feature,
Indie OPM is definitely coming into its own name in the local music scene. Gigs have been popping up everywhere in Metro Manila and attendees have been jamming out to these new tunes. There’s something different about these bands that just gets their listeners hooked to their songs. It may be the complex, deep, and modern lyrics or the composition and melody of each number, but either way, they’re loved by many.
Want to get into today’s OPM but don’t know where to start? Here are five bands and artists that are sure to have you playing their songs on repeat:
Shirebound and Busking
Iego Tan, a singer-songwriter from UP Diliman is the man behind Shirebound and Busking. His songs are usually about what love feels like from afar. They’re the type you’d want to listen to when you want to think about your relationships. His music would be something you’d tune in to when you want to relax and calm your soul. It’s also great for bawling your eyes out for when you relate to his lyrics on a whole different level.
His songs “Lloydy” and “Pahintulot” were featured in JP Habac’s indie film I’m Drunk, I Love You which came out February this year.
Listen to Shirebound and Busking on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/shireboundbusker
Reese Lansangan
Reese Lansangan is obsessed with Japan and proper grammar. She’s mostly known for her music but she also dabbles in graphic and fashion design. She expresses herself through her songs along with her wit, humor, and signature vocals. Her songs revolve around topics ranging from silly internet things to deep reflections on life.
She definitely loves writing about outer space. Just listen to A Song about Space from her Arigato, Internet! album and you’ll see, or rather, hear. This has gotten her to places like Singapore where she landed a commercial for Hewlett-Packard Asia. She’s been awarded for her artistic works in the fields of music, fashion, writing, and graphic design. Her song “Exploration No. 5” was featured on a commercial for Sky Cable and was the opening track for the local movie Camp Sawi.
Listen to Reese Lansangan on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2JI8ViuZDBybY6Xd9ujUrb
She’s Only Sixteen
She’s Only Sixteen’s sound has a carefree vibe that just makes you want to bob your head or tap your foot to every beat. Their sound is definitely something to look forward to when you’re just getting into indie OPM as their style is a blend of different genres. It’s also perfect for a night out with friends in a music bar because their jams are best matched with good company and tasty drinks.
The four-man band consisting of Roberto Seña (vocals and guitars), King Puentespina (drums), Andrew Panopio (guitars), and Anjo Silvoza (bass) has undoubtly come a long way since they started jamming during their time in Ateneo de Manila High School. Inspired by bands such as The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, Radio Head, Sponge Cola, and UDD, they’ve learned how to not just play their instruments using their own style, but how to bring that all together to create harmony.
Listen to She’s Only Sixteen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4DJxOnO0aWZgdDYFVDyoKs
CRWN
King Puentespina isn’t just the drummer of She’s Only Sixteen but is also a producer and a DJ. If you’re in the mood to listen to a bit of lo-fi hiphop then CRWN’s got you covered. His tunes aren’t like many DJs in the music world who produce dance floor anthems but are something for chill nights and mild early mornings.
CRWN, pronounced as ‘crown’, is a play on the Atenean-turned-LaSallian’s name. Despite his band making music on the other side of the musical spectrum, CRWN enjoys both genres equally. He started CRWN as a personal project because it was his hobby and he wanted to practice making electronic music. People began enjoying what he made and now it resonates throughout the music scene.
Listen to CRWN on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Z7JSzWmroQi34J1yz833c
Ben&Ben
This band provides melodies that can either heal or break your heart. What differentiates Ben&Ben from other bands is that they integrate elements of Philippine folk music into their songs but they still have that pop feel to it. Their music is perfect for long drives or for nights where you share stories with your friends. They not only delight your ears, but they give your eyes a visual treat as well, since their album art adds extra flair to their work.
Ben&Ben was formed by twins and singer-songwriter duo Pao Gueco and Migs Gueco in 2015. It was only this year that they became an actual band along with the other members. Aside from the twins, Poch Barretto on electric guitar, Agnes Reoma on bass, Jam Villanueva on drums, Patricia Lasaten on keyboard, Keifer Cabugao on violin, Toni Muñoz and Andrew de Pano on percussion make up the band. They’ve performed in major gigs, different university events, and various music festivals and have represented the Philippines in Music Matters 2017, an independent music festival held in Singapore last September.
Listen to Ben&Ben on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4DAcJXcjX0zlQAZAPAx4Zb
There are many more indie OPM artists and bands out there creating different flavors for different tastes, waiting to be discovered. But for now, you can start creating your playlist from these artists and discover more as you go along! //Paola Pagulayan
Feature: 5 Indie OPM Artists to Bless Your Ears
Indie OPM is definitely coming into its own name in the local music scene. Gigs have been popping up everywhere in Metro Manila and attendees have been jamming out to these new tunes. There’s something different about these bands that just gets their listeners hooked to their songs. It may be the complex, deep, and modern lyrics or the composition and melody of each number, but either way, they’re loved by many.
Want to get into today’s OPM but don’t know where to start? Here are five bands and artists that are sure to have you playing their songs on repeat:
Shirebound and Busking
 |
| SIT DOWN, LISTEN. Shirebound and Busking in his music video for Waltz of Four Left Feet at the Vargas Museum in UP Diliman. Photo Credit: IDIOTERNE, INC. Ph |
His songs “Lloydy” and “Pahintulot” were featured in JP Habac’s indie film I’m Drunk, I Love You which came out February this year.
Listen to Shirebound and Busking on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/shireboundbusker
Reese Lansangan
 |
| FRESH. Twenty six-year-old singer-songwriter Reese Lansangan poses with merch from her latest album Of Sound Mind & Memory. Photo Credit: Reese Lansangan |
Reese Lansangan is obsessed with Japan and proper grammar. She’s mostly known for her music but she also dabbles in graphic and fashion design. She expresses herself through her songs along with her wit, humor, and signature vocals. Her songs revolve around topics ranging from silly internet things to deep reflections on life.
She definitely loves writing about outer space. Just listen to A Song about Space from her Arigato, Internet! album and you’ll see, or rather, hear. This has gotten her to places like Singapore where she landed a commercial for Hewlett-Packard Asia. She’s been awarded for her artistic works in the fields of music, fashion, writing, and graphic design. Her song “Exploration No. 5” was featured on a commercial for Sky Cable and was the opening track for the local movie Camp Sawi.
Listen to Reese Lansangan on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2JI8ViuZDBybY6Xd9ujUrb
She’s Only Sixteen
 |
| FOOD AND TUNES. The indie alternative band She’s Only Sixteen performs a set at Aida’s Chicken in Makati Cinema Square. Photo Credits: Toia Avenido |
She’s Only Sixteen’s sound has a carefree vibe that just makes you want to bob your head or tap your foot to every beat. Their sound is definitely something to look forward to when you’re just getting into indie OPM as their style is a blend of different genres. It’s also perfect for a night out with friends in a music bar because their jams are best matched with good company and tasty drinks.
The four-man band consisting of Roberto Seña (vocals and guitars), King Puentespina (drums), Andrew Panopio (guitars), and Anjo Silvoza (bass) has undoubtly come a long way since they started jamming during their time in Ateneo de Manila High School. Inspired by bands such as The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, Radio Head, Sponge Cola, and UDD, they’ve learned how to not just play their instruments using their own style, but how to bring that all together to create harmony.
Listen to She’s Only Sixteen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4DJxOnO0aWZgdDYFVDyoKs
CRWN
 |
| ROYALTY. King Puentespina takes the CRWN in the Filipino indie electronic music scene. Photo Credit: CRWN |
King Puentespina isn’t just the drummer of She’s Only Sixteen but is also a producer and a DJ. If you’re in the mood to listen to a bit of lo-fi hiphop then CRWN’s got you covered. His tunes aren’t like many DJs in the music world who produce dance floor anthems but are something for chill nights and mild early mornings.
CRWN, pronounced as ‘crown’, is a play on the Atenean-turned-LaSallian’s name. Despite his band making music on the other side of the musical spectrum, CRWN enjoys both genres equally. He started CRWN as a personal project because it was his hobby and he wanted to practice making electronic music. People began enjoying what he made and now it resonates throughout the music scene.
Listen to CRWN on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Z7JSzWmroQi34J1yz833c
Ben&Ben
 |
| MUSIC AND FASHION. Indie band Ben&Ben in their campaign for H&M Loves Music: Unplugged Sessions. Photo Credit: H&M |
This band provides melodies that can either heal or break your heart. What differentiates Ben&Ben from other bands is that they integrate elements of Philippine folk music into their songs but they still have that pop feel to it. Their music is perfect for long drives or for nights where you share stories with your friends. They not only delight your ears, but they give your eyes a visual treat as well, since their album art adds extra flair to their work.
Ben&Ben was formed by twins and singer-songwriter duo Pao Gueco and Migs Gueco in 2015. It was only this year that they became an actual band along with the other members. Aside from the twins, Poch Barretto on electric guitar, Agnes Reoma on bass, Jam Villanueva on drums, Patricia Lasaten on keyboard, Keifer Cabugao on violin, Toni Muñoz and Andrew de Pano on percussion make up the band. They’ve performed in major gigs, different university events, and various music festivals and have represented the Philippines in Music Matters 2017, an independent music festival held in Singapore last September.
Listen to Ben&Ben on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4DAcJXcjX0zlQAZAPAx4Zb
There are many more indie OPM artists and bands out there creating different flavors for different tastes, waiting to be discovered. But for now, you can start creating your playlist from these artists and discover more as you go along! //Paola Pagulayan
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