JERCYN PAGLINGAYEN
Left: Kyle Quismundo (guitarist), Right: Cholo Hermosa (vocalist)
Despite what others might lead you to believe, OPM is alive and kicking in the indie music scene. Among the thriving local acts is Yolanda Moon, a two-man band that started in 2011. The unique beat of their songs Path, Smalltalk and Leaving Soon would really get you hooked and would totally be perfect for your Chill playlists.
Being the indie music fan that I am, I asked their front man Cholo Hermosa for an interview and guess what, he agreed! Here’s what went on in ultimate fan encounter.
Q: Where did the band name come from?
A: The band name came from a play on two original band names: Moonmanners and Yolanda (character from pulp fiction). After mixing the two names a bajillion times, we finally agreed on a phantom name Yolanda Moon.
Q: How did the band start?
A: It started from a song I wrote for my father entitled Smalltalk. It was a midterm project for a songwriting class back when I was in Benilde Music Production.
Q: What are your backgrounds?
A: Music all the way from age 12. :)
Q: What inspires you to make your music?
A: My favorite scenes in movies, the sources of my anxieties, and the questions I’m afraid to ask out loud.
Q: What’s your edge among other bands?
A: I think the upper hand of each musician is their identity because I believe it is defined not only by their influence/s but by their melting pot of bits and pieces from life.
Q: How did you start playing instruments or getting involved in music?
A: I started with the drums at age 12 when I was introduced to the game Percussion Freaks at the arcade. Every Saturday, I would spend my saved allowance for a few hours of tokens dedicated to percussion freaks. When I got better at following the patterns on the game, I asked my parents if I could start playing real drums, and they said “you have to learn how to read notes first before we buy a real drum set.” I took summer classes in UP then and got the drum set the year after for my grade school graduation. With the keyboard, it started with the curiosity on writing my own music. I played around with the early versions of garage band, traded a birthday/Christmas gift for a MIDI controller, took a few summer classes (again) and learned the basics. It eventually led to the curiosity on audio mixing/engineering and later on, music production school.
Q: Who were your inspirations to get involved in music?
A: My uncle Cesar Hermosa was a part of the ‘60s-‘90s band Black Opinion. When I was growing up, I’d always wait for my mom to pick me up after school in my uncle’s studio. Since there were no specific instruments left behind (aside from the amps and the drum set) I would always play around with the kick drum with my hands when I would get there early (before they rehearsed). In high school my inspirations were the upper batches. To be able to play in school masses, you had to prove to the upper batch that you belonged to the band club. During that time, I just tried to absorb whatever they listened to. Meanwhile, the music at home consisted of disco, soul and a lot of traditional jazz. Up to today, the music at home during my early years still serves as my go to jam.
Q: Among all your songs, what’s your favorite and why?
A: Light of Day Part 1 and 2. Part 1 because it has all the songs, progressions of the album songs. I worked hard to incorporate all the songs I worked with for Yolanda Moon since the birth (2012). Part 2 because I envisioned it as a fantasy party where I celebrate the new season of life. Growing up, and realizing that there is more to life than the sources of our very own tunnel visions.
Being the indie music fan that I am, I asked their front man Cholo Hermosa for an interview and guess what, he agreed! Here’s what went on in ultimate fan encounter.
Q: Where did the band name come from?
A: The band name came from a play on two original band names: Moonmanners and Yolanda (character from pulp fiction). After mixing the two names a bajillion times, we finally agreed on a phantom name Yolanda Moon.
Q: How did the band start?
A: It started from a song I wrote for my father entitled Smalltalk. It was a midterm project for a songwriting class back when I was in Benilde Music Production.
Q: What are your backgrounds?
A: Music all the way from age 12. :)
Q: What inspires you to make your music?
A: My favorite scenes in movies, the sources of my anxieties, and the questions I’m afraid to ask out loud.
Q: What’s your edge among other bands?
A: I think the upper hand of each musician is their identity because I believe it is defined not only by their influence/s but by their melting pot of bits and pieces from life.
Q: How did you start playing instruments or getting involved in music?
A: I started with the drums at age 12 when I was introduced to the game Percussion Freaks at the arcade. Every Saturday, I would spend my saved allowance for a few hours of tokens dedicated to percussion freaks. When I got better at following the patterns on the game, I asked my parents if I could start playing real drums, and they said “you have to learn how to read notes first before we buy a real drum set.” I took summer classes in UP then and got the drum set the year after for my grade school graduation. With the keyboard, it started with the curiosity on writing my own music. I played around with the early versions of garage band, traded a birthday/Christmas gift for a MIDI controller, took a few summer classes (again) and learned the basics. It eventually led to the curiosity on audio mixing/engineering and later on, music production school.
Q: Who were your inspirations to get involved in music?
A: My uncle Cesar Hermosa was a part of the ‘60s-‘90s band Black Opinion. When I was growing up, I’d always wait for my mom to pick me up after school in my uncle’s studio. Since there were no specific instruments left behind (aside from the amps and the drum set) I would always play around with the kick drum with my hands when I would get there early (before they rehearsed). In high school my inspirations were the upper batches. To be able to play in school masses, you had to prove to the upper batch that you belonged to the band club. During that time, I just tried to absorb whatever they listened to. Meanwhile, the music at home consisted of disco, soul and a lot of traditional jazz. Up to today, the music at home during my early years still serves as my go to jam.
Q: Among all your songs, what’s your favorite and why?
A: Light of Day Part 1 and 2. Part 1 because it has all the songs, progressions of the album songs. I worked hard to incorporate all the songs I worked with for Yolanda Moon since the birth (2012). Part 2 because I envisioned it as a fantasy party where I celebrate the new season of life. Growing up, and realizing that there is more to life than the sources of our very own tunnel visions.