What Rico means by ‘back to basics’

It’s been two years since Rico Blanco released an album called Fiestamatic. Having recently signed up with Universal Records (UR), he said that he was leaving “the fiestamatic sound” and going “back to basics” (which he explained in the later part of the following Q&A).

“It’s an honor to be part of this very prestigious family,” Rico said about joining UR, “well-known for giving the Pinoy music fans quality music over the years. Being a part of it now is a great honor for me.”

So you are releasing a new album soon?

“Yes. The whole point of singing with Universal is to release a new album. I haven’t released a full album in a couple of years now. I’ve been releasing singles but I feel that it’s time…that’s why I’m here!”

Will you be working with other musicians?

“Yeah, my friends Raymund Marasigan and Buddy Zabala will be part of two or more songs, and also Roll Martinez of Hale. They’re going to be my bandmates for the entire album. Kasi dati, for Fiestamatic ako lang mag-isa or iba-ibang musicians ang kasama ko. Kasi that was my first time to do a solo album. For so many years, isa lang banda ko… yung Rivermaya. So nung nag-first album ako, sinubukan ko lang na iba-ibang musicians per song.

“But for this album that I’m working on now, I think I’m gonna stick to that. I got Roll, Raymund and Buddy as bandmates for all the songs as much as possible. Or maybe up-and-coming musicians will also be my guests.”

Could you tell us your writing process for this album?

“I just decided one day to write as many songs in the shortest amount of time… to write one song per day. So for a couple of weeks, I already have the materials I need for the new album. But since then, I replaced the songs with some new ones. But I try to not spend too much time and just really capture where I am, whatever comes to mind. Whatever topic comes to mind, that’s what I’m gonna write about. I guess it’s the least contrive of all my albums in terms of topics for songs.

“Parang, I just get the guitar every day and play a couple of chords whatever come along. And I just think of the first thing that comes to mind and what it’s gonna be about. I didn’t have to be in that situation, to be sad or happy. So it’s not very autobiographical but bunch of songs that’s more about feelings and stream of consciousness.”

How many tracks?

“Well, I will see. Anywhere from eight to 12 tracks. As soon as the story is whole, that’s when I decide.”

Is there a song to be released digitally?

Rico with (from left) Universal Records GM Kathleen Dy-Go and operations manager Peter Chan

 

“I think all of the songs will be released digitally. It’s up to the label how they want to release the tracks.”

What can you say about the trend that artists are releasing digital copies first before the physical copy?

“For a couple of years, I’ve been releasing stuff straight to digital. And that’s great. You can just put stuff out there immediately. Sometimes, a couple of days after I finished recording the song, it’s out there. So that’s great. But there’s still a need for physicial distribution. Online, the penetration is not that high. So marami pa tayong kababayan na hindi pa naabot ng digital.”

You recently had a collaboration with Parokya ni Edgar, titled Sing. Can you tell us about that?

“Yun ‘yung usapan namin na gagawa kami ng kanta. I saw one of the boys and I also saw they’ve posted that they’re working on their album. Then, ‘Hey, let’s do that song already!’ It turned out that they were working on a song already. Tapos gusto nila ilagay ko ‘yung input ko dun para maging totoong collaboration siya. Di siya ‘yung parang featuring lang. So talagang nag-jamming kami tapos nilagyan ko rin ng input ko na sinulat ni Gab. Sinulat ni Gabby ‘yung kanta, tapos jinaming namin na wala siya.”

Recently, Chito (of Parokya) posted a photo about Kamikazee’s last gig. What can you say about it?

“I think may gigs pa sila pero last bar gig yata. I wish them the best of luck sa kung ano ang gagawin nila. Mahaba pa ang buhay, marami pang puwedeng gawin ang bawat isa sa kanila. Everyone has to remember that individuals in bands are more than just members of that band. They’re bigger than that and there’s a lot more they can do individually.”

It’s been a while since you’ve been last seen on TV series. Any plans?

“Well, I’m open to it but I think I really have to focus on this album now so kung may TV series na offer puwede nang pag-aralan. Pero ‘yung schedule lang dapat mag-focus lang sa album.”

‘Yung KISPINOY was put on hold daw. What was your reaction?

“Ako, I don’t know what’s gonna happen there but I found some really great talent there and I really wanna work with them no matter what happens to the show.”

By the way, what do you really mean by “back to basics”? Please elaborate.

“You have a guitar, you have drums. It’s gonna be a basic rock and roll album. No frills. Just good songs. Opposite siya ng Fiestamatic, kasi I was trying to reinvent how I did recordings, kasi there was not a single guitar in the album. Maybe this time, it will be just all guitars. Not sure, if there’s gonna be synthesizers here or keyboards. It’s going to be an all-Filipino album. I did that already before, ‘yung Tuloy ang Ligaya, Umaaraw Umuulan, I like doing that.”

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