric and manufactured pop band, the inevitable rise of IV OF SPADES is here and they’ve only just gotten started.
...
ABOUT THE BAND
.“IV of Spades” is a phenomenal and funky Filipino boy band whose members have been influenced by disco, classic rock, and hip-hop. They were formed in 2014 under Warner Music Philippines and founded by Allan “Daddy A” Silonga, father of one of the band members, who is also their manager.
Their known singles are “Hey Barbara”, “Ilaw Sa Daan”, “Mundo”, and “Where have you been, My Disco?”.
The band is composed of these four stylish boys:
Unique Salonga
Unique Torralba Salonga is the main vocalist and guitarist of the group. He was born on April 26, 2000, which makes him the youngest member of the band. He joined IV of Spades at the age of 14. He likes to post solo songs and videos on Social Media. This classy guy’s voice just melts your ears and brings impact to the band’s music!
(photo by: Ezequiel Lumbang)
Zild Benitez
Daniel Zildijan Garon Benitez a.k.a. Zild is the band’s bassist and vocalist. He was born on April 23, 1997. This outstanding lad was also a part of Music Hero along with Blaster, and actually won! I tell you, he is a wonderful bassist and brings their music a great sound.
(photo by Ezequiel Lumbang)
Blaster Silonga
Blaster Mitchelle Medina Silonga is the lead guitarist and is also the son of the group’s manager. He was born on September 30, 1999. This boy is the one who drives the fangirl’s wild with his awesome guitar skills and good looks. He was actually on the “Eat Bulaga” segment Music Hero (specifically guitar hero), along with fellow band member Zild.
(photo by Ezequiel Lumbang)
Badjao De Castro
Last but not the least, we have the group’s outstanding drummer and oldest member, Badjao! Christian Gabriel “Badjao” de Castro was born on July 11, 1994. Even my ears get snatched with his awesome drumming skills; his beat is intense! He is also actually good at playing launchpads whenever they do live sessions on certain stations, since drums can be hard to carry around.
(photo by Ezequiel Lumbang)
(source: scoutmag.ph)
By now, almost everyone in the scene had heard of IV of Spades. Referred to as the youngest band in your uncle’s playlist and one of the biggest bands in “Filipino indie” at the moment, they’ve been making waves. This level of hype was made possible through several factors aiding their music. Their constant live shows, their uniformly retro aesthetic, and several media articles hailing them for being what they are: being a glorified throwback.
I have nothing against the nostalgia-laced sound of IV of Spades. I always find myself enjoying their previous singles, from the suave Ilaw Sa Daan to the irresistible groove of Where Have You Been, My Disco. The band incorporating these into their gigs along with tracks like Hey Barbara and Sentimental showcase their sonic range, which is from straight up disco worship to indie rock staples with a tinge of disco. Limited but enjoyable, arguably a novelty, such is the polarity of a band that heralds the Manila Sound. One personal exception, however, was the live renditions of their then unreleased track Mundo.
Mundo successfully merged all their capabilities into one song. When the muted intro riff plays, the crowd is guaranteed to be livid, in anticipation of an exremely solid hook. The whole song gradually swells to a breaking point, in the form of Blaster’s extended guitar solo. It’s a traditional song structure, one that IV of Spades did justice to. For several months, fans have constantly clamoured for an official studio release of Mundo, to encapsulate the ecstasy in a tangible, replayable format. IV of Spades had smartly teased their fans about the song, even going so far as to reveal that it would be the last song of their album. Mundo itself was enough to properly hype the whole album, and it seemed that the next best move would be to bide their time and release the album, letting the fans get to Mundo in all its glory. Three paragraphs in, and you can deduce that this was not the case.
I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that I often find myself being oh-so sentimental while riding public transport; with my earbuds plugged in, music playing at moderate volume (because we should all be careful with our eardrums and safety is sexy), and I’m immediately transported to MTV-land. Brace yourselves because I would never judge you if you go senti with this song.
What I really like about this song is that there is this moody, nostalgic feeling while listening to it, something akin to listening to early 2000s OPM. I’m an absolute sucker for that. The lyrics are very well-written, original and memorable; its really hard not to identify with the song whether you’re the commuter or you’re the party animal. Accompanied by the no-frills and very unpretentious accompaniment, it made the song feel very, very, mysterious and intimate. The consistent rhythm is undeniably engaging and at times, ominous. And finally, the vocal quality of both singers are very good, their diction is clear, and their falsettos did not feel and sound forced nor awkward.
.....
“Sa totoo lang ayaw namin ma-label na ’70s band. Siguro ’yun talaga ’yung first impression sa amin because of the clothes and the music. It’s very strongly influenced by disco, by our parents’ music,” Zild says. “It’s funny, whenever we read comments on social media, there’d be some old people saying that we’re reviving the Manila sound—VST & Co., Hotdog—disco, basically. We’re happy that we’re making them and their kids dance.”
Outside of their music, what makes IV OF SPADES quite literally stand out from other bands is their commitment to style and branding, as well as each member’s meticulous attention to detail. You’re probably never going to watch a gig of theirs where they aren’t all dressed in a similar fashion. In the age of Instagram and YouTube, music is turning out to be not just a listening experience, but a visual one as well. “We’re not just doing music, we’re also making art. And we’re trying to communicate to people through art. So we want to visualize what they’re hearing. This is what we look like. The way we play our music—this is how you should portray it in your mind. We’re just dictating what we want them to see and feel. And we’re really just experimenting along the way. We’re definitely taking it seriously, but at the same time, we’re being natural about it. Maybe after two years we’d be a different type of band,” elaborates Zild.
(source: scoutmag.ph)
.....
IV OF SPADES - at First City Providential College
photo by: Ezequiel Lumbang)
To wrap this up, I really liked how IV of Spades did their songs. It's like the perfect song to illustrate how the city can welcome you with open arms, and at the same time isolate you where you and your thoughts are in stark contrast with the environment you’re currently in.
IV of Spades is a young band, and I am very excited at what kind of songs they’ll put out this year and in the future. And still, I wouldn’t blame you if you become sentimental/ if you party with their songs. ;)
Click and Listen To Their Songs: (available on Itunes and Spotify)
...
By: Ezequiel Lumbang
Photo source: Ezequiel Lumbang and ScoutMag.ph
Video by: Ezequiel Lumbang
Assisted by: Fritz Harvey Claro
...
Recently, OPM bands and artists have not been appreciated as enthusiastically as before, because of a new generation of music lovers who tended to like western music or K-pop.
Well well, I’ve got good news!
Meet IV of Spades! This band is the hottest topic in the nation right now, and the music they make is impeccable. I could probably call them the heroes of OPM!
Fuck yeah.
In an era where both millennials and Gen Z-ers obsess over vinyl, analog photography, old cartoons, and retro aesthetics, IV OF SPADES couldn’t have entered the game at a better time. Playing at this year’s Scout Music Fest, the band emerged as the crowd’s surprise favorite performer, impressing both audiences and veteran musicians alike. Though some may easily dismiss them as an eccentric and manufactured pop band, the inevitable rise of IV OF SPADES is here and they’ve only just gotten started.
...
ABOUT THE BAND
.“IV of Spades” is a phenomenal and funky Filipino boy band whose members have been influenced by disco, classic rock, and hip-hop. They were formed in 2014 under Warner Music Philippines and founded by Allan “Daddy A” Silonga, father of one of the band members, who is also their manager.
Their known singles are “Hey Barbara”, “Ilaw Sa Daan”, “Mundo”, and “Where have you been, My Disco?”.
The band is composed of these four stylish boys:
Unique Salonga
 |
| Unique Torralba Salonga is the main vocalist and guitarist of the group. He was born on April 26, 2000, which makes him the youngest member of the band. He joined IV of Spades at the age of 14. He likes to post solo songs and videos on Social Media. This classy guy’s voice just melts your ears and brings impact to the band’s music! (photo by: Ezequiel Lumbang) Zild Benitez |
 |
| Daniel Zildijan Garon Benitez a.k.a. Zild is the band’s bassist and vocalist. He was born on April 23, 1997. This outstanding lad was also a part of Music Hero along with Blaster, and actually won! I tell you, he is a wonderful bassist and brings their music a great sound. (photo by Ezequiel Lumbang) Blaster Silonga |
 |
Blaster Mitchelle Medina Silonga is the lead guitarist and is also the son of the group’s manager. He was born on September 30, 1999. This boy is the one who drives the fangirl’s wild with his awesome guitar skills and good looks. He was actually on the “Eat Bulaga” segment Music Hero (specifically guitar hero), along with fellow band member Zild.
(photo by Ezequiel Lumbang)
Badjao De Castro
Last but not the least, we have the group’s outstanding drummer and oldest member, Badjao! Christian Gabriel “Badjao” de Castro was born on July 11, 1994. Even my ears get snatched with his awesome drumming skills; his beat is intense! He is also actually good at playing launchpads whenever they do live sessions on certain stations, since drums can be hard to carry around.
(photo by Ezequiel Lumbang)
(source: scoutmag.ph)
|
By now, almost everyone in the scene had heard of IV of Spades. Referred to as the youngest band in your uncle’s playlist and one of the biggest bands in “Filipino indie” at the moment, they’ve been making waves. This level of hype was made possible through several factors aiding their music. Their constant live shows, their uniformly retro aesthetic, and several media articles hailing them for being what they are: being a glorified throwback.
I have nothing against the nostalgia-laced sound of IV of Spades. I always find myself enjoying their previous singles, from the suave Ilaw Sa Daan to the irresistible groove of Where Have You Been, My Disco. The band incorporating these into their gigs along with tracks like Hey Barbara and Sentimental showcase their sonic range, which is from straight up disco worship to indie rock staples with a tinge of disco. Limited but enjoyable, arguably a novelty, such is the polarity of a band that heralds the Manila Sound. One personal exception, however, was the live renditions of their then unreleased track Mundo.
Mundo successfully merged all their capabilities into one song. When the muted intro riff plays, the crowd is guaranteed to be livid, in anticipation of an exremely solid hook. The whole song gradually swells to a breaking point, in the form of Blaster’s extended guitar solo. It’s a traditional song structure, one that IV of Spades did justice to. For several months, fans have constantly clamoured for an official studio release of Mundo, to encapsulate the ecstasy in a tangible, replayable format. IV of Spades had smartly teased their fans about the song, even going so far as to reveal that it would be the last song of their album. Mundo itself was enough to properly hype the whole album, and it seemed that the next best move would be to bide their time and release the album, letting the fans get to Mundo in all its glory. Three paragraphs in, and you can deduce that this was not the case.
I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that I often find myself being oh-so sentimental while riding public transport; with my earbuds plugged in, music playing at moderate volume (because we should all be careful with our eardrums and safety is sexy), and I’m immediately transported to MTV-land. Brace yourselves because I would never judge you if you go senti with this song.
What I really like about this song is that there is this moody, nostalgic feeling while listening to it, something akin to listening to early 2000s OPM. I’m an absolute sucker for that. The lyrics are very well-written, original and memorable; its really hard not to identify with the song whether you’re the commuter or you’re the party animal. Accompanied by the no-frills and very unpretentious accompaniment, it made the song feel very, very, mysterious and intimate. The consistent rhythm is undeniably engaging and at times, ominous. And finally, the vocal quality of both singers are very good, their diction is clear, and their falsettos did not feel and sound forced nor awkward.
.....
“Sa totoo lang ayaw namin ma-label na ’70s band. Siguro ’yun talaga ’yung first impression sa amin because of the clothes and the music. It’s very strongly influenced by disco, by our parents’ music,” Zild says. “It’s funny, whenever we read comments on social media, there’d be some old people saying that we’re reviving the Manila sound—VST & Co., Hotdog—disco, basically. We’re happy that we’re making them and their kids dance.”
Outside of their music, what makes IV OF SPADES quite literally stand out from other bands is their commitment to style and branding, as well as each member’s meticulous attention to detail. You’re probably never going to watch a gig of theirs where they aren’t all dressed in a similar fashion. In the age of Instagram and YouTube, music is turning out to be not just a listening experience, but a visual one as well. “We’re not just doing music, we’re also making art. And we’re trying to communicate to people through art. So we want to visualize what they’re hearing. This is what we look like. The way we play our music—this is how you should portray it in your mind. We’re just dictating what we want them to see and feel. And we’re really just experimenting along the way. We’re definitely taking it seriously, but at the same time, we’re being natural about it. Maybe after two years we’d be a different type of band,” elaborates Zild.
(source: scoutmag.ph)
.....
IV OF SPADES - at First City Providential College
photo by: Ezequiel Lumbang)
To wrap this up, I really liked how IV of Spades did their songs. It's like the perfect song to illustrate how the city can welcome you with open arms, and at the same time isolate you where you and your thoughts are in stark contrast with the environment you’re currently in.
IV of Spades is a young band, and I am very excited at what kind of songs they’ll put out this year and in the future. And still, I wouldn’t blame you if you become sentimental/ if you party with their songs. ;)
Click and Listen To Their Songs: (available on Itunes and Spotify)
...
By: Ezequiel Lumbang
Photo source: Ezequiel Lumbang and ScoutMag.ph
Video by: Ezequiel Lumbang
Assisted by: Fritz Harvey Claro
...
3 comments
IV OF SPADES!!! AHHHHHHH
ReplyDeletethanks for this review :)
ReplyDeleteang galing! omggggg sml for them!
ReplyDelete