The Camerawalls
Encyclopedia
The Camerawalls is an indie pop
band based in Manila
, Philippines formed in 2007 by singer and guitarist Clementine
who is also the main songwriter of the band and the driving force behind the defunct band Orange and Lemons
.
In the interim and away from the spotlight, Clementine immediately formed a new band on September 2007 under the name The Camerawalls. A continuation of his songwriting prowess that manifested in his earlier works collaborating with old friends Law Santiago and Ian Sarabia.
To support The Camerawalls' releases and go as far as establishing full creative control and marketing his own music, Clementine also founded Lilystars Records, an independent record label determined to house the sensibility and aesthetics of indie pop music in the Philippines.
On March 2008, The Camerawalls released a sample of their music with an unofficial single "Markers Of Beautiful Memories" over the internet and slowly gained attention and following and eventually picked up by radio. With the release of the debut album "Pocket Guide To The Otherworld" on July 3, 2008 and success of the single "Clinically Dead For 16 Hours," The Camerawalls became an example of a remarkable music production in true indie spirit.
"Pocket Guide To The Otherworld" has become a landmark release that showed people what happens when contemporary indie pop meets good old Filipino sensibilities.
On February 22, 2010, The Camerawalls released a digital single called "The Sight Of Love." The new single marks an official return to the recording studios. The Sight of Love also features another artist from the Lilystars stable — vocalist Sarah Gaugler of electro-pop band Turbo Goth.
Two months after its release, Paolo Peralta and Ian Sarabia resigned from the band. Currently, Clementine and Law Santiago are working on The Camerawall's upcoming new album.
(traditional Philippine folk music) instrumentations in their recordings attributed to Clementine's exposure to his father's work as a Rondalla instructor. Prominent sections of Banduria and Octavina
can be heard on a number of songs especially on their remake of "Canto De Maria Clara," a Spanish poem written by Filipino writer and national hero José Rizal
which appeared on the novel Noli Me Tangere
(first published in 1887 in Berlin).
Some of the band's influences includes The Beatles
, Morrissey
, The Smiths
, XTC
, Belle & Sebastian
, Trash Can Sinatras, The Pale Fountains
, Terry Hall
, The Lightning Seeds.
Live Session Player:
Former Members
Indie pop
Indie pop is a genre of alternative rock music that originated in the United Kingdom in the mid 1980s, with its roots in the Scottish post-punk bands on the Postcard Records label in the early '80s, such as Orange Juice, Josef K and Aztec Camera, and the dominant UK independent band of the mid...
band based in Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
, Philippines formed in 2007 by singer and guitarist Clementine
Clementine (musician)
Clemen Castro , also known as Clementine, is a singer-songwriter and music producer from the Philippines. He gained recognition in early 2000 as the guitarist/songwriter/vocalist of Philippine indie band Orange & Lemons...
who is also the main songwriter of the band and the driving force behind the defunct band Orange and Lemons
Orange and Lemons
Orange and Lemons was a Filipino pop rock band formed in 1999. The band name "Oranges and Lemons" was initially recommended by a former member of the group. Apparently the band was not aware at that time that the name was actually derived from a British nursery rhyme and a title of an album by the...
.
History
From an indie status with a cult following back in 2003 to mainstream success and natiowide sensation in 2005 via a series of hit singles thru a major label, the news of Orange and Lemons breakup in 2007 largely laments the premature exit of Clementine from the music scene.In the interim and away from the spotlight, Clementine immediately formed a new band on September 2007 under the name The Camerawalls. A continuation of his songwriting prowess that manifested in his earlier works collaborating with old friends Law Santiago and Ian Sarabia.
To support The Camerawalls' releases and go as far as establishing full creative control and marketing his own music, Clementine also founded Lilystars Records, an independent record label determined to house the sensibility and aesthetics of indie pop music in the Philippines.
On March 2008, The Camerawalls released a sample of their music with an unofficial single "Markers Of Beautiful Memories" over the internet and slowly gained attention and following and eventually picked up by radio. With the release of the debut album "Pocket Guide To The Otherworld" on July 3, 2008 and success of the single "Clinically Dead For 16 Hours," The Camerawalls became an example of a remarkable music production in true indie spirit.
"Pocket Guide To The Otherworld" has become a landmark release that showed people what happens when contemporary indie pop meets good old Filipino sensibilities.
New Single and Line-up Changes
With a desire to improve their live performances, The Camerawalls acquired Paolo Peralta as their session guitarists on November 2009 and later on tagged as an official member as they continue to tour the outskirts of Manila.On February 22, 2010, The Camerawalls released a digital single called "The Sight Of Love." The new single marks an official return to the recording studios. The Sight of Love also features another artist from the Lilystars stable — vocalist Sarah Gaugler of electro-pop band Turbo Goth.
Two months after its release, Paolo Peralta and Ian Sarabia resigned from the band. Currently, Clementine and Law Santiago are working on The Camerawall's upcoming new album.
Musical Stylings
The Camerawalls is renowned for incorporating native RondallaRondalla
The rondalla is an ensemble of stringed instruments played with the plectrum or pick and generally known as plectrum instruments. It originated in Medieval Spain, especially in Catalunya, Aragon, Murcia, and Valencia...
(traditional Philippine folk music) instrumentations in their recordings attributed to Clementine's exposure to his father's work as a Rondalla instructor. Prominent sections of Banduria and Octavina
Octavina
The octavina is a guitar-shaped Filipino instrument with a tuning similar to the laúd.-History:With the large Spanish influence from the 16th to the 19th century, many traditional Spanish instruments became incorporated into the Filipino culture, and after passed time, have evolved into entirely...
can be heard on a number of songs especially on their remake of "Canto De Maria Clara," a Spanish poem written by Filipino writer and national hero José Rizal
José Rizal
José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda , was a Filipino polymath, patriot and the most prominent advocate for reform in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. He is regarded as the foremost Filipino patriot and is listed as one of the national heroes of the Philippines by...
which appeared on the novel Noli Me Tangere
Noli Me Tangere (novel)
Noli Me Tangere is a novel by Filipino polymath José Rizal and first published in 1887 in Berlin, Germany. Early English translations used titles like An Eagle Flight and The Social Cancer, but more recent translations have been published using the original Latin title.Though originally written in...
(first published in 1887 in Berlin).
Some of the band's influences includes The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
, Morrissey
Morrissey
Steven Patrick Morrissey , known as Morrissey, is an English singer and lyricist. He rose to prominence in the 1980s as the lyricist and vocalist of the alternative rock band The Smiths. The band was highly successful in the United Kingdom but broke up in 1987, and Morrissey began a solo career,...
, The Smiths
The Smiths
The Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
, XTC
XTC
XTC were a New Wave band from Swindon, England, active between 1976 and 2005. The band enjoyed some chart success, including the UK and Canadian hits "Making Plans for Nigel" and "Senses Working Overtime" , but are perhaps even better known for their long-standing critical success.- Early years:...
, Belle & Sebastian
Belle & Sebastian
Belle and Sebastian are an indie pop band formed in Glasgow in January 1996. Belle and Sebastian are often compared with influential indie bands such as The Smiths, as well as classic acts such as Love, Bob Dylan and Nick Drake. The name Belle & Sebastian comes from Belle et Sébastien, a 1965...
, Trash Can Sinatras, The Pale Fountains
The Pale Fountains
The Pale Fountains were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1980, and composed of Mick Head , Chris McCaffery , Thomas Whelan and former Dislocation Dance trumpeter Andy Diagram .-Career:...
, Terry Hall
Terry Hall
Terry Hall may refer to:*Terry Hall , English singer with The Specials, Fun Boy Three, The Colourfield*Terry Hall , English ventriloquist who worked with his puppet, Lenny the Lion...
, The Lightning Seeds.
Band members
- ClementineClementine (musician)Clemen Castro , also known as Clementine, is a singer-songwriter and music producer from the Philippines. He gained recognition in early 2000 as the guitarist/songwriter/vocalist of Philippine indie band Orange & Lemons...
(vocals, acoustic/electric guitars, banduria, octavina) - Law Santiago (bass guitar)
- Joseph Rudica (drums)
- George Carillo (electric guitars)
Live Session Player:
- Ian Zafra (guitars)
Former Members
- Ian Sarabia (drums)
- Paolo Peralta (guitars)
Discography
- Pocket Guide To The Otherworld (CD Album - July 2008 Lilystars Records)
- The Sight Of Love (Digital Single - February 2010 Lilystars Records)
- Bread and Circuses (CD EP - December 2010 Lilystars Records)