10/12/2020 08:54:09 PM
Through Island Record Philippines, One Click Straight gained new mindset and creative direction that drove them away from the trends of late 2010s.
They were once hailed for being the closest example of The 1975 through their brand of swabecore songs that launcehd their name to stratosphere, landing two records (1 album and 1 EP) and headlining counteless soldout shows in the Manila gig circuit. Since joining the major music label in July, the synth-driven candy-pop quartet had a new leash on life, with its first EP, serving as a result.
In a virtual presser with members of the media, OCS shared some stories on how their recent EP was made.
The 3-track record called S.S.H. – short for “Sumaya, Sumigaw, Huminga” – was initially launched in September, following their inclusion as members of the pioneer batch of artists signed under IRP. The title track is the band’s newest offering created while in quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Just like the titular single, the EPwas produced with limited gear and equipment that allowed Toffer Marquez (vocalist, bassist), Sam Marquez (guitarist, songwriter) Tim Marquez (drummer, songwriter), and Joel Cartera (guitarist, percussionist) to be more daring and throw out the “rules” of their usual creative process out of the window.
"One of the things that I want people to remember about the EP is that it's a statement coming from a hopeless situation, but with a hopeful heart." said Tim Marquez . “It's a hopeful outlook for the future as much as our lyrics are about missing someone, [whether] they passed away or something, and [about] frustration and anxiety.”
All in all, OCS claimed each song from the EP is their cry for freedom in the new normal where many feel restricted and stifled, just similar to the theme of its first single. Meanwhile, the second track Wag Mong Sayangin talks about making the most out of the time given to spend with one’s loved ones. The song notably features power chords, a nod to the band’s punk rock roots.
"I think a lot of artists suffer from this. We're all connected all the time 24/7, there's social media eh. So you're always fed with people's ideas and opinions, and that forms the way people write songs these days and the way they produce. Hindi naman sa parang they’re pleasing people, pero subconsciously, there's this thought na 'Oh,what would people think of this?'" Marquez also explains. "So when we did 'Wag Natin Sayangin,' which [has a] weird arrangement, andun kami sa zone na 'Well, I'm happy with it; let's release it.' And that actually started the wave of new songs."
Capping the trifecta of songs in the EP, Minsan (Palagi) speaks of the beauty and struggle of remembering someone special in one’s life. Keeping with the creative experimentation theme seen throughout the EP, this track was produced without the use of the electric guitar.
"We branched off into ‘Minsan’, which was also experimental din. We literally recorded it and made a sample with a microphone of my earphones." Marquez shares as well.
How SSH differed from their previous items in their discography? OCS claims the new EP had a different look with its edgier and darker album art; not just serving as a reflection of their grunge rock roots, but also of their motivation and emotions behind the music they are dropping.
“For this upcoming EP and the single, we just wanted to let loose and wanted to go all out, not really caring or not letting other opinions change what we feel,” Cartera paints a picture. “This resulted in more of a bahala na, messier look.”
With the message of staying true and finding hope in mind, One Click Straight goes beyond their music and into the realm of visual arts through a very special music video for ‘S.S.H.’ Directed by Simon Te, the MV comes in the form of a performance video of the band expressing everything that they have been feeling during their creation of their newest release.
Compliemnting the couple of new releases is the a website that displays art that One Click Straight has found inspirational while making their EP. Dubbed as Alone, but Not Lonely, the newly-launched website also showcased the documented process of how the band conceptualized and created the EP.
With the artistic mix of raw, honest music and digital visual art, S.S.H. is not just a treat to Nostalgics and all the other listeners the band has. The new EP is also One Click Straight’s reminder to everyone who needs to stay at home that despite the trying times, we can find hope, support, comfort and most especially joy in each other.
Author: slickmaster | © 2020 The SlickMaster's Files
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