1. 11 Sep


    It was dark and damp. We all knew we’d be here for a while. You see, to say that the weather hadn’t been cooperating is an understatement; shooting a TV commercial in these conditions made for a much more difficult challenge. But the camera crew was persistent to finish the set-up. Just few more takes and it’s done, they said. Everyone seemed to look forward to that. And there he stood, at the center of the shot: Rico Blanco. Calm. Collected. Donning a distinct feather headgear, part “Black Swan”, part Native American. The vocalist nodded at the extras on-set, letting them know that everything would be alright. A kind smirk from him was more than enough to reassure everyone.   A block away from the river scene, the atmosphere seemed just a tad more relaxed.  An abandoned warehouse of sorts was converted to theproduction’s headquarters. Somewhere on the second floor was the holding room,whichwas much quieter than expected considering who were present. In one corner, the boys of Parokya Ni Edgar watchedfunny YouTube clips on their mobiles alongside their cohorts from Kamikazee. On the opposite side, the chaps from Wolfgang gabbed with other members of the group. While the fellows from Urbandub resorted to alternating circuit of naps, chats, Instagram updates and more naps. But everyone was very much wary of the downpour outside.   What was noteworthy was that not one of them felt too concerned or fretful. Every single musician in the room was in good spirits. After all, everyone felt the bands were already used to these kinds of things. Who wouldn’t? - grab the new issue for more of my cover story. 

    It was dark and damp. We all knew we’d be here for a while.

    You see, to say that the weather hadn’t been cooperating is an understatement; shooting a TV commercial in these conditions made for a much more difficult challenge. But the camera crew was persistent to finish the set-up. Just few more takes and it’s done, they said. Everyone seemed to look forward to that. And there he stood, at the center of the shot: Rico Blanco. Calm. Collected. Donning a distinct feather headgear, part “Black Swan”, part Native American. The vocalist nodded at the extras on-set, letting them know that everything would be alright. A kind smirk from him was more than enough to reassure everyone.

     

    A block away from the river scene, the atmosphere seemed just a tad more relaxed.  An abandoned warehouse of sorts was converted to theproduction’s headquarters. Somewhere on the second floor was the holding room,whichwas much quieter than expected considering who were present. In one corner, the boys of Parokya Ni Edgar watchedfunny YouTube clips on their mobiles alongside their cohorts from Kamikazee. On the opposite side, the chaps from Wolfgang gabbed with other members of the group. While the fellows from Urbandub resorted to alternating circuit of naps, chats, Instagram updates and more naps. But everyone was very much wary of the downpour outside.

     

    What was noteworthy was that not one of them felt too concerned or fretful. Every single musician in the room was in good spirits. After all, everyone felt the bands were already used to these kinds of things. Who wouldn’t?


    - grab the new issue for more of my cover story.