Archive for category Adventures
Hitchhiking Buda
Posted by Kim in Adventures, Dailies, Mindanao, The "South" on April 21st, 2009
On board the Red Ball Express
The road from Bukidnon to Davao is the last stretch for cargo trucks en route from other parts of Mindanao to the trade port at Sasa, and as told to us by manong ”Gerry” a driver of 12 years, it is the most arduous. The road is full of abrupt curves and rocky parts that ought to be driven on with caution, especially in the dark. Many deaths have occurred along this path and in Gerry’s career he can name a few of his colleagues. He laments as he points out an area with an abandoned truck at the side of the road, “Katong usa ka biyernes dara namatay tong kauban nako.” (Just last friday, one of my colleagues died right there). There was a black stain on the street that looked like mud, which Gerry morbidly insisted was blood.
Oh God, I’m back! (With tons of explaining to do…)
Posted by Kim in Adventures, Dailies, Events, Foreign, Local, Mindanao, Music, The "South" on July 20th, 2007
I have been going around Mindanao and have had little time to be in front of the computer in the most comfortable blogging position (which I argue is absolutely necessary, as I’m sure some of you might agree)! Moreover, I have been struggling to get some music back into my system at late since the climate of my career has not been very flexible on that extent. Seriously, I make an effort! I try to steal time to listen to Smashing Pumpkin’s newest album entitled, Zeitgeist, their come-back album with a sound reminiscent of old goddamn school 90’s rock. If you’re a purist and you’re about to start dissing grunge, close this window right this instant!
Anyway.
It’s been an interesting month, thus far. And I can say the same thing about the previous month. I went to Cagayan to check out the music scene there and quite frankly, I was impressed. My heart bled over the fact that the Cagayan music scene seems more enthusiastic and more, shall I say, formidable compared to Davao’s. Not that I’m dissing our locals, no no. My point is, I wish the scene here would grow in terms of musical taste, and maybe even music support.
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My Davao cuisine photo contest entry no. 1
Posted by Kim in Adventures, Dailies, Davao, Events, Food, The "South" on May 25th, 2007
This is my 1st entry for the Davao cuisine.
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The underground
Posted by Kim in Adventures, Davao, Local, Music on October 3rd, 2006
Over the week I’ve sat in conversations with my bandmates on stuff like how the Davao underground music scene is doing. Sad to say, the shape sounds pretty bad. It isn’t like last summer, when there were prime spots as to where underground bands could play, i.e. the now d’funked G Rock bar and Mastul. Seeing as both establishments closed down already, with Moonstomp as the only place condusive to the kind of music indie bands play (consider how the place can’t sufficiently accomodate the whole lot of a local indie crowd – which is pretty immense, mind you), then problems still pose itself for bands who want to come up with a successful gig. And by successful, the pre-requisites are pretty simple: We invest time and money over band practices just to get exposure and if possible enough money to buy booze to last the rest of the night.
Going along the vision to come up with a successful gig in spite of scarce incentives as well as problems on actually finding a venue, Davao indie productions Don’t Record Records and Red hat are teaming up for an Octoberfest gig. I say kudos to that, realizing how it’s hard enough to keep indie bands from staying together because of the lack of avenues and more so, making sure that the integrity of the kind of music they play do not sway to the masses or for venues that require underground bands to turn a leaf for the showbandish just so they can get a gig (i.e. Taboan or even San Miguel).
Reality tells us that Davao may have all the musical talent it requires to warm up a mature music scene, but there isn’t enough production force to keep the scene intact.
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Listening to a lot of Jeff Buckley lately. Personally, my take on Jamie Cullum’s jazz cover of Buckley’s Lover, you should have come over is more on the no no. Nothing can beat Buckley when he makes the most heartbreaking ballads I’ve ever heard. If you can call it a ballad.
Narda’s out in Davao by the way. CDs are available in the nearest Oddysey record stores near you.
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More announcements! I have gig with my band Tramonto at Myx-a-tune (Juan Luna St.) 7-ish up this October 14. Please support!
Extra-planetary life action
Posted by Kim in Adventures, Dailies, Davao, Indie, Local, Music, The "South" on September 10th, 2006
I almost forgot to mention about this new bar that opened up at McArthur Highway (right next to the old Petron gas station and in front of Ateneo high). It’s called Moonstomp and the place is very Mayrics-ish. I swear, I have found my Ibiza! It’s owned by one of the coolest people you notice around Davao city, if you get out enough.
Last night, they had party punk acts and some electronica. The only band whose name I caught was the one my friend Pink was with, Gravity 404. Loved their set (or at least half of it, because that was all I caught up with). In any case, it’s actually peculiar that I suddenly had the urge to text Jaenor (this guy who has been asking me to session for their band, who I’ve never met in my life) to ask if the offer was still up. And the next day he replied and told me that it was still open. The weirder part is, he was actually in Moonstomp the night I was there and he was with the band I just mentioned. Whoohoo. So at least I know I’m with the right people. (Smiles.) Can’t wait for Wednesday’s jam session.
I really want to start a shoegazer band, but I don’t think anyone’s in to that here. Which reminds me, I miss my bandmates! One’s in Cebu, another’s in US, and then another’s in Manila. Come on, give me a break kids. Davao’s the place to be at this point. We ought to warm up on the scene here.
Interesting? Condescending!
Posted by Kim in Adventures, Dailies, Music on September 8th, 2006
I joined a DJ hunt for UR97 just for kicks and for some reason, I’m actually looking forward to advance in this thing. I mean, the way I see it, if I start working as a jock, I’d be earning money. And the money can go to things I want to spend on for example, a ticket back to Manila. Yes, I’m doing the math already.
I mean, how did that go? If my audition meant anything, it certainly would not be nerve-racking. It’s strange enough that it was all too natural to me. Talking. Talking. Talking. And music seemed like a surplus of thought rather than a forefront, because it’s like my second nature already. I was already thinking about how immensely exciting it would be to get to host rock shows if ever I get in. I mean, beat free tickets, y’all! More bands to review for this website!
Okay, okay, maybe I’m getting too excited and I might get my own medicine by not making it eventually. I’m supposed to hear about the results later, but something tells me that if they don’t find anyone promising from the DJ hunt they’ll be holding in other schools – well, well, well.
I’m doing my math already.
Missing out on the scene
Posted by Kim in Adventures, Dailies, Foreign, Music on July 29th, 2006
I do this sometimes: I go around Davao city and walk in to music stores and start “checking the merchandise”. What I actually end up doing is playing a guitar on display. Sometimes, I get inquisitive looks as to whether I decide to buy the guitar or not. Most of the time, the owner or someone gets impressed. There have been times that I get offers to join a band but I always decline. And in more instances, a crowd gathers around when I end up jamming either by myself or with other people who happen to be in the same store.
A while ago, I skipped P.E. class to do this at where Perfect Pitch used to be in G-mall. (It’s called Sound Chaser now, which must be an outlet of the Sound Chaser in Quirino.) In any case, I finally got to play a guitar after months of being utterly deprived. God. I need a new guitar fast and I need to start playing in gigs and stuff.
Before I left Manila, I actually got to play in some joint in Katipunan. The crowd was lovely and were just fun to be with. They were laughing and were actually talking back when I tell them some nonsense about being a probinsyana in the big city. I really miss that scene. I wish I could play in front of a crowd like that here. Here in Davao, I always end up with an unappreciative audience who incidentally can’t get any of the pseudointellectual things I say. (Maybe I’m at the wrong place, any recommendations?) Mind you, in one of my gigs here, I tried mentioning indie bands in my little talks in between people just goggled at me. In Manila, I got applause and “Oh yeah”s from the audience when I mention bands like Modest mouse, Broken Social Scene, Flaming Lips and Sonic Youth as my influences. Here, I don’t get applause unless I play my usual Barbie’s Cradle covers or some really, really familiar song of some really, really familiar female artist. Grr. I wish Davaoenyos would appreciate music that rightfully deserves musical merit rather than give more premium on what is considered “hip” or “hot” tracks of the moments. Remember, great music outlives its hype.
www.kim.southisms.com
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