Three OPM acts to watch out for in 2013

THIS 2013, there are three Original Pilipino Music (OPM) acts that you must watch out for. Young, talented, and oozing with mass appeal, they are a glimpse of the future of the Philippine music industry.

We’re talking about rock band Letter Day Story, balladeer-songwriter Myrus, and boy band 1:43 (pronounced as “one forty-three”). These three, who are all managed by public relations and social media expert Chris Cahilig, have been making waves across all media platforms.

LETTER DAY STORY, composed of rockers Aldrick “Dex” Yu, John Oliver “Oli” Agustin,  Chrisanthony “Not” Vinzons, and Emil Joseph “EJ” Arabit, won the Best Rock/Alternative Recording trophy at the 2012 Awit Awards for their song “Save Me.” They won over the other nominees, who are all more established and highly-respected bands and solo artists. 

MUSIC LYF: Rock legend Pepe Smith, Letter Day Story collaborate on “Salamat"

Pinoy Rock Anthem “Salamat”, one of the most unforgettable hits of legendary OPM band The Dawn, gets a charged-up tribute with its latest revival by the up-and-coming rock idols of Letter Day Story, which also features Pinoy rock icon Pepe Smith. The official music video is now on YouTube.

Letter Day Story members were naturally excited over the prospect of working with Smith for the recording of “Salamat”.  All of them, Dex Yu (guitars and lead vocals), NotNot Vinzons (guitars), Oli Agustin (bass and vocals) and Ej Arabit (drums), said they felt honored and thrilled.

“Siyempre, Pepe Smith na yan eh. Kung wala siya at ang ibang members ng Juan dela Cruz Band, wala sigurong Pinoy Rock ngayon. Wala rin kami,” said Dex.

Their version of “Salamat” retains the very relevant and very Pinoy message of the original but also creates a more contemporary sound that brings the OPM classic to a new generation of fans. The music video was shot in select areas in NUVALI, a sustainable and environment-friendly development by Ayala Land in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. 

MUSIC LYF: Tunog Natin Songs From Home Album

After Three successful  Tunog Natin! OPM Concert Series, its now time to bring it to another level with its first compilation album: “Tunog Natin! Songs From Home”.

Tunog Natin! Songs From Home gathers 16 of the most promising and established Filipino artists in a compilation album that celebrates the beauty of our very own brand of music.

Presented by Avida Land Corp., the album is composed of 10 tracks of authentic OPM music—three original tracks and seven covers of timeless songs that Filipino love. The album will exclusively be available in Astrovision and Astroplus record stores nationwide as part of the Tunog Natin advocacy to revive audiences’ appreciation for OPM.

“Coming out with a new album is definitely a huge step towards promoting OPM. The success of the three concerts has paved way to this new venture,” says Tess Tatco, Avida Land Marketing Head.

“The enthusiastic response of audiences to the Tunog Natin concerts is nothing less than inspiring for us. We’ve always supported efforts to promote Filipino culture and Tunog Natin, both the concert series and the album, is one advocacy that we are proud to be a huge part of,” adds Tatco.

MUSIC LYF: Tunog Natin! OPM concert series holds third leg at Market! Market!

AFTER the tremendous success of its first two concerts, “Tunog Natin! An OPM Concert Series” is back with yet another free musical gathering at Market! Market! in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) on October 21.

“Tunog Natin!” is a campaign that aims to revive the Filipinos’ interest for local artists and their records. The third leg of the concert coincides with the launch of Avida Land Corp.’s Avida CityFlex Towers BGC and Avida Towers 34th Street BGC.

“Tunog Natin 3 has a new set of performers that represent various music genres such as pop, rock, and RnB. This event is going to show how rich and diverse OPM is,” says gold record awardee Myrus, who is also the Project Head of Tunog Natin.