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.
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As I was coming home from the gym, I passed by that guitar store at SM (in the midsection of the mall). There was a small crowd gathered coz someone was playing a guitar that was on display. I think he was playing something OPM, not really sure. Honestly, I have heard of modest mouse, flaming lips and sonic youth, but not familiar with their music (I’m more of a Moby/chill music person). Hey, maybe you playing and talking about them will make Davaoenos realize that there’s much more to Barbie’s Cradle or Parokya ni Edgar. And SM, despite the jarring commercialism, could unknowingly be the place to start doing it.
Unfortunately, unlike Andrew, I have not heard of those artists. But would like to be educated on it somehow.
Manila, Manila… I keep coming back to Manila… Simply no place like Manilaaaa, Manila I’m coming home! Daratdarara!!!
XD
Andrew: I’m shy! I don’t want to play in the middle of the mall. Hahaha.
Ria: Duly noted! Don’t worry, I’ll post something about them some time.
Abby: Damnit Abby! Hahaha, masama ka!
i would like like to second the motion that i also have not heard of the mentioned bands………poor me…..sniff….sniff…=(
ay mali!! isa lang na cya ka like ha???
See, they even made it into a song for you! HAHAHAHAHAHA! XD
i’ve heard of modest mouse and i like their sound, i’m just not that familiar with their songs so don’t bother asking me for titles.. haha… the other two.. err.. i’m not so sure. =)
anyway, i totally agree with you on the attitude of Davao people (as well as how people react here when you talk in straight English, or when you mention stuff that actually requires a bit of thinking! ahaha. i’m sure you get the point)..or people in general about music. Music really should be appreciated not just because it’s “hip”, “in” or whatever.. great music does outlive its hype. and genre or whatever decade it comes from doesn’t even matter. =)
Yeah.. music and Davao.. Davao and Music.. blah 0_o It’s like Davao people are programmed to think/like the same things… Robots I tell you!! harhar.. (procrastinating mode)
I’ve heard of flaming lips though but I can’t seem to remember their music, just the name.. Oh well.. gotta go back to eating my books.. hahay.. study napud..
Abby: Heck, that was the last thing I heard in a car radio there before I left for Davao. Gee. Come October nga!
Kristine: Be educated! Haha, gimme a blank CD I might burn you some songs.
Jasmine: You’ve got a point there. And on English and thinking, I don’t want to be all condescending but it makes perfect sense when you say how people react to people who talk in English straight. It’s not our fault! Hahahaha.
Camille: Time to give you some music lessons. *Rubs palms together*
You’re coming back this October? XD
Yep. October.
Modest Mouse and BSS are the shiznit.
I solemnly agree that Davao needs to have a music overhaul. We just can’t listen to Bonnie Bailey forever yo.