MANILA, Philippines - Freestyle stays true to its avowed musicality as the band releases its newest album all-original and all-Tagalog Mga Kwentong Kinanta.
Composed, arranged and produced by the band members themselves, the spanking new album even boasts of an artwork that was designed by the band. A true labor of love, Freestyle, indeed moved heaven and earth to make the “indie outing” possible. Suffice it to say, Mga Kwentong Kinanta is OPM at its finest.
Mga Kwentong Kinanta includes songs such as the endearing True Love, the haunting Kulang ang Mga Sandali and the playful Paputol Putol. The band is currently shooting a music video for Paputol-Putol and Freestyle fans will be in for a treat as soon as the music video premieres.
The newest album is Freestyle’s very first to be fronted by young but very talented Ava Santos as vocalist. The band’s line-up also consists of founding member Tat Suzara playing lead guitar, Joshua Desiderio and Mike Luis on keyboards, former Barbie’s Cradle bassist Rommel dela Cruz and drummer Gerald Banzon.
Freestyle has been around since 1996, with some of its members having changed over the years. “Love and respect for the job is the most important denominator. We also share a common intention and desire to be good and professional,” they say on what has kept them “Freestyle” all the years.
Newcomer Ava said of her being part of the band: “Freestyle has been in the business for almost 18 years now and I hope to stay with them for many, many, many more years.
“I hope to influence and inspire the present generation with the kind of music we create, and make a substantial contribution to the OPM industry.”
The band has toured both locally and abroad in the past, but today they are focusing on spreading Original Pinoy Music to its primary audience — the Pinoys, of course. Freestyle will perform at 19East every Tuesday of the month; 12 Monkeys tomorrow, Sept. 24; Hard Rock Café, Sept. 26; and KPub, Sept. 27.
Freestyle will also be doing album promotions on Oct. 4 in Baliwag and Oct. 5, SM City Calamba.
Mga Kwentong Kinanta is now available on iTunes, Lazer Music Stores and SM Department record bars, and is also available for shipping. The album will also be sold at all their gigs.