Bound by music
Karl Aries Emerson F. Cabilao
“We all love good music, good company and Love God above all things. We never start or end a gig without praying. I guess it’s the force which makes us stronger as a band and that’s how we will stay bonded,” says Michael Allen Pio Catubay, vocalist of Mic.Express.
Truly, the heavens heard their litanies after their first single. Their song “Again” earned admiration from the local listeners as it topped 92.3 Killer Bee’s countdown for 11 straight weeks the past few months. They’re really thankful to the Supreme Talent Manager above that they dedicated a song to Him, entitled “Ikaw Ra.”
Also, it is music to their ears when people, both friends and strangers, praise them for their craft and hearing people actually memorize and sing their songs. Well, it could be in the “livelier way” they render acoustic touch to mostly 80’s and alternative sounds where their public appeal lies. And yes, their music can unseat the most humdrum audience and bring him to the dance floor with jazzy and “danceable” tunes during special functions.
It is indeed a long way since Mic.Express played “publicly” for the first time in a family wedding during summer last year. That time, it was still Mike and guitarist Menard “Express” Soria, Jr. (thus the band’s name) manning the instruments. However, Mike admits, as “the gigs increased, there was need for a livelier and younger sound too.” This paved the way for metamorphosis, as the duo became an acoustic trio when they welcomed their youngest member, Kirk Anthony Tee, a nursing student at the Cebu Doctors’ University. He plays the kajon (beatbox).
Apart from being religious, common interests have kept the ties among the band members tight. For instance, Express and Kirk both love to play DOTA during their free time. And of course, there’s the long and close affinity to music as Mike is a “veteran” in playing with bands like Livewyre and Soundstream, while Express is a former band member and guitar instructor.
“The best thing being in Mic.Express is that I feel that we have so much in common and we jive well especially when we perform. We almost share the same wavelength in terms of passion for music. Apart from being performers, we are great friends,” says Kirk.
For a young group like Mic.Express, it’s always safe to dream and reach for the stars. The band wishes to have their second album and hopefully, “to hit Manila, if not the world”. With their strong bond and their constant prayers, nothing is impossible.