South Border signs with independent label
-by Joseph De Veyra
(E-mail the author at joedev18@yahoo.com)
source: balita.com
Photo by: Paolo Andres
SOUTH BORDER (from left): Saxophonist Ric Junasa, bassist Tata Balane, drummer Paul Benitez, keyboardist and musical director Jay Durias, guitarist Butch Victoriano, vocalists Duncan Ramos and Vince Alaras.
LOS ANGELES—The members of South Border have stayed in America for over a year now. It seems that they are now poised to conquer the mainstream arena. The band signed with Rasiah Records this month. Rasiah Records is an independent label that was founded in 2000.
The band is composed of keyboardist and musical director Jay Durias, vocalists Duncan Ramos and Vince Alaras, bassist Tata Balane, guitarist Butch Victoriano, saxophonist Ric Junasa, and drummer Paul Benitez. They are responsible for hits such as "Ikaw Nga," "Love of My Life," and "Kahit Kailan."
Rasiah Records, currently setting up and owning its own distribution system in Europe and Asia, aims to promote talents who are pure and true to their craft. The band is the first Asian talent Rasiah Records recognized who can deliver quality music. During the press conference, Jay said it was a good move for them to sign with an independent label because it gives them more control of the album. “We are very happy because it’s like the best of both worlds. They have the financial resources to promote our music while at the same time, they are giving us freedom on what we want to record,” he said. This is obviously true.
An album tour covering California, the mid-west and east coast is expected to kick off in early 2008.
Living together
“We feel refreshed,” Vince said when asked about their sentiments about being signed.
So what did they have to go through in order to reach this stage? “A lot. Just think about the sacrifices, risk-taking and depression,” he said.
On the other hand, Duncan revealed that all the members had to take day jobs to survive. “I cleaned houses and went into real estate,” he said. Duncan added that Vince became a cable guy while the others went into construction and other fields.
“We’re going towards mainstream so we might take a break from performing for the Filipino American community,” Vince said.
According to Duncan, they now live in a house located in Corona. “But we have different rooms para may privacy haha!” Duncan jokingly said. Vince added that being in the same structure with his bandmates produces a “creative atmosphere.”
So did they learn anything new about each other now that they are living together? “The scent in the bathroom!” Jay exclaimed. “But seriously, we got to know each other better now. This is good because this is what Vince and Duncan haven’t experienced yet. There was a time in 1994 when we all lived in the same house in Malaysia when Brix (Ferraris) was still with us,” Jay shared.
According to Jay, fans can expect to hear South Border with “a more enhanced sound” in the new album. “With regard to style, it’s still South Border. It’s an all-English album,” he said. The musical director revealed that they will also include South Border classics such as “Rainbow,” “Love of My Life,” and “Sweet.”
Jay said that they are currently recording “surprise songs” that are fast and upbeat. “We want to release an album that you would like to play in your car and in the clubs,” Jay said. He added that the album will be released by the end of the year of early 2008. “This will be distributed globally and various parts of Asia such as Japan and Singapore,” Jay said.
So do they feel any pressure now that they are diversifying their music on an larger stage? “Personally, I don’t want to feel the intimidation of the international scene. We just give our best in making this album. We give our heart and everything,” Jay said. He added that music shouldn’t be purely about money. “Recording should be a balance between artistry and the business side of it so we can come up with a great pop album,” Jay said.
So is there any conflict rising between the members of the band regarding the musical direction they will take in this new album? “Yes, a bit…But we just express it in the basketball court!” Duncan exclaimed. According to Jay, Butch is the best basketball player and Vince is the self-proclaimed ball-hog.
“Jay is hard to guard, he’s like Shaquille,” Butch said referring to the keyboardist’s advantage in height.
Maintaining their weight has also been an issue. “It’s hard to stay in shape especially that we’re always in the studio all the time,” Jay said. Butch on the other hand eats oatmeal regularly to keep his weight in check.
Going to Africa
South Border will also perform at the Independence Square in Ghana, Africa. They will perform at the event that commemorates Ghana’s role as torchbearer of African Independence on her 50th anniversary on Aug. 25. In addition, all proceeds will go to Unicef to support AIDS and health education in Africa.
“I want to see a lion!” Vince said jokingly. Jay said they are honored to have the chance to perform at the historic stage. The show will also feature international artists such as Kool and The Gang, Jermaine Jackson, Natalie Cole and many more.
“To be in the same stage with these artists, we will do our best to represent our nation to the fullest,” Jay said.
This is definitely just the start for this multi-awarded band. In the end, South Border’s success is a triumph for the Filipinos.
(E-mail the author at joedev18@yahoo.com)
source: balita.com
Photo by: Paolo Andres
SOUTH BORDER (from left): Saxophonist Ric Junasa, bassist Tata Balane, drummer Paul Benitez, keyboardist and musical director Jay Durias, guitarist Butch Victoriano, vocalists Duncan Ramos and Vince Alaras.
The band is composed of keyboardist and musical director Jay Durias, vocalists Duncan Ramos and Vince Alaras, bassist Tata Balane, guitarist Butch Victoriano, saxophonist Ric Junasa, and drummer Paul Benitez. They are responsible for hits such as "Ikaw Nga," "Love of My Life," and "Kahit Kailan."
Rasiah Records, currently setting up and owning its own distribution system in Europe and Asia, aims to promote talents who are pure and true to their craft. The band is the first Asian talent Rasiah Records recognized who can deliver quality music. During the press conference, Jay said it was a good move for them to sign with an independent label because it gives them more control of the album. “We are very happy because it’s like the best of both worlds. They have the financial resources to promote our music while at the same time, they are giving us freedom on what we want to record,” he said. This is obviously true.
An album tour covering California, the mid-west and east coast is expected to kick off in early 2008.
Living together
“We feel refreshed,” Vince said when asked about their sentiments about being signed.
So what did they have to go through in order to reach this stage? “A lot. Just think about the sacrifices, risk-taking and depression,” he said.
On the other hand, Duncan revealed that all the members had to take day jobs to survive. “I cleaned houses and went into real estate,” he said. Duncan added that Vince became a cable guy while the others went into construction and other fields.
“We’re going towards mainstream so we might take a break from performing for the Filipino American community,” Vince said.
According to Duncan, they now live in a house located in Corona. “But we have different rooms para may privacy haha!” Duncan jokingly said. Vince added that being in the same structure with his bandmates produces a “creative atmosphere.”
So did they learn anything new about each other now that they are living together? “The scent in the bathroom!” Jay exclaimed. “But seriously, we got to know each other better now. This is good because this is what Vince and Duncan haven’t experienced yet. There was a time in 1994 when we all lived in the same house in Malaysia when Brix (Ferraris) was still with us,” Jay shared.
According to Jay, fans can expect to hear South Border with “a more enhanced sound” in the new album. “With regard to style, it’s still South Border. It’s an all-English album,” he said. The musical director revealed that they will also include South Border classics such as “Rainbow,” “Love of My Life,” and “Sweet.”
Jay said that they are currently recording “surprise songs” that are fast and upbeat. “We want to release an album that you would like to play in your car and in the clubs,” Jay said. He added that the album will be released by the end of the year of early 2008. “This will be distributed globally and various parts of Asia such as Japan and Singapore,” Jay said.
So do they feel any pressure now that they are diversifying their music on an larger stage? “Personally, I don’t want to feel the intimidation of the international scene. We just give our best in making this album. We give our heart and everything,” Jay said. He added that music shouldn’t be purely about money. “Recording should be a balance between artistry and the business side of it so we can come up with a great pop album,” Jay said.
So is there any conflict rising between the members of the band regarding the musical direction they will take in this new album? “Yes, a bit…But we just express it in the basketball court!” Duncan exclaimed. According to Jay, Butch is the best basketball player and Vince is the self-proclaimed ball-hog.
“Jay is hard to guard, he’s like Shaquille,” Butch said referring to the keyboardist’s advantage in height.
Maintaining their weight has also been an issue. “It’s hard to stay in shape especially that we’re always in the studio all the time,” Jay said. Butch on the other hand eats oatmeal regularly to keep his weight in check.
Going to Africa
South Border will also perform at the Independence Square in Ghana, Africa. They will perform at the event that commemorates Ghana’s role as torchbearer of African Independence on her 50th anniversary on Aug. 25. In addition, all proceeds will go to Unicef to support AIDS and health education in Africa.
“I want to see a lion!” Vince said jokingly. Jay said they are honored to have the chance to perform at the historic stage. The show will also feature international artists such as Kool and The Gang, Jermaine Jackson, Natalie Cole and many more.
“To be in the same stage with these artists, we will do our best to represent our nation to the fullest,” Jay said.
This is definitely just the start for this multi-awarded band. In the end, South Border’s success is a triumph for the Filipinos.
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