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Sunday, September 11, 2005
One on one with Imago
By Dennis E. Dungao
IT WAS one of those sleepless nights I got to switch on my TV to MYX, or was it MTV? With beer in hand and peanuts, I got to glimpse and listen to this catchy rock ballad that sent shivers down my spine. It was perhaps the melodic lines, meaningful words, or the lead singer's striking vocals, or was it just me - on my rare sentimental moments?
"Akap", with its pleading lyrics - "...sabihin sa akin/ lahat ng lihim mo, iingatan ko. Ibaling sa akin ang problema mo/ kakayanin ko," was sang almost in earnest by a pretty chic who has the ability to stare right through your eyes, and even through your very soul - well, what can I say? You would have expected a whisper in your ear inviting you to join her for a tea or two. (The last woman who stared me through the eyes long enough like that was a certain Dr. Cruz, my ophthalmologist. She told me to wear thick glasses, but never sang me a tune... and no, she didn't invite me fora tea or two either).
Seriously, "Akap" became my sort of lullaby from that day on, sending me each time in comfort to dreamland. Yeah, I even bought a CD!
I was in one of my lucky streaks again when I chanced upon Imago at SM City last September 2. They were to have a mini-concert, which was a treat by SM to its throngs of patrons every Friday of the month September aptly dubbed "Friday Band Blast". This rock act is responsible for that lullaby I so love, "Akap".
The whole Imago gang was there - Aia de Leon (guitars, vocals), Timothy Cacho (guitars), Myrene Academia (bass), and Zach Lucero (drums). So let me share with you some of the factual things about Imago - their music, their aspirations and their inspirations.
Sitting candidly at the dressing room at the backstage of the SM Entertainment Plaza, I got to notice that Aia was pretty and she was the most vocal in the group - but of course, she should be, no pun intended there. Zach was jovial, while Myrene casually smiled. We were almost done with our interview when another gentleman inched into the scene, and claimed to be Tim, lead guitarist. This was what came out of our interview, or what has become of it.
Sun.Star Pampanga (SSP): How do you find Pampanga?
Imago: Malinis. Maganda.
SSP: Why the name Imago?
Imago: It's the Latin word for 'Image', although it has really no relevance to what the group is trying to project - even our idealisms. We just find the word kinda cheesy (it was Aia answering, and I can't believe I was actually talking to the lady whose voice I came to listen to almost every night. To add more drama to it, 'Akap' was blaring from outside.)
SSP: When did Imago start?
Imago: It was in 1998. We were fresh out of college. Tim and I were schoolmates at UST. Myrene was from UP, while Aia was from La Salle. I started with the now defunct 'Hungry Young Poets', 'til we formed 'Imago'.- Zach
SSP: Who wrote 'Akap'?
Imago: Me. (It was Aia answering again, modestly and even timidly.)
SSP: Who do you think is your biggest inspiration in your music?
Imago: I like Tori Amos and Gwen Stefanie (Aia, again!). We emulate them, but not necessarily copy them. (The group were in a chorus this time.)
SSP: How will you classify your music? Will you be caught dead blathering a rap or dance tune?
Imago: Alternative, rock. We have nothing against show bands, really, but we don't do covers. (It was Zach, grinning impishly on the side.)
SSP: Any conclusions you would like to add concerning your music?
Imago: Rock and roll had evolved into quite a few genres to date - acid, punk, rap-rock, grunge, etc and we want to believe that our band is 'eclectic' - a little bit of almost everything under rock's banner. Also, Imago shall carry on making rounds and stamping their style in and around towns, from clubs to campuses to radio events to TV guestings. The band will continue to deliver what pleases this particular crowd of 'rakista', even satisfy listeners who aren't disciples yet.
Listeners first had a taste of Imago's music - which showcased various elements of pop, classical, Celtic, blues, rock and contemporary - in their launch album "Probably Not But Most Definitely" under Viva Records.
"Alay", the freshly disconcerting "Rainsong", the catchy "Otherwise", and the dreamy "Idlip" offered radio listeners very fresh sounds back then. Thereafter, the band had been nominated and received awards for different categories from different award-giving bodies, including Best New Artist and Album of the Year for the same album, while members Aia and Zach bagged the Vocalist of the Year and Drummer of the Year awards, respectively, at the 2001 NU Rock Awards. On another note, the 8th KATHA Music Awards sent the band home with the award for Best Alternative Album of the Year last 2001.
Definitely, Imago shall continue to make beautiful music that rocks. A third album is currently on the works. "Take Two," their second album, was released late last year in the market. Listeners and avid followers can once again sing along with their songs, especially with the released singles "Taning", "Akap" (which is still getting strong airplays and holding a prime position on radio countdowns), and the upbeat "Anino", whose video they currently finished under the lens of Quark Henares.
(I plan to have that signed poster they gave me framed. Thanks guys!)
Mail the author at supremo_babaylan@yahoo.com
(September 11, 2005 issue)
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