With cup in hand, 'puwede kang sumikat'

A little rain will never stop the power of rocking out. Not even big rain, for that matter. With a low-pressure area taking a side trip through the country, last weekend the island of Boracay in Aklan experienced, in so many words, some pretty heavy rains. Typhoon “Quinta” opened up the skies at the beach and kicked up the usually calm waters. No biggie, though. Strong winds and a heavy deluge will never extinguish the flame of rocking.

Boracay was host to the four-day mentoring workshop of Nescafe’s annual band competition, the “Nescafe Soundskool.” At this point in the contest, 13 bands have been selected from a pool of over 1,000 entries nationwide; all have qualified for the finals, and all are gunning for the top spot.

The mentorship program is one of the things that sets Nescafe Soundskool apart from other band competitions. On hand to give the competing bands tips on how to make it as successful stars are members from the music industry — record label directors, artist & repertoire representatives, top managers, and the like. Soundskool also gets top OPM bands to have one-on-one sessions with the competing bands, sharing tips on how to be better musicians and performers. This year’s mentors include Sandwich, Sugarfree, Pupil, Pedicab, Jr. Kilat, Urbanddub, Up Dharma Down, 6Cyclemind, Cueshe, Callalily, ChicoSci, Itchyworms and Spongecola, whom the 13 finalists will also get the rare opportunity to perform with on finals night.

“The Nescafe Soundskool workshop program is a chance in a lifetime opportunity for our young musicians to meet as well as learn from the members of the best bands in the country,” explains Nescafe marketing and promotions manager Eileen Rose Bangcoro. She adds, “We are giving the finalists both the chance to be discovered and hone their skills and artistry as well.”

Vic Valenciano, executive at Sony BMG, says: “These kids are very lucky to be participating in this mentorship program. It’s not easy making it in the industry and workshops like these provide them with knowledge about what they are getting into.”

The general tone of the mentorship program, from the perspective of the mentor bands, was that when making music it has to be true; at the risk of cliché, it has to come from the heart. A little street smarts and being savvy can go a long way, but taking it from the heart will definitely go much further. Mike Dizon of Sandwich, when giving a talk to the drummers of the competing bands summed it up. In the vernacular he said, “When you play from within, people can see it. Your band, too, will see and feel it. You guys will play together, tighter; the crowd will appreciate it more, you will have a really good sound.” 

Take it from these guys — pop stars, rock stars, or whatever; they’re passing along the knowledge of how it is to be part of the industry. These are golden nuggets of information for those considering a rock/pop star dream.

“Handa ka na bang sumikat?” (Are you ready to be famous?) The winner of this year’s Nescafe Soundskool will realize the dream of many young and upcoming acts. They will be that much closer to fame and other things like it. And they will have their mentor bands to thank for much of it. They have been supplied with information needed to make it successful in such a busy industry.

Boracay must have taught those guys a lesson, though; one of the most important ones in the business, actually. It’s that whether rain or shine, you still have to put on a good show. And “Quinta” didn’t stop any of the 13 finalists, or the mentor bands that performed, from demonstrating what it is to really rock out.

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Nescafe Soundskool 2008 is endorsed by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and is also brought to you by Penshoppe, Island Cove Hotel and Leisure Park, La Carmela de Boracay Resort Hotel, Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel, Tommy Hilfiger Eyewear, L’Oreal Paris Studio Line, Maybelline, Boracay Scuba and Bounce Magazine.

All the finalists received free star makeovers courtesy of L’Oreal Paris, Maybelline Studio Line and Penshoppe.

The grand winner of the NESCAFE Soundskool 2008 will receive P250,000 in cash, P150,000 worth of band equipment for their school, and a record label deal from Sony BMG.

The Finals Night is tomorrow at the Ultra, with performances from the mentor bands as well as special appearances by Bamboo, Kamikazee, and Parokya ni Edgar.

To learn more about these bands journey to fame, visit http://www.nescafe3in1.com.ph.

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For comments, e-mail me at enricomiguelsubido@yahoo.com.