Listen to BLASTER’s
“DISKO FOREVER”: https://BLASTERSILONGA.lnk.to/DiskoForeverJP
Promising newcomer BLASTER has
recently joined the esteemed roster of Island Records Philippines, a domestic
label division under UMG Philippines, which is dedicated to helping the best
musical talent from the Philippines to achieve local success, whilst reaching
new audiences worldwide.
The lead guitarist and occasional
vocalist of award-winning band, IV of Spades will be part of an internationally
renowned label that includes some of the most exciting and future-forward
artists in the country such as Zack Tabudlo, Juan Karlos, Over October, Fern.,
and dia mate.
A&R Manager and Label Head of Island Records Philippines Bel Certeza recently expressed interest in working with BLASTER on upcoming releases that will showcase the multi-hyphenate’s core strength as both an artist and an innovator. “Island Records Philippines is looking forward to help and guide BLASTER to where he wants to take his music and vision as an artist. Releasing a body of work is in the pipeline but it’s not yet final as we’d also like to learn with him and his audience as we go along.”
Certeza, who used to be the former Road
Manager of IV of Spades, pitched the idea to BLASTER with the intention to
understand where he is now as an artist and where he wants to go moving
forward. After hearing what Blaster has in mind, she immediately presented how Island
Records Philippines can help bring his vision to reality. “After a series of
long Zoom calls with MCA Music Managing Director Enzo Valdez, we were able to
come up with a deal that caters to BLASTER’s integrity as an artist but also
something that would make sense to the label,” Bel shares. “And now here we
are.”
On the heels of the official signing is
the release of “DISKO FOREVER (Japanese version),” a retro-modern bop that
blends Manila Sound with bedroom electronica and avant-pop influences. Sung
completely in Japanese, the new iteration serves as a warm-up track to the
Tagalog version, which the young Filipino artist will be releasing soon.
With its groovy rhythms, art-rock
guitars, and eclectic arrangements, the genre-averse jam takes you back to the
dance floor in a time that doesn’t allow communal gathering. The delightfully
bittersweet track also doubles as a tribute to the golden era of Pinoy pop
music, and is reimagined for a new generation of listeners to enjoy.
BLASTER’s “DISKO FOREVER” is out now on all streaming platforms worldwide via Island Records Philippines and MCA Music Inc.
About Blaster
With a knack for making experimental pop
music that is characterized by immutable prettiness and bedroom-lite
production, Blaster Silonga is set to make a significant impact as one of the
promising young solo stars of his generation. As the former lead guitarist and
occasional vocalist for award-winning and commercially successful Filipino rock
band, IV of Spades, Blaster has endeared fans and peers in the industry with
his inventive but technically adept musicianship, often wielding his instrument
with the sophisticated cool of Nile Rodgers and the effortless edginess of
Johnny Greenwood.
Outside of his work with his former
band, Blaster has worked with several artists, including doing production work
for alt-R&B artist dia maté on the luscious summertime tune, “Dream,” and
jamming with artists such as Ebe Dancel and Hilera’s Chris Padilla at some
point in his career.
Now signed to Island Records Philippines
as a solo musician, Blaster is ready to release new music that strikes a
balance between remarkable restraint and sonic adventurousness, seemingly
inspired by outlandish personalities in music such as Radiohead and David
Bowie, and genres that range from art rock to space rock, funk to Japanese city
pop. So far, he’s is currently recorded demos for his upcoming releases, which
will see the light of day soon: there’s the deceptively simple “Disko Forever,”
which pays tribute to a glorious era in music, while also dressing it up with
woozily beautiful things this side of Krautrock and modern electronica, and the
lighthearted and gorgeous number “Nararamdaman” which showcases Blaster’s
minimal instrumentation and guitar/bass skills.
The 21-year-old singer-songwriter and
producer also reveals that he is channeling his daily life experiences and
random observations through music, purposefully aligning it with his brooding,
socially aware, and intimate worldview. His writing feels more personal and
honest this time around—not afraid to create artistic statements that double as
confessionals.
Follow BLASTER: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
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