In the energetic music scene of Cotabato City, a kick-ass, pop-punk band is slowly emerging. Describing their music as “melodic Indian experimental Pop Punk”, Tamago, an eight-member band, is at the forefront of this innovative genre. Led by Mark Anthony Moro on vocals and fueled by the collaborative efforts of Chester Pasajol and Jhizun Gentelizo on backing vocals, Diether Pagala, Chino Gellada, Joshua dela Cruz on guitars, Aljon Basilan on bass, and Jhimuel Salazar on drums, Tamago’s music creates a refreshing and dynamic listening experience.
To gain deeper insights into Tamago’s creative process and their latest single “Daloy,” we were able to communicate with Mark Anthony Moro, the band’s lead vocalist to learn more about the band’s collaborative approach to writing this emotional yet motivating song.
Q: You mentioned on your Spotify that you’re an Indian Experimental Pop Punk band. Can you explain what this genre is more? And how do you balance Indian Experimental and Pop Punk in your music?
Anthony: About sa genre namin na “Indian Experimental Pop Punk”, nagkaroon lang kami ng biruan kasi si Chester ay… Mukha siyang Indiyano kahit pure siyang Pinoy, nagkaroon kami ng joke about Indian Experimental Pop Punk, parang ganun. Pero ang pinaka-genre po talaga namin ay para siyang “Novelty Pop Punk”, at the same time, gumagawa rin kami ng parang pop punk na may pagka-punk rock, ganun.
Yung sa novelty pop punk, nakikita ko yun sa unang single namin na “Hindi Sapat”, binabalance namin yung comedy, songs, parang catchy lines na sobrang generic lines na maho-hook yung mga tao sa simple lyrics. Kaya parang sabi ko, parang novelty pop punk tong una nating single.
Tapos, sinagawa namin, binabalance pa rin namin siya ng maayos na (music). Kaya nabuo namig yung second song namin na “Daloy”, and doon namin nabuo yung pop punk and novelty pop punk yung unang single namin.
Q: With eight members in the band, how do you collaborate and ensure everyone’s input is heard during the songwriting and recording process?
Anthony: Sa 8 members… Yun, nung una medyo nahirapan kami paano namin ma-highlight yung bawa’t isa na hindi pwedeng wala lang, gano’n. Gusto namin magkaroon ng part bawa’t isa. So si Chester yung may pinaka-mataas na note sa boses. So, naisip namin na siya yung laging mag-second voice sa mga kanta namin at ako sa main vocals. Si Jason, sa spoken poetry. May mga songs kami na medyo na spoken, na medyo nakakabighani or nakakatawa. Ganun
Si Chino ang pinaka-head namin so pagawaann ng bawat tunog na gusto namin masabi na kakaiba sa iba. Gusto namin magkakaiba yung tunog namin sa ibang band, sa pop punk. At yung ibang members namin ay nagtutulong-tulong sila para sa iba’t ibang klase ng tunog na pwede namin ilabas kasi pare-parehas kami mga nagsisimula pa lang din sa ganitong (tunog) genre.
Kaya ayun, nag-enjoy kami sa bawat ginagawa namin everytime na maglalabas kami ng song.
Q: Could you walk us through the creative process behind “Daloy”? How did the song come together?
Anthony: Nung nasulat ko yung “Daloy”, mahaba siya e. Nag-start ako sa isang tula at hihimayin ko siya kung ano yung pwedeng maging chorus na tatatak sa tenga ng iba. So nilatag ko, sabi ko meron kaming song. ‘Meron tayong bagong song which is yung “Daloy”. Sana magustuhan niyo.’
Medyo naguluhan sila kasi ang expected na song na susunod ay connected dapat dun sa single na “Hindi Sapat”. Pero sabi ko, ‘Why not gawin nating balanced? Gawin natin na yung una yung novelty and same time yung malinis na pop punk na makaka-relate yung ibang tao.’
So nag-agree sila, six minutes, na-cut yung ibang lyrics; ginawa namin yung ibang parts na mas maganda – at doon nabuo yung “Daloy”. Nagkasundu-sundo kami, ginawa namin siya ng tunog na sa tingin namin ay babagay dun sa kanta.
Q: Could you walk us through the creative process behind “Daloy”? How did the song come together?
Anthony: Ayun, bago ko siya sinulat, dumadaan din ako sa pagsubok nun. So, sinubukan ko din talagang palakasin yung loob ko at sinusubukan kong lumabas sa comfort zones at pumunta sa mga lugar na hindi ko pa napupuntahan. Tapos ayun, nabibighani talaga ako na – natutuwa ako na ang dami ko pang hindi nakikita at ang dami ko pang gustong makita na sobrang sarap palang mabuhay, sobrang ganda ng nakikita ng mga mata natin.
Hindi lang nature, yung mga damily natin, kung may anak ka man or anuman, sobrang nabuo yun dahil sa mga nararamdaman ko at nakikita ko.
Q: What do you hope listeners take away from “Daloy” after listening to it?
Anthony: After listening (sa) “Daloy”, gusto lang namin ipahatid sa inyo na kahit anong mangyari, kayanin niyo lang palagi, subukan niyong libangin niyo sarili niyo. Hanapin niyo kung saan kayo pwedeng maging masaya. Hindi man sa pagpunta sa nature or kung anuman, hanapin niyo kung saan kayo pwedeng maging masaya at kung saan kayo magiging masaya. Huwag na huwag niyong susukuan ang problema – kayanin niyo lang palagi.
Q: How does “Daloy” fit into the larger narrative or themes of your upcoming projects or album?
Anthony: Yung mga susunod kasi naming kanta is about soul-searching talaga at paglabas sa comfort zone. May mga nakadikit talaga sa “Daloy” na story. Sana matuloy yung plano namin. Madami pa kaming palabas na song na kapatid ni “Daloy” na gusto naming abangan ng mga listeners at mga magiging listerners namin at makatulong kami sa iba pang mga tao.
Ayun lang. Gusto lang namin mag-send ng message din through music. Pagpapatuloy namin yung paggawa ng ganong klaseng kanta, at tingin ko ay na-aangkop pa yung “Daloy” at sa mga susunod naming kanta sa ilalabas naming album at iba pang projects. Hindi mawawala din siguro yung pagsulat namin ng novelty songs.
As Tamago continues to carve its path in the music industry, their latest single Daloy serves as a testament to their creative evolution. With a message of resilience and self-discovery, their music resonates deeply with anyone who’s been having a hard time with their life, encouraging them to keep pushing forward and to make an effort to find happiness in their own way. I don’t know about you, but this song definitely got me headbanging just from the intro.
So, what are you waiting for? Stream “Daloy” on Spotify and follow Tamago to continue being updated on their latest music!
Follow Tamago
About the Author
Inspired by her love for pop punk, post-hardcore, and metal, Rae Irene Bartolome (or Rae, as her friends call her) grew up in Metro Manila dreaming of having her own band. A graduate of De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde in Hospitality Management, she now works as an Executive Assistant. Rae spent her school years immersed in music, writing band fanfictions on Wattpad. She’s a concert enthusiast, especially for All Time Low, and hopes to catch Alex Gaskarth’s attention one day. She enjoys cosplaying, gaming, and you can easily be her friend by offering a drink or singing lines from her favorite bands like All Time Low, Pierce the Veil, Sleeping with Sirens, or Bring Me The Horizon.
