The music never stops

Acoustic duo M.Y.M.P. is currently enjoying an all time high – recording to success in a time of piracy and Internet downloading. "It’s really amazing," says vocalist Juris Fernandez. "I never thought I would be able to make a living out of singing."

"I never expected that our debut song would be a chartbuster," guitarist Chin Alcantara says. "I thought A Little Bit would just be a minor hit."

Still, the song and the album (Soulful Acoustic) exceeded their humble expectations. "It even went platinum," Chin gasps in shock.

The first time they heard A Little Bit on the radio, on Jam 88.3, they were ecstatic, quite naturally. "We were surprised," Juris exclaims.

"We already knew that the radio station had a copy and that they would be playing it," Chin recalls. "We just didn’t know when." So when it was finally played in the airwaves, Chin ("who was at home") and Juris ("who was in the car"), started calling all their friends, out of sheer excitement and utter joy.

Slowly but surely the song had a snowball effect that grew into a musical avalanche that swept radio listeners off their feet. "It was gradual," Chin looks back "At first, there was only one person in the audience who knew our song. Then, there were two. And before we knew it, the entire would be singing along with us from start to finish."

The song had a life of its own.

A Little Bit is now even much-requested as a ring tone and ring back on cellphones. M.Y.M.P.’s acoustic hit eventually crossed over to pop stations and even cinched the People’s Choice Song of the Year trophy at the last Awit Awards. M.Y.M.P. also romped off with the S.O.P. Favorite Acoustic Group honor.

Because of their seemingly unstoppable momentum, M.Y.M.P. launched not just one, not just two, but three titles as follow-up: Beyond Acoustic, Versions and Versions and Beyond. The last one is a double CD that combines the tracks on Beyond Acoustic and Versions.

Beyond Acoustic, Chin explains, gives us a cursory look at the continuing evolution of the M.Y.M.P. sound. "Our sound is evolving," Chin points out. "For this album, we added instruments. Aside from the acoustic guitar, we now also have bass, drums, and electric guitar." They were given total creative freedom on their sophomore outing.

In Beyond Acoustic, Juris’s favorite is Magical Feeling. "That’s one of our originals," Juris affirms.

"That’s also one of my favorites," Chin says. "But I also like Jam."

Versions, on the other hand, was conceptualized as a "special thank you" to all their fans who have been following them in their different gigs all over the metropolis (Baga Berde, Tapika, and Tavern on the Square). "We are dedicating this album to all those who have been supporting us even way before we had our first album, even before we signed up with our record label (Ivory)," Juris elaborates.

"These are the songs they would often request in our live gigs," Chin confirms. "We just thought they might want an entire CD of revivals, so that they could listen to their favorites at home."

Among the covers, Constantly and Whenever, Wherever, Whatever are Juris’s personal picks. "Vanessa Williams was the original artist behind Constantly," Juris relates. "Maxwell was the one who recorded Whenever, Wherever, Whatever."

Chin, for his part, considers No Other Love his all-time fave. "It was previously recorded by Jennifer Love-Hewitt," he quips.

As part of their whirlwind promo tour for the two CDs, as well as the double CD combo, M.Y.M.P. is hitting the road once again. By the end of April, M.Y.M.P. will be visiting Iloilo tomorrow, Cagayan de Oro (April 24), and Isabela (April 28). They also have a series of mall shows, on top of their regular gigs in the metro’s hottest nightspots (like 19 East, Tapika, Party Central and Baga Berde).

Because they have been consistently gathering SRO crowds to their different concerts both in the capital city and in the provinces, their handlers in Ivory are considering a major concert in Manila by October. "Hopefully at the Music Museum. Maybe we can also come up with a live album of that concert. Or maybe a concept album of our collaborations with other artists," Juris says.

Who are the artists they want to collaborate with?

As usual, Juris and Chin see eye to eye on this one. "Jay Durias and South Border," Chin and Juris chorus.

"Or maybe Eric Clapton and Sting," Chin jokes.

Why not, indeed?

After the phenomenal triumph of the small ditty A Little Bit, M.Y.M.P. can very well afford to dream big.

(See related story in Baby Gil’s Sounds Familiar)