Illumina is a Groove metal band from Philippines. The group consists of bassist Mark, drummer Patchie, Guitarists Mikko and Dong, Vocalist Jah.
Interview conducted on August 30, 2020
By Dan Locke
What is your upbringing?
Jah Zell: -Our band focuses on some technical styles. We do this by lots of practice, brain storming of riffs. What part of each member will do with riffs, or how will they take in the riffs by their own idea.
How did you discover music?
-Regarding discovery of our music, we listen to different genres, get some ideas, compress the ideas then create a music we agreed on.
How did you start to write music?
-We start to put a story to it. Jah writes our music by what is happening in reality. Basically tragic, or people’s way of living.
You have been around since 2017. What was your first performance at like?
-The most like performance we had was in Bicol province. (part of the Philippines) It’s a tour. While we’re playing the crowd really goes wild. Everybody squeezing just to get in front of us. Do some headbanging then the crazy shits happening circle pit inside the bar. Energy was flowing!
What was the title of your first original song?
-Poverty is our first original song. Soon to be recorded.
How did you start the band?
-Illumina started as covers and nu metal genre until evolved into some groove with a bit of technicality.
How the band did get its name?
-We put up this name because we want to enlighten the people, wake them up, change them.
How is metal music in the Philippines?
-Metal here in the Philippines is so alive. Every metal scene here is awesome. Productions keep it alive, crowd, friends, support each other’s band, just like that.
What is Metal Night at Dside Bar?
-Metal night in darkside bar, well it’s a gathering. No other genres. Just pure metal. Any sort of metal subgenre. Just metal for every one.lol
Tell me about your album which was released in March?
-Our album illuminate still ongoing construction. We have some songs to polish for the clean record.
What is your favorite track on the album?
-Patchie: Illuminate. I put some descent drumming on it. Grooves is what this song with a punch on Ithaca
How do you stay healthy while touring?
-Like what other bands pros or not, a good sleep, good food, refresh the brain so to avoid mental block during our performance and a lil alcohol. Hahaha
What are you’re feeling about streaming music?
-It helps a lot. It is how you share your music.
Digital vs. vinyl?
-As today digital is very useful. Vinyl’s yeah it is how they share their music back in the day. It is also collection or memorabilia both.
In my opinion not the president but the dept. surrounding this media platform. A simple understanding like this like owning a company but no renewal of the contract. Sort of like that.
How can public help the doctors and nurses on the front line?
-We people in public need to, i mean strictly follow these simple rules. Stay home, go out if you need to buy your needs, Wear a mask, follow social distancing.
Do you think kids should go back to school his fall?
-Every school worldwide is preparing online class.
it’s a gamble if they still need to go to school since other countries including us here in the Philippines using it as a quarantine area due to shortage of hospitals facilities.
What song from the past is in your mind right now?
-Poverty.
Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
-From the title itself, it’s the reality every country is facing as of now together with this corona virus pandemic. People lose their job which limit every people to sustain their everyday needs.
How do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
-it causes a huge impact on every musician. Concerts pay a lot for every band. Limiting this is very hard.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
-Patchie: I still need to stay healthy. Learn some techniques on drumming.
Here in the United States the President Trump is thinking about shutting down TikTok. What do you feel about the app. TikTok?
-I’m not a fan of it. So, I’m not that affected. Hahaha
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
-it’s an old hobby. Cycling.
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. What are you planning to do?
-Since no events going to happen, we would do the same thing. Use the internet to play live.
Live Nations just started Live Nation from Home. Which are concerts from artist homes. An all-new virtual music hub keeping fans connected to their favorite artists featuring daily live streams, performances, new music and more. Do you think it will be possible to make a living doing concerts this way?
-Yeah but it’s not like 1 click and money is here. Still, you need to work your way on top to get a notice or to get subscriptions to get paid.
Live Nation is starting to do the first ever U.S. drive-in concert series — LIVE FROM THE DRIVE-IN — which started on July 10, 2020. Now there are many other Drive-in concerts popping up. Do you think this is something you would be willing to do?
-Why not? For the fans to show how dedicated we are on our music.
For smaller bands who do not play large crowds, this is not really an issue. How do you see bands going back to smaller venues and doing things like play for the door, with no guarantees?
-This is how every band starts. Every band have experienced this. So, it’s just the same. Play like it’s the last of your performance.
With Social Distance being the norm. Do you feel that it maybe the end of music fest for the next couple of years?
-Yeah, I think. Because we need to follow the rules. 2 years is not that too long to wait. Once this is over better to ready your pocket for the concerts coming. Hahaha
You played at 2017 Sizzling House at the start of the Lockdown. In addition, right after you played the Philippines were locked down. What were you thinking about the virus the night you played the show?
-At first it was alarming and hoping it would not affect us musicians. Not just us but everybody around the world.
What are your feelings about how the President of the Philippines is handling the virus?
-If i put myself on the president’s place, it’s very hard doing all the necessary actions just to save everyone in my country.
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
-It’s a pricy thing for small bands like us, but for the bands already on top, it’s easy.
How do you see yourself in the next five years?
-We’ll be performing and touring all around the world!
Anything you would like to say in closing.
-Illuminate Music video is out now!
We’re very glad to be apart of Unrated Magazine. Big thanks for the overwhelming support! More power to y’all! And If you are reading, thanks for the time you spent with us! I hope you and your family are safe and well during these times.
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