Manila’s music scene has come a long way. With an interesting schedule of festivals and DJ performances across the country, it’s hard to deny that we live in exciting times.
While majority of party-goers are perfectly content with fist bumping to familiar Billboard tunes, there are movers and shakers who showcase the depths of Fiipino talent with their craft. More and more local DJs, for example, are getting interested in underground electronic music.
Coconuts Manila caught up with Miguel Libre and Raphael Carbonell to give us a picture of what it’s like being a young DJ in the underground music scene. They are from a new generation of house and techno DJs who play in various events and venues around Manila. Both have played alongside international DJs and industry heavyweights. Miguel has opened for Ostgut Ton artist and Berghain resident DJ, Answer Code Request as well as Japanese techno legend, Ken Ishii, while Raphael has supported Gabriel I, Roscius, and soon, Eric Volta.
Miguel and Raphael will play in the upcoming Fete dela Musique where more than 200 local artists will perform in 20 independently organized pocket stages around Makati. They will be at Time in Manila for the electronica stage on Saturday, June 18, 4pm.
Tip: listen to this promo mix they created for Coconuts Manila while reading their interview.
What got you into DJing?
Miguel: It was five or six years ago when Mark Nicosia of LooperBeat Academy (now Bounce Electronic Music & DJ School) discovered my inclination towards electronic dance music. What was supposed to be an exchange deal between my now-defunct music blog and his DJ school ended up with me getting DJ lessons for free! From there, everything else followed.
Raphael: Around three years ago, I was part of my college’s contemporary dance company. However, I had to give up dancing because of my thesis. When I gave up dancing, I started craving for that adrenaline rush when performing live on stage. DJing filled that gap in my life that is why I got addicted to it.
What are the things you gave up for your craft?
Miguel: Sleep! Most of our parties would start at 11PM and end not earlier than 8AM the next day.
Raphael:When I started working, I had difficulty in balancing work with DJing. I took weekday gigs as a stress-reliever and it negatively affected my performance at work. But now, I’ve found that balance between work and DJing.
Can you tell us about the DJ community in the Philippines?
Miguel: It’s a closely-knit community, especially for us the underground house and techno DJs. In a nutshell, the veteran DJs are still at their A-game, while the newer DJs are stepping up. We also have DJs who have played in shows outside the country, while more and more expatriate DJs contribute to the artistry and development of the scenein the Philippines. Exciting times to be honest.
Raphael: The country’s clubbing industry has attracted international attention because of the hard workDJs put into pushing their music, regardless of genre. There are a lot of very talented and nice DJs despite the community being small.
What makes Filipino DJs different from others?
Miguel: Despite veteran DJs in the 90s, such as Groove Nation andNatural Born Klubbers (NBK), have paved the way to where we are now, our scene is still relatively young compared to Europe’s or Japan’s. Given that our music is heavily influenced by the West, specifically, the United States, I believe identifying that “Filipino identity” in dance music is still a challenge. I’m not saying localartists have not done anything, but from an external perspective, we, as a community, are stillworking on that so-called unified imprint or identity.I have high regard to Japanese DJs and producers because they have already established their imprint in the electronic dance music scene. You’ll know a Japanese producer made a particular track because there’s just something that will let you say, “It’s Japan printed all over this track.” We’re getting there, which is why we live in exciting times.
Where do you see it going in the in future?
Raphael: There’s no way but up. As long as we support each other and educate the people around us with the music we love then we’re on the right roller coaster ride.
You’re also an organizer of SUBVERSE. Can you tell us about that?
Miguel: SUBVERSE is our flagship underground house and techno event that happens at TIME in Manila usually third Saturday of the month. We have been doing this for two years now and have been lucky to have guested top-notch foreign and local artists such as Dale Anderson(Global Underground), Ryan Pamatmat (Plastic City, Bassworks Recordings, etc.), Erickson Ong aka. Mulan, among others. We’re also stepping up the international bookings whileat thesame time working double time in scouting fresh talent in the country.
Raphael: SUBVERSE is a night where we express ourselves through music by creating an atmosphere ofpure bliss and deepness for our patrons. SUBVERSE is also an avenue for me and Miguel to take risks in terms of music and keep on pushing the music welove to support the house and techno scene in the country. Our event is also our way of reaching out and serving as catalysts to the younger generation to let them know that there’s more to good music beyond what gets played on the radio or what gets listed on the Billboard charts.
What is your advice to those who want to take up DJing in the future?
Miguel: First, have a vision and exert 10X the effort in making that vision a reality. Second, be a purveyor and not just a consumer. Third, take risks and never settle. Fourth, never forget thepeople who helped you. Fifth, cooperate and do not compete.
Raphael: It’s never too late to start DJing. My advice for those who want to DJ: be unique, have a musical direction, be dedicated, never stop learning, be humble, and be grateful.
*Fete dela Musique is happening on June 18, Saturday. It will have two main stages at A-Veue Parking Lot and Greenbelt 3. There will be 20 independently-organized pocket stages around Makati.
