Jay-R’s full support for niece’s band

MANILA, Philippines - Jay-R is leaving no stone unturned to support the career of his singing niece Deejay Poblete. The young woman is fronting a band called Kley which recently promoted the video of its already second single Hintayin.

The band released its self-titled debut album under Homeworkz Entertainment Services which Jay-R runs. It is behind the hit song Tsismosa; its accompanying video a staple on the MYX charts for months.

“I wanted them to look fresh, young and still rockish,” Jay-R said of Kley. “They’re a pop-rock band but some of the other songs are a mix of ballad rock and jazz.”

Deejay, in duet with Jay-R, sang a Philpop finalist entry last year called Dulo Ng Dila, incidentally a composition of Kley’s chief songwriter and rhythm guitarist Noah Zuñiga. She was tapped to join this year’s batch of Elements Singing-Songwriting camp (headed by Ryan Cayabyab) after she passed the audition.  

The frontwoman did co-write a track with Noah on their album called Family and which was performed with Jay-R.

Asked if he finds it odd to be guiding a band with a sound outside of his comfort zone, the face of local R&B explained, “Yes, I have to have a different set of ears. But ultimately, I rely on my first instinct and that means I still rely on music that I like. If there’s a song of Kley that I don’t like, I’m honest with them and we try to meet halfway.”

Kley is circling around the local gig scene, having toured Padis and Cowboy Grill outlets. Their music is said to be “getting a lot of love” in Guam and in the US.

Deejay expressed on the band’s album sleeve, “Tito Jay-R, thanks for all the support and for always guiding me during this long journey.”

Other interesting tunes in Kley’s introductory CD are the opening piece Bulung-bulungan, Kumot and Kami Lang Ang Meron Nyan, which features rapper Gloc 9.  

For its response to the country’s current scenario, Kley leads the pack of indie musicians featured in a four-volume, digital-release compilation of original songs initiated as a move to help victims of the Yolanda calamity. The album track Maayos Din Ang Lahat is part of Bangon Pilipinas Volume 1.

Nolit Abanilla, president of IndiePinoy which compiled the songs, noted, “All the artists have pledged to donate their royalties and talent fees for this project to help rehabilitate communities affected by the Supertyphoon Yolanda, particularly in Samar, Leyte, Cebu, Iloilo and Palawan.”

Bangon Pilipinas songs can be downloaded through webstores www.mymusicstore.com.ph and www.opm2go.com.

(Note: The author also song-writes and plays bass for the band Syato which is also included in Bangon Pilipinas Vol. 1 via the song Alay, co-performed with rapper Blanktape.)