Sponge Cola and their dream collaborations
In line with their successful collaboration with Gary Valenciano, Pinoy rock band Sponge Cola looks forward to working with other artists including diva Lea Salonga.
"Hindi ko alam kung paano mangyayari 'yon (recording a song with Lea), but I'd like [that] to [happen]," said Sponge Cola lead guitarist Erwin "Armo" Armovit in a recent interview.
Erwin imagines the collaboration to be "a ballad with string [arrangement]," adding in jest that having "a flying carpet" (referring to Lea's participation in the OST of Disney's "Aladdin") around when they do won't be such a bad idea.
Yael Yuzon, the band's vocalist, amplified Armo's wishful thinking.
"Kailangang gumawa ng next generation na 'A Whole New World.' 'Yon din kasi 'yong nami-miss ko sa Disney, 'yong mga songs," he said.
Other artists the band hopes to work with are Hotdog, Megastar Sharon Cuneta, OPM legend Rey Valera, "Wowowee" host-singer Willie Revillame, and novelty songsmith Lito Camo.
Yael recalled working with Gary on the song "Ayt!" He said that doing so not only touched him on a professional level, but on a personal one.
"I had stopped praying at one point because hindi naman ako religious, but [working with Gary] had me praying again."
Sponge Cola talked about the prevailing trend in the OPM scene. Asked about the popularity of Tagalized English pop songs nowadays, Sponge Cola claimed to be unperturbed, saying that Filipinos' predilection to novelty music is cultural.
"Maski mga bata ginagawa 'yon, eh. Ever since bago lumabas 'yong Michael V album ('MTB: Myusik Tagalog Bersyon') long time ago---grade school ata kami or high school---ginagawa na talaga 'yon," said Yael.
Surprisingly, they also appreciate such artists as Lady Gaga and Katy Perry.
"Exciting sila. Their presence in the scene opens up possibilities for musicians, at ngayon na nag-break na siya (Lady Gaga) ng boundaries, people really dig it," Yael said.
Instead of thinking of competition, Sponge Cola is more interested coming up with "the best song ever."
"'Yon 'yong challenge sa amin: to put out songs that will outlive us."
Their eponymously titled third album allowed Sponge Cola 14 attempts to hit that goal. Released in September 2008, the band considers the songs in the CD as musical testaments to everything they've been through.
The band recently released a repackaged version of "Sponge Cola" which features the new versions of "Puso" and "Di Na Mababawi" as well as "Ayt!" and "Closer You & I."
"Kaya kami nag-repack kasi kapag tinutugtog namin 'yong bagong version ng mga songs, sinasabi sa'min [ng mga fans] na, 'Tsong ang lupit! Labas niyo naman 'yon,' or 'Saan ba namin makukuha 'yon?' Ayaw naman nilang i-bootleg kasi feeling nila they would be stealing from us," Yael explained.
It can be recalled that drummer Chris Cantada left Sponge Cola in August due to health reasons.
"He was in and out of the hospital, [so] he had to leave talaga. But we still work together. He's our sound engineer," Yael related.
Stepping into Chris' shoes is Ted Mark Cruz, a long-time friend of Yael, Armo, and Gosh Dilay (bass).
"Nakakasabay na nung dating band ko ang Sponge Cola, back in college. Dun kami nagkakasabay sa café sa Ateneo [de Manila University] na tugtugan place. Mga totoy pa sila [lahat nun]," Ted recalled.
Ted will record with the rest of Sponge Cola on their next album which Yael said should be out by next year.
"I've already started writing songs for the next album. Eh na-'Ondoy' pa 'yong mga guitars namin, so piano na muna 'yong ginagamit namin [sa pagsulat ng kanta]," said Yael.
Sponge Cola will perform live on Nov. 7 at UNO H.S. Binondo, Manila, and at Chalk UAAP Victory Party at White Space, Pasong Tamo; Nov. 11 at a Nokia Event at Magnet in High Street Bonifacio; Nov. 12 at Sazi's bar (formerly Mayric's); Nov. 13 in Dumaguete; Nov. 14 at the "Nescafe SoundSkool" event at Ninoy Aquino Stadium and at Folk Arts Theater; Nov. 15 at Robinson's Imus, Cavite; Nov. 20 at SM Manila and at Eastwood Mall; Nov. 21 in Tawi-tawi; Nov. 23 at "Myx Slam Jam" at Adamson; Nov. 26 on "Myx Mo!;" Nov. 27 in Tagum City; Nov. 28 at St. Mary's, Bulacan and at Robinson's Metro East; Nov. 29 at Robinson's Dasmarinas; and Nov. 30 at the Ynares Gym.