SB19 is ready for the ‘Simula’ of their global stage moment

MANILA, Philippines — NO DOUBT that SB19’s talent deserves to be on the global stage.

After the release of their newest album, “Wakas at Simula,” yesterday, P-pop Kings SB19 — made up of Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken and Justin — are ready to start a new chapter: conquering the international stage.

The group is set to make history as the first Filipino act to perform at “Lollapalooza,” one of the biggest and most famous music festivals in the world, which is happening in Chicago this year.

“Matagal na namin bini-build at i-ne-establish ‘yung identity namin kasi inaano (being labeled) nila kami na copycats kami (We’ve long been building and establishing our identity because we’re being labeled as copycats). From the very beginning, we are aiming for the global stage. I think now is the best time to step out of our comfort zone,” Ken stressed during an exclusive presscon early this week to drumbeat the arrival of “Wakas at Simula.”

“We’re not afraid of anything. We’re more confident (now) when it comes to presenting Filipino talent and P-pop,” Josh echoed.

Stell added, “It’s perfect timing that somehow will cement what we’ve achieved in our lifetime.”

Besides the “Lollapalooza,” Pablo teased other career milestones to expect from the quintet. “We can’t wait to share with you guys kung ano ‘yung nakahanda for us. Because with us now, it’s more intense, we have more creative freedom, we are bolder in terms of exploring the kind of music we create.

“And mas tina-target po talaga namin ‘yung going global so as to showcase what Filipinos have,” the group leader added. “So, I’m just so happy na itong mga opportunities na ganito dumarating.”

Pablo further said that the album is the “celebration for everything that we have achieved together,” adding, “the reason we released this (latest) album is for this (new) chapter.”

“Wakas at Simula” also marks another first as it features collaborations with international artists like Queen of C-Pop Jolin on their song Emoji, and Japanese group BE:FIRST on the dance-pop track Toyfriend.

As one of the album’s producers, Ken said that it was a breakthrough to work with such global artists.

SB19 makes history as the first all-Filipino group to perform at the ‘Lollapalooza’ music festival in Chicago this year.

“This one is very different kasi ‘yung mga naka-collab namin before are mostly Filipino artists. But this time, they are international artists,” he said.

Expounding on the recording experience, he continued, “We know that artists are very complex with their artistry, their craft. They are very specific sa ano ‘yung magiging sound, directions nila because we have to consider their branding, their vision. So, there are struggles but, you know, (the process) was smooth. As an artist, kailangan mo i-push ‘yung sarili mo para makuha ‘yung pinaka-perfect na result.”

For Justin, he described SB19 as “more confident” in their career path after eight years of working together.

“(After) eight years in the industry, eight years of making music, performing, right now, we are more confident. Parang hindi na kami walking on tiptoes. May assurance na kami sa mga sarili namin sa gusto naming gawin — ito ‘yung gusto naming i-try, ito ‘yung gusto naming ipakita… Mas meron kaming power... We’re more confident in the things that we want to do,” he said.

This shows in their album. “The entire concept of the album, it’s about the celebration of our journey. Hindi naman siya bago, but it’s something that they’re familiar with... kasi mas masarap ‘yung bagay kapag inaalala mo, may nostalgia ka na. It’s something that reflects in our whole journey,” Pablo noted, echoing Ken’s remarks that they have creative freedom now to experiment and explore in their music.

For one, their music has taken on new sounds and genres.

“Range pop na prino-duce ni Ken. That’s the most unexpected. It’s gonna be our first time doing it as a group. (Also) Brazilian folk,” said Josh.

“And we’ll be exploring more mature music when it comes to production, pagdating sa lenses na sasali dito sa circle namin,” Pablo further noted.

The five-member group also looked back on how their respective careers as solo artists helped them in creating the album.

Stell was quick to recall the learnings he acquired while pursuing his own musical career while still being very present as a member of the group.

“What we’ve really learned is ‘yung lakas ng bawat isa na ‘pag pinagsama namin is something great and bigger than us talaga. Kasi kahit naman ako, personally, kahit sabihin ko na kaya kong bumanter sa mga tao, kaya kong maging ako, maging makwela, pero hinahanap ko pa rin ‘yung energy nila, hinahanap ko pa rin ‘yung sila nakasama ko,” Stell explained.

“Hindi sa nasanay ako with them growing as an artist. It’s more of — kailangan ko ‘yung ‘kami’ para mag-work pa rin ako alone. Because even when we are on stage, we have our solo parts. Parang kailangan ko sila, kasi sinu-support nila ako sa part ko, for me to shine,” he added.

Stell also noted that their individual experiences contributed to the creative process of building the “Wakas at Simula” album.

“Going solo is something na way lang para mahanap namin or ma-discover namin ‘yung strength ng bawat isa. And to be able to capture kung ano talaga ‘yung hinahanap ng sarili namin dun sa solo journey namin,” he said.

According to Stell, each member of SB19 gained new skills, insights and perspectives while working independently. And when they reunited for the making of the album, they brought all those learnings together.

“Isa sa nagpaganda rin ng solos namin is ‘yung mga nalaman din namin through our journey alone na nasama namin nung nagsama-sama na kami in creating this album.

“Everyone had a contribution — my experience, this one’s experience, that one’s. It’s not only our perspective as a team that went (into the album), but also the perspectives outside SB19 and outside ourselves. So, ‘yun po ‘yung magandang natutunan namin from our solo careers,” he said.

SB19’s “Wakas at Simula” consists of a total of 24 new and old songs, including Memories, Toyfriend, Emoji and Wakas, and new versions of hit songs Mapa, Gento and Bazinga, to name a few. Released under Sony Music, the album is now available on audio streaming platforms.