The three-man band Malay is launching its debut album “Your Year” on Saturday at Saguijo and what many of you might not know, is that the record is already two years old. Digitally released in 2012, “Your Year” is finally in physical form—new songs, remixes, and all.
“Mabagal talaga kami mag-strategize because we are working musicians,” says Pochoy Labog, the vocalist and main songwriter of the band. He is a lawyer by profession, while his bandmates Miguel Dayanghirang (bassist) is a language instructor and Alden Abaca, a professional sessionist. We speak to him ahead of the launch.
Pochoy, that’s two years!
Oo nga e. [Not to mention] we wrote the songs in four years! We were working with Jorel Corpus who is in LA. He’s our producer, so mabagal talaga yung process.
Six years in all. What a slow burn.
“Halina” is a song in the album that preceeded even the band. Malay formed in 2009, I wrote that song in 2008. That was my song while I was still working in a law firm. Karamihan ng songs, about following your passion, [surviving] quarter life crisis. Kaya namin siya tinawag na “Your Year.”
Yes, I was going to ask about that.
It’s something my friends and I would say to each other every new year, “this is it! This is your year!” Pero wala rin naman talagang nangyayari, haha.
Okay, how did you go about the album, song-writing wise, recording-wise?
I wrote the songs. The band came in with arranging them. We recorded the vocals and guitars in my bedroom and then we’d email to Jorel and then he’d email back again and re-do what needs to be done. Kaya rin ganun ka-tagal e. Imagine, if we were in a recording studio with our producer, any time, he can cut and give his suggestions. Pero dito, we had to finish everything on our own and deal with time zones.
So, how different is this from the digital version?
We re-recorded “Halina,” “Lundag,” and “Breaking;” we put in additional tracks for “Anak ng Diyos,” “Pill Grim,” and “December.” The last three were remixed by Jor. “Disappear” and “Iba na Raw” are new songs so first time to record, mix, and master. Jorel actually rejected “Iba na Raw.” He said, “move on na, try writing other songs.” But surprisingly, it worked after a few tries and it’s now our favorite. Sobrang hirap niya gawin, na nung narinig ko na siya, parang naiyak ako, haha.
Pochoy, anybody who is familiar with your music career will notice Your Year is different. Instead of hearing traces of Rage Against the Machine, we thought we could hear Rico Blanco. Are we hearing right?
There are three Filipino musicians that I really consider as a huge influence on me. Rico Blanco, he’s a genius, lalo na doon sa Free album. Ely Buendia—yung narratives ng mga kanta niya, sobrang nakakarelate ang Pilipino. And Dong Abay, for being so real in his songs. Tumatak sa kin yung Filipino.
We like that you’re singing more here, too.
When I heard Maynard James Keenan [of Tool and A Perfect Circle] and Brandon Boyd, doon ko sinubukan kumanta. I sort of laid low on rapping.
Is it going to take you another 6 years to release another record?
Hopefully, hindi naman. Gusto ko, sulat agad. By October, sana nagsusulat na kami. We want to release an EP by next year.
“Your Year” (PHP300) is available in record stores. Swing by the launch on Saturday, 9pm at Saguijo, 7612 Guijo St., San Antonio Village, Makati.
Photo from Malay Facebook page
This story first appeared in Coconuts Manila.
