How does it feel to have one's self-penned songs previously recorded—and popularized—by other artists, and offer them anew to the discriminating ears of the music-loving Pinoy public? The band 6cyclemind has the answer.
"Ang weird ng pakiramdam na nagkaka-pressure ka na gawin yung sarili mong [mga]
kanta, na sinulat mo, kasi ginawa ng ibang tao. Parang, ‘pa'no nangyari ‘yun?'"
shared drummer Tutti Caringal during the casual, intimate launch of their new
album, Project 6cyclemind, at Red Box
Karaoke in TriNoMa last July 15. "Napakabago sa amin nun."
He jokingly adds, "Alam mo ‘yun? Bad trip, hassle eh!" followed by a burst of
laughter from other band members. "Tapos, akala naman nung iba, nanguha na
naman kami ng song, hindi naman."
And why would they? With the members' impressive songwriting skills, other
artists even wanted and asked the them to write songs for their albums, aside
from writing songs for their own albums. Likewise, 6cyclemind also interpreted
their own versions of hits in some compilations, such as "Prinsesa," "Upside
Down" and "Dinamayan."
POP-ORIENTED, VIDEOKE-FRIENDLY. So for their fifth studio album, drummer Tutti, lead vocalist Ney Dimaculangan, rhythm guitarist-cum-backup vocalist Rye Sarmiento, lead guitarist Chuck Isidro, bassist Bob Canamo, and their sixth member, manager Darwin Hernandez gathered together all their previous "for-others" projects in one set.
"Most of the songs in Project 6cyclemind
are those that we came up with and gave to other artists. This time, we did our
own versions and combined them in one album," said Ney. Chuck added: "Some
songs were made and were recorded very early and we think that now is the perfect
timing for them to be heard."
The latest release coincides with the band's eight anniversary in the music
industry. The band's last outing was 2007's Fiesta!
Magsasaya ang Lahat, which churned out the hits "Aaminin" and "Saludo."
When asked how different the Project
6cyclemind compared to their previous albums, the band unanimously
described it as "videoke-friendly."
"I think it is more pop-oriented, more commercial, in terms of arrangement from
the originals to covers," Rye
said.
Ney pointed out: "‘Pag pinakinggan ng mga tao yung mga kanta, ilang ulit lang,
masasabayan na nila. At ‘pag tiningnan nila yung cover ng album, makikita nila
yung videoke scene, which conveys that the songs in the lineup are familiar
already kasi nga narinig na nila ang mga ‘yan, even before we did them for this
album."
No heavy rock ditties this time?
"No heavy guitars. But in certain songs, may ‘rakrakan' element pa rin, but
this time, more of upbeat yung tracks, pero hindi rin more of solid na gitara, though,
hindi naman kami talaga naging sobrang heavy," described Ney.
Project 6cyclemind is bannered by the carrier single "Walang Iwanan" which
they did in 2005 for an artist called Popfilter. The song also reflects who
they are as a band.
"We have been through challenges, the happy times and the tough ones, but
whatever happens, we are still together and will continue to be... Literally like
the song ‘Walang iwanan sa amin,'" Ney said.
SIXTH FOR FIFTH. The band revealed that their latest album was slated for their sixth release. "Sa totoo lang, naka-set na kasi ‘tong album na ‘to na pang-sixth. Naka-ready na talaga ‘yung fifth album, pati ‘yung seventh album namin. Nag-change of plans lang kami nung magre-record na kami sa studio. Naisip namin na ilabas ‘yung sixth album na pang-fifth, parang panggulat na rin sa fans and supporters namin," disclosed Tutti.
6cyclemind has achieved a lot since they were formed in 2001 and became
recording artists with their debut album, 2003's Permission To Shine.
Then up and coming artists (and now popular bands) approached them for some
help and they readily obliged. Callalily's debut release in 2006 included
6cyclemind compositions "Dream" and "Takpisilim." Moonstar 88 will be
remembered for one of their hits "Sa Langit," again, courtesy of the band. The
same goes for solo artists Danita, with her singles "If Only" and "Kung Wala Ka
Na," and Pinoy Dream Academy Season 1
finalist Chad Peralta for "Kasalanan."
The band's songwriting specialty also took their music to the television series
route via "Mahiwagang Pag-Ibig," interpreted by Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition alumnus Aldred Gatchalian for the
ABS-CBN afternoon series Love Spell, and
"Pangarap," a hit by Karel Marquez which was also used in a Koreanovela.
One of today's most in-demand bands that they are, 6cyclemind was included in The
Eraserheads tribute album Ultraelectromagneticjam,
where they recorded their own version of "Alapaap," as well as in the Hopia, Mani, Popcorn compilation where
they cut the Sampaguita track "Bonggahan." Likewise, the band took time to offer
social aid via "Sagot Kita," a song they recorded for the ABS-CBN Foundation.
Of course, who can forget the popular Tanduay jingle "Noon at Ngayon"?
These songs (save for "Bonggahan") are all included in the 12-track Project 6cyclemind. Other numbers
include collaborations with critically-acclaimed rap artist Gloc 9 and Wendell
Garcia of the band Pupil ("Kasalanan"), and with Maestro Ryan Cayabyab
("Takipsilim").
Project 6cyclemind is available in CDs under Sony Music.
TRACK LISTING:
1. Alapaap
2. Noon at Ngayon
3. Kasalanan (featuring Gloc-9 & Wendell Garcia of Pupil)
4. Pangarap
5. If Only
6. Mahiwagang Pag-ibig
7. Takipsilim (featuring Mr. Ryan Cayabyab)
8. Sagot Kita
9. Sa Langit
10. Dream
11. Kung Wala Na Nga
12. Walang Iwanan