MATAGAL ang 20 taon para maabot ng isang musician ang mainstream success, pero mukhang na-enjoy naman dito si Noel Cabangon.
Naisabuhay na ng singer-songwriter na ito ang buhay ng isang troubadour, tumutugtog sa maraming maliliit na club sa iba’t ibang lugar at kinakalinga ang folk-rock music lovers ng kanyang mga kantang may malalim na kahulugan.
Hindi huminto si Noel sa pagtugtog nang tuluyan silang maghiwa-hiwalay ng mga kabanda sa Buklod, na siyang nasa likod ng activist anthem na “Tatsulok” (na lalo pang pinasikat ni Bamboo) at ang Kanlungan (na ginamit pa sa TV commercial ng McDonalds).
Nagpatuloy din siya sa pagsulat ng mga kanta at naglalabas ng kanyang mga album.
Pero kuminang ng husto si Noel sa inaugural ni Pangulong Aquino noong 2010 kung saan niya kinanta ang “Ako’y Isang Mabuting Pilipino.”
Mula noon ay lumawag na ang exposure ni Noel at inilabas niya ang “Biyahe” at “Panaginip”— dalawang album na pumatok sa pop chart at lalong nagpatanyag sa kanya.
Kumuha na rin siya ng manager, si Butch Dans ng Third Line, na siyang humawak sa career ng Apo Hiking Society sa nagdaang 40 taon. Siya ang nasa likod ng unang major concert ni Noel na gagawin sa Disyembre 2 at 3 sa Music Museum.
Ang iyong major label album na “Biyahe” at “Panaginip” ay bumenta na nangangahulugan na nakuha mo na ang mainstream success. Sa palagay mo ba ay lumawak na ang iyong fan base at nakasama na dito ang bagong henerasyon ng mga mahilig sa kanta?
Yes, it has definitely expanded. The mainstream allowed me to reach out to a bigger audience. Gusto ko rin yon, para marinig yung iba kong mga kanta. Universal Records gave me that opportunity.
One indicator is my Facebook fan page. Surprisingly a lot of them are from the young generation. I didn’t expect it, but I guess “Byahe” really paved the way for me having young fans.
Ikaw ay isang opisyal ng Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit na naging aktibo ngayong taon. Ano ang pinakamalaking problema na kinaharap nito?
The group is saddled with organizational concerns and challenges. We already had a session on redefining our role, not only in the music industry but in society in general.
As an organization, OPM is always mistaken as the advocacy. Though we will always push for the advancement and development of OPM (Original Pilipino Music), the organization has to clarify its reason for being.
We need to organize Filipino singers and qualify the kind of support that the organization can extend, especially their welfare and benefits.
OPM President Ogie Alcasid is very active and determined to bring the organization at the forefront of the music industry.
Ikaw ay aktibo rin sa mga environmental campaign gaya ng Puerto Princesa Underground River na nagtagumpay na maging seven wonders of nature. Ano pa ang iba mong advocacy at bakit?
I’m also involved in the campaign for the passage of the Reproductive Health (RH) bill. It is imperative that Congress approve it. I’m likewise active in the peace campaign, as well as the debt cancellation campaign of which I’m directly involved as a board member of the Freedom from Debt Coalition.
I am now an ambassador of the Save the Philippine Rivers campaign.
I’m going to put up a foundation that will continue to advocate good citizenship. My song “Ako’y Isang Mabuting Pilipino” will soon be an art foundation. I collaborated with Team Manila to support this endeavor. We recently released some merchandise for sale to beef up its funds.
Tumugtog ka na sa maraming maliliit na club sa bansa. Maaari mo bang pangalanan ang ilan na ikinokonsidera mo na iyong ikalawang tahanan?
’70s Bistro and Conspiracy. I’ve been a regular performer at ’70s Bistro since its infancy. It gave me a challenge to get better as a musician.
Conspiracy allowed me to get in touch with my loyal fan base and nurture them. I consider my Wednesday gigs at Conspiracy as my regular job.
My Brother’s Mustache keeps me grounded to my roots, which is folk music. I think it is the only remaining folk house in Metro Manila.
Ikuwento mo naman ang tungkol sa iyong Music Museum concert at kung bakit si Bob Aves ang napili mong makasama rito?
It’s called “Simpleng Musikero”—my major concert for the year. I’m coproducing it with Thirdline, which now manages my career. I promise it will be a different music experience for both the fans and those who will watch me for the first time.
I will have a full band backing me up, plus a string section.
This concert is for people who just want to listen to good music. I miss those concerts where we don’t need to have too many spectacles.
My wish for the audience is to enjoy the show so much that they will talk about it when they get home—like discuss the songs and their arrangements, and get to know who Bob Aves is.
I chose Bob to be the musical director because he’s a genius. I wanted him to explore the other possibilities of my songs and my music. I also wanted him to come out and be seen and heard by people, so they’ll be aware that there’s such a great artist.—Inquirer
Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Bandera. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.