Outerhope and the Brooklyn dream

MANILA, Philippines - We’re very excited about it,” admits Micaela Benedicto, one half of local indie pop act Outerhope. “We’ve always dreamed about playing in New York and the NYC Popfest is really a dream festival for us.”

And truly, it really isn’t every day we get to see anyone from our local indie scene scale those heights — those New York heights. And it’s almost fitting how the name Outerhope brings to mind, well, the hope that is out there for anyone unsigned.

“We’re slated to play May 19 at Spike Hill in Brooklyn, and on May 21 at The Rock Shop, also in Brooklyn,” says Micaela (synth/piano/vocals), who, along with her brother Michael (guitar/harp/vocals), are planning to do a take-away show in a yet-to-be-specified ice cream place. “If it pans out we’ll include it in our DVD,” adds Micaela. Recently, it’s been revealed that Outerhope has just been invited to play at the SF Popfest on May 27 as well.

Luis Santos’s contribution to the show

But first gigs first. Now that the festival is fast approaching, friends of the duet have been kind enough to organize a few fundraisers to help them with traveling expenses. “We also put up a page on Artiste Connect (artisteconnect.com),” says Micaela, “It’s where we accept pledges and give some rarities in return, like a limited edition physical copy of our upcoming EP, a lyric book with commentaries, a CD of rare and early tracks, and a DVD of band footage.”

Formed in 2004, Outerhope experimented before narrowing down to their signature soft synth-aided vocals. Lyrically, the siblings seem to know their imagery. “We’ve been writing about things like lost youth and imagined places,” says Micaela. “Or, people we know who have been through things both extraordinary and mundane, or places and people we don’t see anymore, that kind of stuff.”   

Tonight, April 20, should be a timely way to start, if not continue, supporting Outerhope and their dreams because who knows, it just might pave the way for more indie acts to play abroad. Outerhope will perform live at Blanc Gallery Shaw along with Slow Hello and Tarsius from Number Line Records, and Your Imaginary Friends from Lilystar Records.

Zeus Bascon’s “Stellar”

It’s also a one-night art show, featuring works by Zeus Bascon, Zean Cabangis, Mariano Ching, Lena Cobangbang, Ernest Concepcion, Dex Fernandez, Carina Santos, Luis Antonio Santos, Yasmin Sison, MM Yu, and Tof Zapanta. “These artists are people we have gotten to know in the last few years and whose works we love,” admits Micaela, who appreciates the constant support. “All of them were generous enough to donate a percentage of their sales to our cause. I suppose it’ll really just be a fun party in a nice gallery where people can listen to good music and look at great art at the same time.”

* * *

Blanc Gallery Shaw is located at 359 Shaw Blvd, Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City.

Zeus Bascon’s “Dark Plains”