Kate Torralba comes home The ‘Long Overdue’ grand Cebu launch

CEBU, Philippines - Top fashion designer-musician Kate Torralba comes home to Cebu to celebrate the launch of her “Long Overdue” debut album released under MCA Music, Inc. (Universal Music Group).

The event, originally slated last Nov. 8th, finally pushes through today at SM Northwing, 6 p.m.  Kate’s album will be available to the Visayan market for the first time tonight.

Kate will be performing with what she playfully calls “The Kate TorralBand composed of renowned musicians from Manila: Sach Castillo of sound on guitars, Mikey Amistoso of Ciudad, and Jay Gapasin of Radioactive Sago Project and Tarsius on drums.

The grand Cebu album launch is brought to you by SM City Cebu, M. Lhuillier Group of Companies, ANSECA Group of Companies, Kenneth Cobonpue, Sonic Boom, ADNAMA Group, Lion-Tiger Brands, A. Salonga Music Center, Manny O. Wines, Hotel Pier Cuatro and Vermedes, Inc. (R&M).

The 11-track album boasts world-class production done in Manila, Paris and Los Angeles, taking nearly five years to complete.  Kate handpicked her collaborators for what she calls “a real labor of love.”

The album was produced by Kate herself and electronica genius Malek Lopez. Some of the tracks were also produced by Todd Hunter of the Dionne Warwick Band, Mikey Amistoso of Ciudad, and Jazz Nicolas of the Itchyworms. It was mastered by multiple Grammy-winning engineer S. Husky Hoskulds, best known for his work on Norah Jones’ debut album “Come Away With Me” and Sheryl Crow’s “Globe Sessions.”

A former classical piano prodigy with an impressive musical history, Kate has performed at venues and festivals across Asia, Europe, and the United States. Preceding the launch of the album was the “Long Overdue” Little European Tour, having audiences in Paris, Berlin and the UK enjoy a sampling of Kate’s original compositions.

Her songwriting and musical talent has gotten the nod from the best music makers in OPM:  Ryan Cayabyab, Gary Valenciano, Jay Durias, Louie Ocampo, Mike Villegas, and more. She is a product of the very first Elements Songwriting Camp in 2010, which hones the talents of the best young singer-songwriters in the Philippines.

“If there is any Filipino musical artist I am truly excited to listen to and give my wholehearted support, it is Kate Torralba. Her songs are true gems, original, Pinoy yet international in flavor,” said music maestro Ryan Cayabyab.

According to Rogue magazine, “Long Overdue is the culmination of all these years and experiences, of a woman who lost her mojo, only to find it by coming home to her first love,” while Raymund Marasigan of Sandwich/Pedicab said the album “reminds me of summer in the province. Warm, laid-back and colorful.”

“Long Overdue is an excellent album from an exceptionally talented woman. Listen and believe,” Jugs Jugueta of Itchyworms expressed.

Kate will also hold a benefit dinner show the day after her album launch at Highlights, Harold’s Hotel on Saturday, Nov. 30, 7 p.m. Show will be the third installment of her hit ‘Request-A-Thon’ series, an all-request show she conceptualized and introduced in Manila.

The mechanics of the show are fairly simple: Audience members send requests to the designer-musician which she improvises in exchange for pledges for typhoon Yolanda survivors.

So far, the series has raised 70,000 pesos for just the first two shows and has been met with rave reviews. The beneficiary for the Cebu show will be GIVE BACK CEBU Foundation.

There will be only 100 tickets available for the exclusive dinner show which includes a special menu designed by Harold’s. Tickets are priced at 700 pesos each. Contact Princess Pilario at (0917)7118811 / 3187438 for reservations.

Kate is currently on tour in Asia to promote her debut album. More tour dates to be announced soon! Follow @katetorralba on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram.  KT’s website is: http://www.katetorralba.com. (FREEMAN)