Bring on the night: Sundown Muse

The big debate of musical "elitism" still rages on. I’m not one to judge, but lately one can’t help but notice the proliferation of "boy bands" armed with three chords, a tiresome verse, bridge, chorus, verse progression and "juvenile" lyrics. The question is, "Why doesn’t groovy and sophisticated music find its way into the airwaves?"

True, it all boils down to a matter of taste on the part of the listener, but despite the difficulties of reaching out to an audience that is partial to what is played on the radio, bands that have an original sound and non-clichéd lyrics still press on. If it wasn’t for SinoSikat?, Wunjo, Paramita, Cosmic Love, Kapatid, Pinoy Stories and many other "well kept secrets" the scene wouldn’t be as vibrant.

Adding even more color to this already psychedelic picture is Sundown Muse. Their gigs are quite rare since their jobs take up most of their time, but music is their passion come nightfall, their "muse" so to speak.

Drummer Ryan "Balot" Villamayor is already married but still finds the time to gig. "It is hard," he says. "Its a good thing that we don’t gig that much, pero when we gig it does take time away from the family and work and the kids. I’m so fortunate to have a wife that understands and supports me. She loves music as well! I wish I could bring my two kids along when they grow up. I’m really looking forward to that." His wife smiles after the remark and true enough, she was right at the front of the stage, swaying to the music during a laid back evening at Simmer Down along Katipunan.

Describing Sundown’s sound is difficult really. Boxing them into a certain genre would not do their music justice. For the sake of description though think Everything But The Girl meets The Police meets something progressive, but with the Sundown twist of soaring arrangements, grooving bass lines, and lyrics that actually make you think.

Vocalist and guitarist Briggs Bartugo has a few gripes about the difficulty of making a connection with certain audiences though. "It is always a struggle for non-mainstream music to get out there. And the crowd now, I just want them to get the vibe, man! Lets face it, bars would rather book the ‘boy bands,’" she laughs. "It all boils down to a lack of education, and it is hard to find people who are open minded about music. The point is that to progress you have to start reading, researching, and listening a lot."

She continues, "Back then I was OK with the idea of us being an obscure band, but after 15 years of doing this I just want our music to get out there." Sundown’s listeners agree. With a wider audience the chances of making a connection would be greater.

Guitarist Charles Fuentes is the latest addition to the line up and when asked about the scene today he has a different outlook. He says that there are more opportunities even if what is on the radio is a little tiresome. "I like the fact that all the bands have a chance to make it big," he says. " I’m all for that you know!"

Bassist Lawrence Chuapoco also shares a more positive viewpoint. "Well, maganda. People are very open to all types of music. Dati I had a death metal band and we were discriminated pero now ’di na." He agrees that the sad thing is that young bands usually sound like what they hear on the radio. "Can’t blame them kasi they are young eh, but as they get older naman I’m sure that they will try other forms of music. I started out as a diehard death metal fan!"

What is his advice to aspiring musicians? "Everyone is born with the groove. We all have it, but everyone has to work for it. Some discover it the minute they play, some discover it after a few years. Time is factor because it makes you mature. But the thing is to have that groove in sync with your life. Erase ‘giving up’ from your language. There is no such thing because giving up makes you stop, but life doesn’t stop you know?"

Lawrence shares what he thinks is the most important part of being a musician. "Control. There is a balance that should be met with having fun playing and making a living for one’s self." Words of wisdom if you ask me.

Music is their muse once the sun sets. Should listeners be lucky enough to catch SDM in their usual haunts like BigSkyMind, 6underground or in other venues around this vast metropolis, open your ears and ride their infectious rhythm and groove. Unforgettable, and downright tasteful, that is their sound; powerful enough to reverberate throughout the night. Sting once wrote, "... I couldn’t stand another hour of daylight." How true for us whose real lives begin after dusk.

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Thanks to Brutalgrace for the photos!