The Highs and the Lows: The band’s (extra) ordinary journey
THE MEMBERS of Madeline – RB Bandiola, Jerome Faustino, Jesser Sison, Shan Regalado and Madeline – are back with a new song and video due out via Yellow Music Room on September 27.
“‘Sayang’ is a song about moving on from a past heartbreak,” says songwriter RB. “It’s about exploring the emotions of moving forward while dealing with a sense of regret as you recall the memories from the relationship.”
He adds, “I wrote the lyrics and developed the initial musical arrangement. During rehearsals, the other band members suggested adjustments to the arrangement to enhance the song. Everyone contributed to shaping the final version. After finalizing the arrangement in rehearsals, we moved on to the recording process. Once recorded, the song was sent to a sound engineer for mixing and mastering to add the finishing touches.”
MNL Online News recently had the chance to speak with Madeline, Jerome and RB to talk about the good life and life’s surprises, solitude, regrets, and what they are grateful for this year….
Hi, guys. How have you been? Hope you are feeling over the moon…
MADELINE: I’ve been doing pretty good. Been spending a lot of time outdoors lately, camping solo and just enjoying nature. It’s been my little escape from the real world. [Smiles.]
JEROME: We’re all good and we’re working on a new material to be released soon after this song “Sayang”.
RB: We’re doing well and have been working on creating new material over the past few weeks.
Months after your “Kaya Kong Mag-Isa” launch – how are you enjoying your journey so far?
MADELINE: Things have been pretty hectic since then! Everyone’s been busy with their own lives. I’ve been diving into my corporate stuff, RB was off in Zamboanga for his dad’s funeral and some family time, Jerome just got married, and Shan’s been busy with Mayonnaise. But it’s been a fun ride so far.
JEROME: It’s great to be working with an amazing group of people with a lot of creativity musically. We kind of fuel each other into making meaningful and catchy music that resonates with us individually.
RB: Creating music has become more productive. Each member has made significant contributions to both the musical arrangements and the songwriting process.
Can you elaborate more on the process of “Sayang”, please.
MADELINE: So, ‘Sayang’ was a collaborative effort. RB wrote the lyrics, and the band took care of the music. Jerome was the wizard behind most of the guitar parts, while Jesser handled the keyboard parts. It was a real team effort, and we’re really proud of how it turned out. Release date is on September 27. We’ll be having our single and music video launch on the same date. For more details, please follow our socials @madelinemusicph.
JEROME: The inspiration of the song is to have a mellow new wave/alternative vibe, so I helped with the song inputs and arrangements and eventually after a few rehearsals we recorded our tracks in the studio.
Can you also elaborate and talk about the music video for “Sayang”?
MADELINE: So, the music video for ‘Sayang’ is basically inspired by the movie TED. It’s about how people’s opinions matter, but they shouldn’t define your worth. The music video is kinda creative. It’s got this vibe with lights everywhere and people moving around nonstop. Jeremy Abaño directed it, and Charles and Me were the producers. Yellow Room Music also gave them a lot of support on this video. It’s a really creative video that captures the energy of the song perfectly.
Just curious, what do you consider your greatest Sayang?
MADELINE: Honestly, I’ve made a ton of blunders. But looking back, they’ve shaped who I am today. I’ve had my fair share of regrets, but at the end of the day, choosing happiness and surrounding myself with awesome people has been a game-changer. Solitude’s been a lifesaver too. [Smiles.]
JEROME: For me, it would be the time I didn’t spend with my mother. I wish I had spent more time with her when she was still here. So, for those who still have their parents, make time for them. Bond with them, ask them stories and anything about life. You’ll be grateful soon when you do that.
RB: My greatest “Sayang” is the trust and loyalty I invested in someone I believed would not squander them.
Artistically and musically, how do you go about selecting which song to put up to and release?
MADELINE: Picking the right tracks to put out can be a real head-scratcher. You gotta think about the listeners, the vibe, and whether the genre still resonates. It’s a balancing act between staying true to yourself and keeping up with the times.
JEROME: We select songs that have a strong recall and are easy to relate to, especially to those who can’t put into words what they really feel about someone or something. Musically, I think it is important that the song resonates with us personally. If it feels authentic and emotionally compelling to you, it’s likely to resonate with the listeners.
RB: Practically, we select songs that have the strongest recall, considering the melody, lyrics, and their relevance to current listeners. Musically, we aim to ensure that the arrangement and other elements are aligned with the popular sound of today’s music.
What are some other goals you have – personally and professionally – that you want to accomplish before the year ends? Other expectations?
MADELINE: That’s a tough one! I just want to keep things simple, you know? Be happy, stay healthy, and surround myself with people who make me laugh and support me. Professionally, I’m hoping to learn a new skill and maybe to continue my masters degree. So yeah, I’m just hoping to have a peaceful and stress-free year!
JEROME: Personally, my goal is to be healthier than last year. As a musician and work-from-home based individual since the pandemic happened, I became stagnant and got less time moving around and doing physical activities unlike before when I had to go to our physical office. So, more exercise and cardio this year. I think it helps when you are in shape so you can give your best performance on the stage when you do gigs and concerts. [Smiles.] Professionally, we aim to be more inspiring and have a rewarding experience through our music career.
RB: Personally, I hope our songs gain greater recognition among OPM enthusiasts. I also aim to enhance my writing and musical composition skills. Aligned with my bandmates’ goals, I anticipate that our growth as musicians will become more inspiring and rewarding. [Smiles.]
Finally, what are you most thankful for this year?
MADELINE: I’m grateful for my amazing family and friends who’ve stuck by me through thick and thin. My career’s been a wild ride, and I’m so thankful for my day job and the band. Our loyal listeners, our manager Charles Mangubat and our label Yellow Room Music, have been absolute rock stars! They’ve supported us through everything, and I hope we can repay their faith by reaching even more listeners before the year ends. [Smiles.]
JEROME: First and foremost, I am thankful for my wife Nicky. She is my number one fan and believer. The best support system I have, she makes me want to be better each day. Secondly, Charles Mangubat, for his passion and dedication to the band and for believing in us as well. Thankful for my bandmates, for pushing each other to be better and create more music that inspires people of all ages. Lastly, I thank God for the gift of talent that made me what I am today. [Smiles.]
RB: First, I am grateful to my bandmates for their support throughout this challenging musical journey. I also want to thank our manager, Charles Mangubat, for his selfless dedication to the band. Most importantly, I appreciate my family for consistently backing me through the highs and lows of my musical career.
Mark your calendars on September 27 for the single and music video launch of “Sayang”. For more news and updates on Madeline, follow @madelinemusicph
