Firestarter

No, they’re not the song popularized by Kamikazee.. and definitely not the local super heroine’s alter ego…

Make way for NARDA…(thunder bolts and lightning flashes not included…)

Katwo Librando - vocals
Ryan Villena - drums
Tani Santos - guitar
Yaps Estagle - synths

Jason Caballa (band guitarist-Pedicab and music editor) wrote a feature in the October issue of Pulp Magazine about this group whose roots can be traced to indie rock, and now turning the tables for yet another ground-breaking reinvention of their beats. Theirs is an ensemble that primarily includes synthesizers, drums, guitars, (minus the bass) and a lady vocalist whose high pitched voice is even enhanced with a megaphone. Put it all together and you get a satisfying disco punk rock experience.

The band has evolved in fusing different musical influences, but still has a solid affinity to rock/ indie music. Proving they could rock, they are the recipient of the much coveted "In the Raw" award in 2003 NU 107’s rock awards.

Their brand-spanking new release Discotillon is irritatingly addictive. It is an 11-track album full of holler yet can bring your feet on the dance floor, a rush of noise in your ears but something you would want to play over and over, until, without notice, you just had your last song syndrome!

Pedicab’s music is almost similar to Narda’s; they could be siblings in the music scene, and definitely no sibling rivalry whatsoever. Pedicab pioneered in introducing this lively and smacking tune which gained popularity and recognition with the release of their debut Tugish Takish (winner of Best New Artist in 2004) from a bunch of music critics and almost anyone who has a flair for groovy beats and punk music. (whoever thinks that disco was a crime sure misses half of his life) Not to mention the funky music videos and use of brilliant lighting and effects which compliment their unique music genre.

Me and my friends witnessed their album launch last October in Saguijo, and oh gravity, that was superb! People were standing on chairs to see a glimpse of Katwo Librando, the band vocalist, complete with long eyelashes and that sexy little black dress by Kate Torralba, as she screams her heart out, with all-out spunk, angst, and total control over the microphone. Hand claps can be heard all over the venue after each song. A friend of mine even bought the album on that evening, and had it signed by one of its producers (Mike D. on drums-Pedicab and Sandwich) when we visited the NU booth during the First Set performance of Pedicab (I had mine signed too by the band members themselves) 

My personal favorites include: Ang Mitsa (Lagi nang ako…nahuhuli), Gasolina (Paandarin mo ako, paliyabin mo ako) Molotov (Hipan mo na ang salbabida) and 100 Taon (Isang daan taon, isang daang luha). Take note: all their songs are written in the vernacular. How patriotic!

Narda is under Terno Recordings (with Drip, Radioactive Sago Project, Paramita, Updharmadown, Juan Pablo Dream, Wahijuara), popular in the indie pub scene for taking rock music to a higher level, with prog rock, synths, electronic, vintage, and punk, which is believed to be the future of rock and roll.

Let’s funk this dancefloor baby!

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 28th, 2006 at 3:13 am and is filed under Music. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.