By Aaron Gonzales
Turning My Safety Off and Akin Ka have etched Sinosikat?'s name in the list of Philippine soul greats. Globe seeks to find out how the group's second album, appropriately titled 2nd Album, will reaffirm their neo-soul pioneer status.
2nd Album' will encapsulate Sinosikat?’s signature style but with an upgraded twist. “With the second album, there is a lot more maturity”, says lead guitarist, Nick Azarcon. “It comes with being together for so many years now. When we first started, it was just the three of us ( Kat, Nick, and Reli). With this album, we've got David Starck on keyboards and Philippe Arreolo on bass.”
“There are a lot more elements to the songs”, continues Azarcon.
“This album is also on a different level. I introduced some chords that he [Nick Azarcon] wasn't used to”, Starck says jokingly. The group frequently digresses from the interview to shoot playful insults at each other and joke about past experiences. All jokes aside, it is indeed the simplicity of the album's title and the group's raw enthusiasm that ensures fans can expect another classic Sinosikat album in its truest sense.
He jokes, “The title of the album makes you think on many different levels”.
“We wanted to include a lot of feelings about it...it's very deep”, laughs Nick .
Lead singer Kat Agarrado pipes in, “Yes, and it was very important that it was spelled with 2 -n-d”.
Consequently, there exists a level of longevity in the group's music. The group, again, digresses into a frenzy of laughter. The chemistry between the members of Sinosikat? is something to be admired. Despite the recent addition of keyboardist, David Starck and bass player, Philippe Arreolo, Sinosikat still projects a level of camaraderie and unity, most commonly seen in groups that have been together for years. Their carefree behavior with each other is what makes the image of this group so genuine. In fact, being real and genuine are what makes the band so different from the rest.
“We became friends because of the music”, says Kat. “I actually met David [Starck] at a 2008 jazz festival and then Reli told me once that his dream basest was Philippe Arreolo. We contacted Philippe and thankfully he said yes”. Each member contributes their unique style and talent to create the band's complete sound. The varied musical backgrounds of the members come together to create a harmonious fusion of jazz, funk, soul, and rock.
Sinosikat?'s debut album earned the group numerous awards. In 2007, lead singer Kat Agarrado won the NU 107 Rock Award for Vocalist of the Year. Additionally, last year, the band earned three titles at the Awit Awards for Best World/Alternative Music for Turning My Safety Off, Best Jazz Recording for Akin Ka, and People’s Choice for Favorite Group for So Blue.
Unlike most underground sensations, Sinosikat's climb to mainstream success has not tarnished the loyalty of their original indie fans. “One thing that is great about our fans from before we became famous, is that they are still here enjoying our music and supporting us. When your sincere and honest about your music, the fans can feel it. Even if we're mainstream now, it's still our music. It's who we are,”Kat says passionately.
Nick shares, “All the fans from before are still around and we're hoping to reach a wider audience with the first album, which we did, and we're hoping to reach even wider audience with this next album”. Kat agrees, “Exactly, that's why we make an album. We want to reach out to people that are both outside and inside the country with our music”.
Their name by no means sounds foreign when mentioned with the likes of Out of Body Special, Eraserheads, or Bamboo, and yet there exists a level of indie-garage-band aura about the group. The group thrives on their ability to be easy to relate to their fans. It has been such distinction that has enabled Sinosikat?'s music to span across so many genres.
It is no question that Sinosikat? plans to deliver another smash hit with 2nd Album. Fans can expect the same mix of jazz, soul, funk, and rock that helped define the band just two years ago. While success is surely on the horizon for the group's second effort, the band has an important message to the fans, "Please buy the original album. It's important that we support local artists. We hope that the fans will continue to support us. The album is for the people. We are very humbled by the love and support of our fans", Kat says.
Fans can keep up with Sinosikat? and all of their latest projects at their official website, www.sinosikat.com.
Behind the By—line
Aaron Gonzales is our new resident blogger on Go! Mag. He works as a freelance writer for online campaigns and websites. Read his blog Fil.I.Am,on Go!