Bel Sayson: Blazing a trail

The following interview was conducted by Joseph R. Atilano, an authority on popular music.

A multi-faceted man. He knows the ins and outs of the business side of music. He has worked and shared the stage with important and new musicians. Upon reviewing and learning the numerous titles he has under his belt, Bel Sayson becomes an important music figure. You really can’t pin down Bel Sayson to just one profession or job title. I consider him a trail blazer! For a man who has given back to music what he loves and how he continues to make things happen in the local scene . . . that involves having Passion and passion is a strong word that sometimes can be easily thrown around, but I can’t think of a better word to ascribe to this man and to everything he has accomplished and pioneered in. And all of his endeavors have to do with music. I believe he is somebody whom all fans should get to know. Information like this is meant to shed light on important music figures, forgotten greats, and musicians on the rise. He is in the category of an important music figure. Here are the accomplishments and pioneering projects of Bel Sayson thus far:

• Bel got his first break as product manager for the guitar lines in Yupangco (Yamaha and Perfect Pitch Stores) when he was 22, the youngest in the position.

• He was the first Filipino to join the Fender International training in Corona, California back in the ’90s.

• He has held numerous international artist clinics in the Philippines for such artists as guitarists Nuno Bettencourt, Micheal Angelo, John Myung, Gary Hoey, drummer Akira Jimbo, among others.

• He moved to JB Music after 10 years. He started the local music gear endorsements of such artists’ as Pepe Smith, Jun Lopito, Chickoy Pura, The Dawn, Urbandub, Bamboo, Rivermaya, Julianne, among others. Because of that, other companies followed suit with endorsements of other Filipino artists.

• Co-founded 6Underground (with such partners as Ryan Agoncillo), the alternative rock bar in Makati back in 2006. It was the contemporary of Saguijo. Its main purpose was to champion Filipino original music; it released two original live compilation albums under Warner Music Philippines. It was (and still is) the only bar that has released live album compilations.

• In 2007, acting as producer and creative director, 6Underground was the first and so far the only rock bar that has a TV special with a 4-part episode on Studio23 (Sunday nights at 11 p.m.). These shows featured artists playing at 6UG.

• Aside from the above, 6Underground (or 6Ug as it was famously called) also played host to a number of memorable events such as the reunion of Rizal Underground and Kapatid; the benefit shows for Karl Roy; gig of international bands as Interlace and Love Me Butch, Etc.

• In the same year, the “6Underground Live and Raw” radio show started in NU107 with Bel as host together with Pulp Editor-In-Chief Joey Dizon. The Live & Raw show was the first of its kind as an unscripted live radio that featured raw original performances and in-your-face interviews of famous and rising stars alike. Some of its guests were Rico Blanco, Chicosci, Greyhoundz, Slapshock, Up Dharma Down, Urbandub, Kjwan, Mayonnaise, Bamboo, 6CycleMind, BadBurn, Skychurch, among many others. It was one of the last remaining shows until NU107’s untimely demise in 2010.

• Bel has also been one of the regular Grand Finals judges in the yearly Red Horse Beer Muziklaban for 6 straight years that produced such new artists as Even, Gayuma, and Light of Luna.

• In 2008, Bel was invited to have his own regular column in Pulp Magazine entitled “Bel’s World”, discussing various topics from Filipino alternative artists, rock events, tips to aspiring musicians and entrepreneurs, and promotion of individual and independent group artists.

• In 2009, he formed the band Ozawa as guitarist with fellow veterans Rommel dela Cruz (Barbie’s Cradle and Freestyle) on bass, Otep Concepcion (Francis M, session) on drums, and Ozawa Lauran as singer. They released an independent self-titled album under Ternon Recording’s Toti Dalmacion.

• In 2010, Bel started hosting the Bel & Joey Show, an online live streaming show on Pinoytuner.com. It continues to promote Filipino independent artists and events.

• Bel Sayson now heads the young yet aggressive music and audio retail chain, The Music Source, the most liked Philippine music store online. He also founded the Stagg Awards, an annual awards show that brings recognition to today’s most respect and liked individual musicians and artists. It is now on its 3rd year and continues to be the new forerunner in giving honor to deserving Filipino players.

Q&A with Bel Sayson

Q, What is a nagging and seemingly impossible dream that you still hope to attain?

A. I’m still young but I don’t have much personal dream that I want to achieve. For someone who was already very happy playing backup guitar in a folk house in Cubao when I was 18, I have achieved enough. People may laugh but I would like for the Philippines to be fast Wi-Fi country with easier access to Customs importation. With a fast universal online access like Hong Kong or South Korea, more mobile browsers will have easier access to a number of what Filipino musicians can dedicatedly offer online. This will also evolve into the more cohesive online sales not only of music but hardware that creates music like guitars, keyboards etc. You will then find it easier to order online and have it shipped to you with little Customs hassle in a few days. I seems that it’s taking forever for this to happen for the Philippine market. If this is realized, more sales will materialize for original music and music gear combined.

Q. Having dealt with new talents, how do you motivate and encourage them to carry on?

A. I just explain to them what they have to do first for the love of music. With many present music woes, it would be pretty hard for any new Filipino musician to earn very good money entirely from music in this country. The current system dictates a “winner take all” structure where only the most well-connected and marketable gets the big slice of the exposure and budget pie. If they are not part of those, they will easily be discouraged. But if your efforts stem from your love of creating and playing your own music, attaining this goal is more realistic and gratifying in the long run.

Q. Name three foreign musicians you wish to perform with on stage and why?

A. Wow, I have to say guitarist Eric Johnson is on top of my list. I have met a number of international musicians but I have yet to meet this old idol of mine. The others would be Paul McCartney and U2, of course.

Q. Having been a regular Grand Finals judge in the “Muziklaban”, what are those intangibles you can quickly spot?

A. It is easy for any band to be heavy. Just plug a metal distortion and hit a power chord. But today’s young bands leave much to be desired as far as being dynamic goes. A dynamic band knows when to stress a passage; calm down and let a particular word or section stand out; or burst into a crescendo. You can only learn that through actual playing.

Q. Thus far, who is the most unforgettable music personality you have encountered? Why?

A. I have met virtuosos like Steve Vai, Billy Sheehan, Dave Weckl, among many others. But the most unforgettable of them all was Slash. Not because of any skill he had. In fact, he was drunk when we met. It was his larger-than-life persona that will captivate you. You will be awed once he is in front of you, a true rockstar. His first words to me were, “You like Jack?”

Q. If you could turn back the hands of time and bring back an artist in his prime, who would that be? Why?

A. Jimi Hendrix! ‘Nuff said.

Q. When people you know say your name, what do you wish their thoughts are of you?

A. That I’m a happy human being. That’s all.